Former Premier League manager Alan Pardew demands major rule change over ‘incredibly soft’ second yellow cards
ALAN PARDEW has recommended a major change to the Premier League’s rules surrounding second yellow cards after controversial decisions in recent weeks.
The former Crystal Palace and Newcastle boss has called for change after Takehiro Tomiyasu’s sending off against Crystal Palace last week.
The Arsenal full-back was sent off for two yellow card offences – one for time wasting and the other for a pull-back on Andre Ayew.
Gunners fans were incensed about the decision and felt that it was an extremely harsh reason to completely change the dimension of the game.
There has also been controversy around referee John Brooks’ decision not to dismiss Trent Alexander-Arnold for similar offences during Liverpool’s 2-1 win over Newcastle at the weekend.
The Reds’ defender was booked for throwing the ball away, but didn’t receive a second yellow card moments later after using his arm to block off Anthony Gordon whilst Newcastle were counter-attacking.
And ex-Premier League boss Pardew thinks he knows how to resolve the issue going forward.
Rather than two yellow cards leading to a player being sent off for the remainder of the game, Pardew thinks a 20 minute sin bin could be the answer.
Speaking on TalkSport, he said: “I think it [two yellow cards] is a lesser offence in my opinion than a straight red.
“And I think when you get a yellow card and then a second yellow card – I think it should be a sin bin.
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“And I think it’d be good for the game. A guy goes off for 20 minutes like they do it in rugby union. I think it’s 10 minutes in rugby union.
“You go off for 20 minutes and It gives the advantage to the opposition for that period and then they come back on and the game carries on.”
The proposed rule would be a drastic change to the current approach and would mean the advantage given to the opposition is massively cut short.
But it could see referees change the way they approach second yellow cards and deal with each offence individually rather than taking a previous card into consideration during their decision.