Yellow card to be automatic for criticising football referee

Football players who criticise the referee during a game will immediately be given a yellow card, the Dutch football association said on Friday.


The measure is currently part of KNVB rules but is not always enforced, RTL news reported.
The rule will be enforced after the winter break. A second incident will result in a red card, the KNVB said.
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The rules state the team captain is the only player allowed to question the referee about a decision. Trainers will also be restricted to giving instructions via the dug-out and will also face sanctions if they criticise the referee.
‘In short, it is irrelevant if the decision is right or wrong: coaches and players have to simply accept it,’ the KNVB said.
The get-tough policy follows the attack on linesman Richard Nieuwenhuizen, who died after being attacked by a group of youth players.

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