There have been some complaints about aggressive slide tackling by some teams in BRCL games over the last two seasons. A slide tackle, correctly applied, is a thing of beauty and no risk to either player. A slide tackle, when incorrectly and inappropriately applied, is not only a serious foul, but also risks injury to BRCL players. It is extremely important that all Coaches and Players understand the Laws of the Game (LOTG) as they apply slide tackling so that fouling and the potential for injury is minimized within our league. The BRCL is committed to providing an environment where fair play and the safety of its participants is job 1.
We encourage the referee community to apply these LOTG appropriately and maintain control of all BRCL matches.
Let's look at FIFA Law 12 (Fouls and Misconduct):
Direct Free Kick
A direct free kick is awarded to the opposing team if a player commits any of the following six offences in a manner considered by the referee to be careless, reckless or using excessive force:
A direct free kick is also awarded to the opposing team if a player commits any of the following four offences:
An indirect free kick is also awarded to the opposing team if a player, in the opinion of the referee:
Serious foul play and violent conduct are two sending-off offences in Law 12 involving unacceptable levels of physical aggression.
Serious Foul Play
A player is guilty of serious foul play if he uses excessive force or brutality against an opponent when challenging for the ball when it is in play. Any player who lunges at an opponent in challenging for the ball from the front, from the side or from behind using one or both legs, with excessive force and endangering the safety of an opponent is guilty of serious foul play.
Violent Conduct
Violent conduct may occur either on the field of play or outside its boundaries, whether the ball is in play or not. A player is guilty of violent conduct if he uses excessive force or brutality against an opponent when not challenging for the ball. He is also guilty of violent conduct if he uses excessive force or brutality against a teammate or any other person.
Note these two pieces of advice by the USSF:
12.8 MAKING CONTACT WITH THE OPPONENT
Making contact with the opponent after touching the ball while performing a tackle does not necessarily mean that a foul has not been committed. The declaration by a player that he has in fact played the ball is irrelevant if, while tackling the ball, the player carelessly, recklessly, or with excessive force commits any of the prohibited actions.
12.3 CARELESS, RECKLESS, INVOLVING EXCESSIVE FORCE
"Careless" indicates that the player has not exercised due caution in making his play. If the foul was careless, simply a miscalculation of strength or a stretch of judgment by the player who committed it, then it is a normal foul, requiring only a direct free kick (and possibly a stern talking-to).
"Reckless" means that the player has made unnatural movements designed to intimidate an opponent or to gain an unfair advantage If the foul was reckless, clearly outside the norm for fair play, then the referee must award the direct free kick and also caution the player for unsporting behavior, showing the yellow card.
"Involving excessive force" means that the player has far exceeded the use of force necessary to make a fair play for the ball and has placed his opponent in considerable danger of bodily harm. If the foul involved the use of excessive force, totally beyond the bounds of normal play, then the referee must send off the player for serious foul play, show the red card, and award the direct free kick to the opposing team.
Which of these expressions of the FIFA Laws of the Game might apply to slide tackling? I think we can look to:
In many slide tackles, the player is usually trying to play the ball. But if their initial or secondary effort results in a dangerous play, it is a foul. If the opponent is kicked prior to contacting the ball, it is a foul. If the slide tackle impedes or trips the opponent it is a foul. If there is contact with the opponent before the ball, it is also a foul. So slide tackles aren't just fair or foul play. They are fair when executed without committing any of the actions listed above. And they are foul when they result in one of the above-listed outcomes.
The BRCL does not discourage or encourage slide tackling with this communication. It is the position of the BRCL to provide, in partnership with the referee community, an environment in which the Laws of the Game (LOTG) and the Spirit of the Game are honored by all coaches and players. Repetitive abuse of the LOTG by Coaches and/or players will not be tolerated. A coach is responsible for his/her players.