The triple penalty - is it fair?

Apparently UEFA will be investigating whether to change the current law after the controversy in the two champions league matches this week. I'm can certainly see the point, as right now a player who performs a foul to deny a goal scoring opportunity -

-Concedes a penalty
- Is sent off
- Is banned for the second leg

What it does more often than not is ruin the match. Personally I would split it in two - if the foul takes place in the box and thus a penalty is given, only a yellow should be shown. If the goalscoring opportunity was outside of the box and thus no penalty is given, the player should see red.

It's an interesting one. These last two nights have shown though that something needs to change. Fair enough, both committed challenges, but I think a penalty and, say, 20 minutes 'sin bin' should be enough.

Red614 wrote:Apparently UEFA will be investigating whether to change the current law after the controversy in the two champions league matches this week. I'm can certainly see the point, as right now a player who performs a foul to deny a goal scoring opportunity -

-Concedes a penalty
- Is sent off
- Is banned for the second leg

What it does more often than not is ruin the match. Personally I would split it in two - if the foul takes place in the box and thus a penalty is given, only a yellow should be shown. If the goalscoring opportunity was outside of the box and thus no penalty is given, the player should see red.

I can see your points Red, but even allowing for the the importance of such games, the punishment is still less severe than that doled out in English League football for the very same offence, when 3 game bans are enforced. It does pose a very good question though, where else does a person get punished 3 times for one offence?   

Red614 wrote:Apparently UEFA will be investigating whether to change the current law after the controversy in the two champions league matches this week. I'm can certainly see the point, as right now a player who performs a foul to deny a goal scoring opportunity -

-Concedes a penalty
- Is sent off
- Is banned for the second leg

What it does more often than not is ruin the match. Personally I would split it in two - if the foul takes place in the box and thus a penalty is given, only a yellow should be shown. If the goalscoring opportunity was outside of the box and thus no penalty is given, the player should see red.

Isn't there a fine in there somewhere? I might be wrong though....I've always felt that someone could be punished three times and wondered if that was right, however I couldn't think of an alternative

Arsene Wenger has been saying the same for years after Lehmann was sent off in the CL final and I agree. It does seem ludicrous.

I like Red's proposal as the rules currently stands but if a sin-bin does come into effect then that might be a better option.

Personally, I'd like to see less bookings and more physical contact allowed (not dangerous play as such) in football. You only have to watch Ice Hockey and Rugby to see that it can work in sport and be managed successfully.