‘Protect football’s image’: referees urged to punish dangerous tackles

European football’s governing body Uefa has ordered its referees to punish bad tackling and “protect football’s image”.

Italian Pierluigi Collina, who is the Uefa chief refereeing officer, has revealed that officials in the Champions League and Europa League will issue red cards for serious foul play.

The Times says that Collina’s comments come after a meeting of European referees and also Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola urging officials to protect his players.

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Earlier this month City complained to the Premier League’s referees body about a number of bad tackles inflicted on their players, the BBC reported. City cited nine challenges that they believe should have warranted more severe punishment.

One of the bad challenges was by Cardiff’s Joe Bennett on Leroy Sane. The tackle, which took place in an FA Cup tie, saw the winger injured and ruled out for a number of games.

Collina told Uefa.com: “We need players playing, so they must be protected. We do not want situations where a player’s future is put in doubt because of serious injury caused by a challenge, whether it is intentional, or is unintentional and the player making the challenge is taking a risk of causing injury.

“Players must understand that they have to respect their opponents and show the same positive behaviour to them that they would want to receive themselves.

“Football is a beautiful game. And we want it to stay that way.”