Diogo Dalot Man United escape and Rice red card sees Premier League clubs make referees demand
manchestereveningnews.co.ukPremier League clubs have urged for greater consistency in games regarding new refereeing directives. Before the start of the 2024/25 season, officials visited each team to detail what they would be working to tackle, including preventing the quick restart of matches and players crowding around referees.
One of the points briefed was regarding referees being particularly vigilant about punishing players delaying quick free kicks.
The warning was that any offence deemed "clear, deliberate and impactful on the game" would result in a yellow card. This push for stricter officiating comes after statistics showed an increase from 118 incidents of delaying restarts in the 2022/23 season to 215 in the 2023/24 campaign. READ MORE: 'He returned' - Manchester United to receive double injury boost that could change season READ MORE: Shaw, Malacia, Hojlund - Man United injury news and return dates before Southampton Last weekend, Arsenal's Declan Rice became the first player to be punished by the stricter enforcement, receiving a booking that led to his sending off against Brighton.
The decision led to many questioning the decision with Gunners boss Mikel Arteta left seething at full-time. Eight separate incidents from last weekend have circulated online of players delaying a quick restart without punishment, involving Manchester United defender Diogo Dalot.
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