Patrick Ittrich

German referee Patrick Ittrich has sparked debate with bold suggestions to overhaul football’s rules, aiming to curb tactical fouls, diving, dissent, and confrontations. His ideas, shared in a recent interview, draw inspiration from other sports and could reshape the game if adopted.

  1. Tactical Fouls Punished Harshly: Ittrich proposes moving free kicks for tactical fouls in midfield to just 17 meters from goal. This drastic measure would turn cynical challenges into high-risk decisions, likely deterring players from breaking up play with deliberate fouls. Imagine the drop in midfield tackles if a free kick near the penalty area is at stake.
  2. Crackdown on Diving: To combat exaggerated rolling and playacting, Ittrich suggests that players who roll three times and require medical attention must leave the pitch for three minutes. This rule would force players to rethink dramatic tumbles, as they’d risk leaving their team short-handed. Most would likely spring to their feet faster than ever.
  3. Sin-Bin for Dissent: Borrowing from handball, Ittrich advocates a 10-minute sin-bin for players who insult referees. During this period, offenders would have to “go cycling” to stay warm before returning. This temporary ejection could cool tempers and reduce verbal abuse, making players think twice before arguing.
  4. Mass Confrontations Stamped Out: When players swarm a referee after a decision, Ittrich proposes swift action: three immediate red cards. This would leave teams severely depleted—say, seven against ten—ensuring such behavior stops instantly. The threat of playing at a numerical disadvantage could restore order around officials.

Ittrich’s ideas, while radical, aim to promote fairness and respect in football. However, implementing them would require significant buy-in from FIFA and UEFA, and they’d likely face resistance from players and managers accustomed to exploiting current loopholes.