Bundesliga referee Patrick Ittrich has suggested four rule changes in a bid to improve the game, featuring a 10-minute 'cool down' and a new free-kick law.
“For a tactical foul in midfield, a free kick should be awarded 17 metres from goal," Ittrich says. "How often would we see such fouls then?”
Secondly, "If a player rolls on the floor three times and needs a doctor, get him one and make him wait outside for three minutes," he says. "How quickly do you think the player will stand up?”
Ittrich also has a solution to officials being abused and believes football can learn from another sport. “If a player insults a referee, send them outside for 10 minutes to cool down," the official says. "Go cycling to warm up before coming back in. We can learn from handball in that respect."
He added: “How is a referee surrounded by 10 men after a decision? In my opinion, boom, boom, boom – three red cards. Play seven against ten now. That’d be fine by me."
