This will undoubtedly become a standard pub quiz question in a few years time.
The beautiful game’s rule book has gotten a bit of a shake-up with over 90 new changes coming into effect this season. Perhaps the most noteworthy one has to do with how referees deal with players protesting decisions and how they interact with officials and players in general.
Referees are now encouraged to punish “visibly disrespectful” behaviour with yellow cards, while offensive language can result in a sending off in an effort to “reduce disrespectful conduct such as aggressively challenging decisions or running from distance to confront an official.”
While the first booking of the season went to Leicester’s Christian Fuchs, former international Ireland goalkeeper Shay Given claimed the ‘honour’ of being the first player to fall victim to this new rule change during Stoke City’s 1-1 draw with Middlesbrough.
When Gaston Ramirez was booked for a foul on Erik Pieters, Given went over to protest the foul and walked away with a booking for his troubles.
Ramirez for a foul on Pieters, while Given was shown a card for dissent.
— Middlesbrough FC (@Boro) August 13, 2016
