Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think fouls should only be fouls if they’re on purpose?

30 replies

MouldEight · 07/07/2026 18:35

Watching the World Cup and it seems very harsh to be getting yellow and red cards and penalties given for fouls which are accidental, doesn’t it?

OP posts:
WhatAMarvelousTune · 07/07/2026 18:38

With the caveat that I do not watch football…

If they switched to only deliberate fouls, wouldn’t that encourage more dangerous playing/tackles/tactics that would lead to things that are technically accidental but dangerous nonetheless. Penalising accidents forces an element of caution?

Plus it’s more subjective - it’s hard to judge what is and isn’t an accident sometimes.

Talltreesbythelake · 07/07/2026 18:38

But these are trained players. They are not four year olds who have no spatial awareness. If they are in the way of the other players it's rather like someone who has driven down the middle of a road, blocking off the oncoming traffic. Yes, they didn't do it on purpose but they should have looked ahead, planned and not got in the way.

GisGasGus · 07/07/2026 18:37

Who would determine intention and how?

Crushed23 · 07/07/2026 18:36

What’s deliberate and what’s accidental could be open to interpretation. Better to have straightforward rules.

Honeyhonayboo · 07/07/2026 18:36

How would you determine intent though?