Frank Lampard today pleaded with referees not to ruin football after admitting Premier League players are baffled by the clampdown on two-footed tackles.
Red cards have come thick and fast in recent matches for a host of tackles considered to be in that category.
While few could argue Peter Crouch's wild lunge at Jon Obi Mikel last night warranted a sending off, Emmanuel Eboue's foul on John Terry in Chelsea's defeat at Arsenal last Sunday was only punished with a yellow card.
It is this apparent inconsistency that has angered Lampard, whose team-mate Terry had three bones broken by the Gunners' defender's challenge.
"The players do not know where they stand and I don't think they ever will," said the 29-year-old midfielder.
"It is difficult for referees. They have been given directives and in the 100 mph game that it is sometimes they can get it slightly wrong.
"Some tackles are more clear cut than others and I hope they do not take the strong tackle out of the game because we don't want that at all."
