Menu
Sign In Search Podcasts Libraries Charts People & Topics Add Podcast API Blog Pricing

Michael Christian

๐Ÿ‘ค Speaker
245 total appearances

Appearances Over Time

Podcast Appearances

Whateley
Whateley - Tuesday | Full Show (02.06.26)

And players, I mean, when you think about the fact that there's around 26,000 tackles a year, to have last year only four suspensions is quite remarkable.

Whateley
Whateley - Tuesday | Full Show (02.06.26)

And as I say, what it means is that, and I think people watching the game will see that

Whateley
Whateley - Tuesday | Full Show (02.06.26)

player behaviour has changed with respect to tackling.

Whateley
Whateley - Tuesday | Full Show (02.06.26)

Players are exercising a duty of care, which I think is a real positive for the game.

Whateley
Whateley - Tuesday | Full Show (02.06.26)

Absolutely.

Whateley
Whateley - Tuesday | Full Show (02.06.26)

And the players are incredible, really, in terms of the way they can adjust to these changes.

Whateley
Whateley - Tuesday | Full Show (02.06.26)

And, you know, 15 years ago or even 10 years ago, it seemed impossible.

Whateley
Whateley - Tuesday | Full Show (02.06.26)

acceptable to bump someone shoulder to head and, hey, that was a great bump and play on, well done sort of thing.

Whateley
Whateley - Tuesday | Full Show (02.06.26)

But I think now people watching the game, certainly media, the football world generally, will see a shoulder to head bump

Whateley
Whateley - Tuesday | Full Show (02.06.26)

and immediately think he's in trouble.

Whateley
Whateley - Tuesday | Full Show (02.06.26)

And I think, you know, when there's a clear election to bump and there's shoulder-to-head contact, I think it's universally now accepted that it's not allowed in the game and people recognise it instantly.

Whateley
Whateley - Tuesday | Full Show (02.06.26)

It's been a little different, but that change in the guidelines that you've just outlined has made it a lot easier.

Whateley
Whateley - Tuesday | Full Show (02.06.26)

There's been seven suspensions this year.

Whateley
Whateley - Tuesday | Full Show (02.06.26)

There was only a couple last year.

Whateley
Whateley - Tuesday | Full Show (02.06.26)

A couple last year that were suspended, but obviously there were a number of fines last year, but seven suspensions this year and one was challenged.

Whateley
Whateley - Tuesday | Full Show (02.06.26)

Will Hayward challenged his gut punch last year.

Whateley
Whateley - Tuesday | Full Show (02.06.26)

I think it was on George Wardlaw.

Whateley
Whateley - Tuesday | Full Show (02.06.26)

And he went to the tribunal and the week's suspension was upheld.

Whateley
Whateley - Tuesday | Full Show (02.06.26)

So, yeah, I think I've seen, certainly from my perspective, and I'm not sure you obviously watch a lot of football, but we haven't seen it as much.

Whateley
Whateley - Tuesday | Full Show (02.06.26)

And it seems to be working.