UEFA IS TO propose a new rule that would see players temporarily removed from the pitch if a foul they have committed injures another player.

Former elite level referee Pierluigi Collina, speaking at a UEFA meeting in Turin ahead of the Europa League final between Sevilla and Benfica, said the change would be put forward to the International Football Association Board (IFAB) at the start of next year.

“We’re going to propose this new rule to IFAB, whereby the player who causes the injury temporarily leaves the pitch as long as the injured player is being treated off the park,” said Collina.

If the injured player is replaced, the player who committed the foul would return to the pitch, the UEFA referees’ chief added.

“The current system isn’t fair. The player who commits the foul is only cautioned and stays on the pitch while the team with the injured player is left a man down. It effectively gives an advantage to the other team.”

Collina instructs referees during Euro 2012. Alik Keplicz Alik Keplicz

The Italian said the proposal only concerned fouls deemed “dangerous” and worthy of a yellow card.

UEFA plans to submit the proposal to the IFAB at their next meeting which is set to be held between February and March 2015.

- © AFP, 2014

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