Brazilian referees hitting back at player dissent

After years of being angrily confronted after nearly every call in stadiums across Brazil, the country's referees are finally being allowed to strike back.

A player is shown a red card during Palmeiras's meeting with Fluminense. (Getty) Source: Getty Images South America

The Brazilian Football Confederation has given referees permission to be ruthless with dissenting players, hoping to change a culture where complaints have been widely accepted and often extreme.

It has resulted in a huge increase in yellow cards, and a lot of criticism from players and coaches who are constantly trying to deceive them.

"I'm afraid to even greet the referee because I may get a card," Sao Paulo midfielder Michel Bastos said.

"It's complicated when you can't even talk to the referees. There's no more communication on the field. This is beyond reasonable."

South American players are known for their vivid complaints, and have long enjoyed more leeway when interacting with referees, especially compared to leagues in Europe.

Brazil wants to end that.

More than 100 yellow cards, an unprecedented number, have been awarded for the slightest protest in the first eight rounds of the Brazilian league. In the third round, 20 cards were awarded for dissent, an average of two per game.

The confederation says the new recommendations were needed because of "recurring complaints by individuals and groups of players against the decisions made by the referees during and after games".

"Football cannot be the victim of weak referees or undisciplined players and coaches, whose actions ignite fans in the stands," Sergio Correa, of the confederation's refereeing commission, said.

"The undisciplined behaviour of these idols allows youngsters to build disrespectful habits toward authorities in general."

Refs who don't follow the recommendations might risk being taken off future matches, the confederation says.

Any tantrum after a ref's decision will definitely draw a card, as will minor confrontations that used to be tolerated.

Players are especially upset because sometimes they are getting booked just for approaching the referee to discuss a call.

"It's just too much," Santos defender David Braz said. "We have to be able to interact with the referee on the field. Football is not like that."

Coaches are also indignant at the change.

Sao Paulo manager Juan Carlos Osorio said he was surprised to be sent off after trying to talk to a referee at halftime.