Soccer rule too harsh

I was appalled at the penalty given to an 11-year-old player at the recent Connor Timmons Memorial Soccer Tournament in Cape Breton Regional Municipality.

With the Riverview under-12 team losing 3-0 and 10 minutes remaining ni the game, one of its players put out his hand to stop the ball.

For this infraction, he was assessed a red card penalty and thrown from game. In addition, he was suspended from the next game.

Who makes these rules? These are children and I believe the penalty is much too harsh for any child.

Wayne Canning Brantford, Ont. (formerly of Sydney)