BEHAVE OR ELSE
Southgate’s discipline warning to England stars: We won’t get away with ANYTHING in Russia
GARETH SOUTHGATE has given his England stars a stern warning about their World Cup discipline.
The Three Lions boss (left) revealed that he called a team meeting to tell the players they will not “get away with anything” on the pitch in Russia this summer. Southgate is particularly concerned about players diving and dangerous tackles as the latter could be punished by VAR
with retrospective red cards in a new crackdown.
Raheem Sterling was booked for diving in England’s win over Nigeria on Saturday, while Ashley Young was lucky not to be sent off for an X-rated tackle against Italy in March.
Southgate said: “It’s a conversation we had with everybody, for that very reason. Not that we are looking to get away with anything, but if we thought we could, that’s gone.
“We’re not sure until we have the full briefing on whether this situation – something happening 20 minutes before half-time and being implemented at half-time – is a reality.
“There have been tackles in recent games that might be yellow or red cards. And I’m in favour of the clear errors – the Maradona goal – that could be sorted quickly.”
The International Football Association Board confirmed VAR will be used and red cards could be issued retrospectively – even during games.