Reo-Coker caught in tackling grey area

Bolton’s Nigel Reo-Coker claims players no longer know how they are supposed to tackle, following feverish debate over two-footed challenges.

Manchester City’s Vincent Kompany was controversially sent off for a two-footed lunge on Nani last weekend, while Glen Johnson was perhaps fortunate not to be dismissed in midweek after a similar offence on Joleon Lescott.

Both incidents have raised fresh fears amongst players and officials alike that there may have to be a strict revision of the guidelines behind tackling.

Reo-Coker believes that without such a redefinition, confusion will continue around what a fair tackle really is.

“Everyone can have such a long discussion on what tackle is deemed fair and what tackle is dangerous,” he told The Daily Mail.

“I don’t really think there are clear enough guidelines to know how you can tackle in the modern game.”

“If I feel I can win a tackle, I’ll go for it. I can’t change. Who knows? Even the powers-that-be don’t really know the true rules about tackling themselves.”

The 27-year-old believes Kompany’s sending off epitomises the fact that people differ in their interpretations on tackling.

“If you speak to people (about Kompany’s challenge), 50 per cent will say it’s a sending off and 50 per cent will say it’s not. I thought it might have been a sending-off but others disagree.”