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Last week, Middlesbrough's Emanuel Pogatetz injured Manchester United's Rodrigo Possebon with a crude and reckless challenge that has no place in civilised sport.
The week before, Newcastle midfielder Danny Guthrie kicked out at Hull's Craig Fagan and broke his leg.
In each case, the offender received a red card and was banned for three matches.
Pogatetz has previous. While playing in Russia he broke a player's leg and was initially banned for six months.
Guthrie's offence wasn't a clumsy tackle but looked like a deliberate assault borne out of frustration.
In each case, the injured fellow professional could have been sidelined for months or even had his career cut short. So the question has to be asked: Is a three-match ban adequate?
Former referee Graham Poll, whose journalistic ravings are sometimes as curious as his decisions in his previous incarnation, thinks everything's for the best, in the best of all possible worlds.
He wrote: "The instant red card shown by Andre Marriner [to Pogatetz] will remind players that these tackles will not be tolerated." Complete cobblers.
In reality, the message sent out by such leniency is the opposite. It shows the authorities' impotence in the face of horrendous challenges.
The Football Association say those are the rules. So I say, change them. Or do it another way.
When the red mist descended on Ben Thatcher back in 2006 and he rendered Pedro Mendes unconscious, the former was charged with bringing the game into disrepute and handed an eight-match ban, with a further 15 suspended for two years. Why not do the same to Guthrie and Pogatetz?
It is plain daft that a manager who denounces the FA for the fools that they are gets hit with a disrepute rap but players who commit blatant assaults do not.
Not that I feel too sorry for managers right now. One of the reasons why the FA must act is that managers don't take action against offenders, however recklessly they behave on the pitch.
Indeed, managers seem to have lost any moral sense whatsoever, when even a supposed good guy like Reading's Steve Coppell sits back and allows his team to benefit from that non-goal at Watford.
The FA, heaven help us, are our last line of defence against primitive tackles and they seem too dim to appreciate that the smack of firm government is what is needed here. But not, of course, yet.
A spokesman said this week, a sliding scale of penalties for red cards is under consideration for next season.
Well, if I were you, mate, I'd get on with it, before someone gets really seriously maimed.
When even the PFA's Gordon Taylor can't defend a thug like Guthrie, saying what he did was "not acceptable", it is plainly time for immediate action. But I'm not holding my breath.
Let's give these refs a trial by television
Time to round up the usual suspects. So let us begin with Rob Styles who, no one will be surprised to hear, made a complete hash of a penalty decision at Old Trafford.
Which, surprise, surprise, went against the visiting team, as it always does at the Theatre of Dreams; something Sir Alex Ferguson should bear in mind before embarking on any further rants against match officials. Then there is Steve Bennett.
Again, no astonishment that he fell for a pathetic piece of theatrics at the JJB Stadium on Sunday, when Wigan's Wilson Palacios tried to launch himself into orbit, and poor booby Bennett pointed to the spot.
No line-up of culprits would be complete without Michel Platini, who proved once again this week he headed a soggy football once or twice too often during his illustrious career by offering his own solution to bogus penalties. Two more referees!
Hang on a minute. Why have six officials when a television replay could immediately tell the ref he got it wrong?
The fact Platini and FIFA chief Sepp Blatter don't want cameras should not prevent action. It does, though, for two reasons.
Firstly, our own FA are too busy sucking up to FIFA for the 2018 World Cup to tackle them on technology, even though every other major sport employs cameras.
Secondly, the big clubs are still prepared to put up with being dictated to by UEFA and FIFA, even though the clubs have the players and the money, and therefore the power, while the governing bodies do not.
Vaughan has it easy
Not that bad a life being Michael Vaughan in his declining years.
The former England captain was offered a lucrative central contract last month and not required to earn the money in this winter's Indian tour.
But it's a fair way to treat the old warrior and the rest will hopefully do him good. But, then again, so it would for the others as I'm sure our Test players play too much.
Still, the team have a proud record to defend in India; the only English people to go there and not get the runs!
Apology to heroic Hull
Last summer, I wrote disrespectfully about Hull's promotion to the Premier League. It is time to apologise.
To beat Arsenal at The Emirates is a formidable achievement. But they've done more than that, winning three and drawing two of their first six matches. And they are still unbeaten on the road.
No doubt tough times lie ahead and it may yet all end in tears but already Hull have justified their place in the top flight. Derby County they ain't.
Reader views (9)
David,
As a Hull fan, first let me say thanks for the apology - I was annoyed with not only your article, but the comments of many others through the summer. At least you recognize that you were wrong.
Second. Television Cameras/Replays. The main argument against is that it would disrupt the flow of the game. However, I disagree. More often than not, offences that would require a replay already create a stoppage in play (The Ronaldo penalty stopped play...offside goals stop play etc). Therefore there is no reason not to adopt television cameras. They work really well in cricket, tennis and rugby...football is falling behind.
- Oliver, Liverpool
Thanks for your Apology Mr.Mellor.
I would like to comment on the camera technology issue, perhaps all these dubious descisions that are happening are a big ploy by the F.A. to try and persuade and platini and co. If used correctly the technology could only benefit the Premiership and football league - why not give each team 3 'challenge the decisions' per match, where by if you were not happy with a decision you could go to a video ref to over-rule or enforce a decision. Similar to the 3 challenge rule in tennis. It is a simple thing and would undoubtably improve the game.
- Mark Beach, Hull, UK
Maybe now you will realise that you shouldnt jump to conclusions Mr Mellor. Bring on Chelsea
- Tigerboris, hull
WE ARE HULL.
KNEEL.
- Hull, Hull
Re the Hull City apology,you can shove it where the sun don't shine.Stick to politics Mr Mellor because you obviously know nothing about football,then again you never really knew much about politics either.Off you go and eat humble pie but not too much eh,your body won't stand too many extra calories will it?
- Whitehurst, Kingston upon Hull,England
Well done to Mellor for apologising for his comments about Hull City, hopefully this will teach him to comment on things he knows nothing about in future.
- Steve Burton, Hull, uk
Dear David
It takes a big man to admit he was wrong.
On behalf of right minded Hull City supporters I accept your apology.
We are exceeding all expectations outside of Hull. Within our fair city we already know what the football glitterati are rapidly finding out. We will not go from the top table meekly. We have an indomitable spirit. We are well prepared and we play with no little skill.
We are Hull.
Regards Joseph
- Joe Mlarky, Hull, England
About time. Perhaps that'll teach you not to talk such specious rot in future, Mellor.
- Johnny Yen, Hull
Thank you David that is all the hull City fans wanted and deserved.
- Steve, Cambridge
