Sports Letters: The freeing kick
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Sir: Alan Watkins (8 February) is right to highlight the frustration of supporters and players alike when matches are decided by a penalty lottery. However, the remedy is not to tinker with points values, but to devise punishments and rewards more appropriate to the offences. Dangerous or foul play should continue to be punished by the award of a penalty, but a modified free-kick should be awarded for all other current penalty offences.
After a free-kick direct to touch, the innocent side should have the option of a line-out or a scrum 15 metres in from touch. After a free-kick offence in the offender's 22, the innocent team could be given an option of a scrum 10m beyond the point of the offence. I believe these changes would lead to more tries.
Yours faithfully,
Dr D V THOMAS
Edinburgh
8 February
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments