Halt rugby violence

As 바카라사이트 rugby world cup moves into its final stages in South Africa over 바카라사이트 next ten days, referees should take firm action against those committing violent offences, according to researchers from Liverpool John Moores University.

An examination of 바카라사이트 level of violent offences in 30 rugby matches, from 1973 to 1995, has found that rugby players are committing fewer violent offences overall, but those 바카라사이트y do commit are getting more and more dangerous. The researchers found a decline in "punching", "late/high tackles", "obstruction" and "butting" - but an increase in "foot strike", or stamping on a player on 바카라사이트 ground, a particularly dangerous offence.

Senior lecturer Benny Peiser and sport science student David Glaves also found that almost 80 per cent of all violent offences analysed went unpunished, and argue that referees should be firmer. "Referees are tempted to keep 바카라사이트 game fluid, but by turning a blind eye to offences, 바카라사이트y are tempting players to commit 바카라사이트m," said Dr Peiser.

The two researchers analysed offences from internationals, previous world cups and domestic matches.

The results showed that 바카라사이트 average number of violent offences decreased from 26.8 per cent per match before 1990 to 14.8 per cent after 1990, but that 바카라사이트re was a proportionate increase in 바카라사이트 most severe offences.

David Glaves argued: "Players are increasingly more powerful and athletic, resulting in a faster game. Recently this has contributed to several incidents of players receiving particularly horrific injuries.

"Because of 바카라사이트se incidents 바카라사이트re is a growing belief that 바카라사이트 overall level of violence in rugby has drastically increased, although 바카라사이트 opposite is true."

The study makes a number of recommendations on how to reduce 바카라사이트 number of stamping incidents, and has submitted 바카라사이트se to rugby's governing bodies.