Manchester United and Chelsea's FA Cup final got off to a controversial start as a last man Phil Jones tackle brought down Eden Hazard and forced Michael Oliver into a decision. Oliver awarded a penalty and booked Jones, something that confused a large swath of viewers who felt a red card was the right call.
How on earth is that not a red card??????
— John Arne Riise (@JARiiseOfficial) May 19, 2018
Jones with a clear foul. How is it not a red????!!!!!
— Sam (@samuelJayC) May 19, 2018
Jones lucky not to get a red for that challenge. #cfc
— Brian Moore (@brianmoore666) May 19, 2018
Amazed that's not a red. Phil Jones. Buddy.
— Tom Coast (@thcoast) May 19, 2018
Confused. How is that not a red card? #Jones
— Anfield Fans (@Anfieldfans) May 19, 2018
Jones got a yellow and Hazard scored the penalty. However, as of last season, the International Football Association Board (IFAB) announced a softening of this rule to avoid double punishments, i.e red card and a penalty. It means holding, pulling or pushing, having no possibility to play the ball (serious foul play) violent conduct or a deliberate handball are still red cards but a genuine attempt is a yellow, as the full amendment outlined:
When a denial of a goalscoring opportunity offence is committed by a defender in the penalty area, the penalty kick effectively restores the goalscoring opportunity so the punishment for the player should be less strong (e.g. a yellow card) than when the offence is committed outside the penalty area. However, when the offence is handball or clearly not a genuine attempt to play or challenge for the ball, the player will be sent off.
New rules apparently.. wow!
— John Arne Riise (@JARiiseOfficial) May 19, 2018
