FIFA president Blatter demands life bans for dangerous tackles

0 Comments | AFP, March, 2008

LONDON (AFP) — FIFA president Sepp Blatter on Friday called for lifetime bans and criminal charges to be brought against players found guilty of dangerous tackles.

Blatter believes reckless challenges are one of the biggest scourges of the modern game and he has demanded a "zero tolerance" policy ahead of the International Board's weekend meeting at Gleneagles.

"Dangerous tackling is one of the most important issues in football at the moment," Blatter told The Times.

"Players who do this kind of thing intentionally should be banned from the game."

He added: "Attacking somebody is criminal, whether it happens on a football pitch or elsewhere.

"It is a crime and should be treated as such."

Blatter believes managers are often as guilty...