Wolves players were asked which rule they would change, and Matt Doherty’s answer actually makes a lot of sense.
Players and referees are eternally pitted against each other on the football pitch. It’s a dynamic that leads to plenty of arguments and disagreements over the law.
VAR rows and decision dissections dominate the media in the aftermath of Premier League action, with each weekend providing some cause for debate.
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Matt Doherty, despite having a pretty exceptional disciplinary record for Wolves, has an issue with a particular rule that often sees players unfairly suspended.
Matt Doherty wants to widen the scope of post-match appeals
Wolves have a particularly abrasive relationship with the PGMOL, often seeing decisions go against them in mind-boggling fashion.
One area where Doherty thinks a change would be beneficial is allowing appeals of second yellow cards.
As he explains on Wolves TikTok: “I think you should be able to appeal second yellow cards that lead to a red or a suspension, if a guy dives or you haven’t committed a foul.”
At present, only red cards can be appealed, but that leaves room for errors that can have costly consequences.
Doherty himself hasn’t faced the brunt of that regulation, as one of the more disciplined Wolves defenders. In 379 games for the Old Gold, the Irishman has only been shown a second yellow once, and just one straight red.
But his teammates haven’t shown the same kind of care.
Wolves lead the Premier League in red cards in recent seasons
Since the start of the 2021/22 season, no Premier League side has seen red more than Wolves. 15 red cards in that span is three more than Chelsea and Arsenal.
VAR has been wrong about Wolves the most as well, though.
As it stands, second yellows are a bit of a blind spot in Premier League officiating. They can’t be overturned by VAR and they can’t be argued against after the fact.
Judging by the last few seasons, Wolves would stand to benefit most from Doherty’s recommendation.