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Jamie Redknapp - I'm glad Mike Dean clamped down on grapplng

Daily Mail | August 22, 2016

Related Topics: Dele Alli, Eric Dier, Goodison Park, Raheem Sterling, Grappling, Mike Dean (referee), Stoke City F.C., Ryan Shawcross, Manchester City F.C., Defender (association football)

Referees getting tough on defenders holding in the box will mean Ryan Shawcross will really have to think about how he defends.

Shawcross conceded a penalty for tugging Nicolas Otamendi's shirt against Manchester City on Saturday and I'm glad he was penalised. Grappling and grabbing is not the art of defending but he has always got away with it.

While Shawcross is one of the worst offenders, plenty of others have gone under the radar. He was also the victim against City, winning a penalty for Stoke when Raheem Sterling pulled his shirt.

Ryan Shawcross will have to think about how he defends with the new holding directives
Ryan Shawcross will have to think about how he defends with the new holding directives
Shawcross was penalised for this tangle with Nicolas Otamendi in the Stoke box
Shawcross was penalised for this tangle with Nicolas Otamendi in the Stoke box
The Potters skipper later won a penalty with Raheem Sterling punished in this incident
The Potters skipper later won a penalty with Raheem Sterling punished in this incident
Mike Dean gave two penalties and others must be brave to clamp down on grappling
Mike Dean gave two penalties and others must be brave to clamp down on grappling

I don't know how long this clampdown on holding will last but I like it.

See full article at Daily Mail