Rotational fouling
Rotational fouling: the evil that is killing our game
Rotational fouling was introduced by Blackburn, and gained national attention after Blackburn Rovers played Arsenal in the FA Cup semi-final in 2005 at the Millennium Stadium. Commentators were appalled at the tactics of Blackburn in which the team systematically took it in turns to commit fouls on Arsenal players that were just outside the realms of the straight yellow card.
With each player only committing one foul every five minutes the referee had no chance of even booking the players for persistent foul play.
Even the eccentric commentators of Radio 5 were forced to admit that it was one of the most awful displays of anti-football they had ever seen – and there could be no doubt that the Blackburn supporters knew what was coming. While the Arsenal part of the ground was packed to overflowing the Blackburn half was half empty.
Although the ending with the Van Persie goals made it all ok on the day, it was a totally awful match – but I doubt that many of us really knew what was coming.
By the start of the 2005/6 season a number of teams had taken note of the Blackburn tactic, and the process started to spread. Bolton showed first but were soon followed by the likes of Everton, West Ham, Newcastle, Man City and Aston Villa. By August 2006 they had been joined by Tottenham, and we had the curious sight of Chelsea following the lead when their long ball game failed to produce goals.
Referees have acknowledged they have no power to combat this style, and it now seems to be part of the game.