According to the trend, the 2006 World Cup in Germany will be the witness of a new rule: the red card awarded for elbowing. As more and more players go out from the field with the nose broken because of being elbowed while fighting for the ball, FIFA decided that this is a red card punishable offence.

In 2002 the new rule was that diving should be yellow-carded. Now, a more drastic approach, the red card, since the hits seems to keep coming.

Elbowing is a “new approach to fight for the ball'’ and is particularly dangerous because players on the receiving end aren’t prepared for it, Blatter said. Coaches and players will be warned before the June 9-July 9 tournament, he said.

Source: bloomberg.com