The FA has changed its retrospective action process for the start of the new season to ensure that incidents of foul play will not go unpunished, according to George Martindale of the LONDON TIMES. The changes "will ensure that the FA now reserves the right to take action upon players when referees and officials are not in a position to 'fully assess a coming together of players.'" The FA was quick to point out that the change will not discredit or undermine the power of match-day officials. An FA statement said, "This change is not intended to usurp the authority of the match officials who are, in the vast majority of cases, best-placed to deal with incidents at the time they occur. It will only be utilized in the rare circumstances outlined above." The move is "aimed to allow steps to punish clashes such as the tackle last season" by Wigan Athletic forward Callum McManaman on Newcastle United's Massadio Haidara, which went unpunished after match referee Mark Halsey "did not have a view of the incident" (LONDON TIMES, 7/12).
