[Aussie Irene]

Originally Posted by Exile on Spencer St

The football authorities in this country have totally lost control of pushing, shoving, shirt pulling, and diving. Consequently, if refs consistently showed cards for such offences, games would need to be abandoned after 20 minutes because there wouldn't be enough players left on the field.
The injustice here is felt because this particular law continues to be enforced inconsistently by refs.
In any event, the law says that the offence must be in a manner "considered by the referee to be careless, reckless or using excessive force".
Perhaps what Winnard is alleged to have done would be considered to be careless, reckless or excessive in Western Australia but, I suggest, no reasonable person who plays, watches, or referees football over here would regard it so.

It must have been "considered by the referee to be careless,reckless or using excessive force". That is why he gave the penalty. FIFA laws apply world-wide including Western Australia.