....on Sunday we fall victim to this a few times while the good old referee fails to use it once against the protesting whining red mob.

(From Soccernet) "Wednesday, 16 August, 2000, 15:29 GMT 16:29 UK New rules as Premiership kicks off

10-yard rule

This is an experimental introduction of the 10-yard rule which has already been used successfully in both rugby codes.

It means that the referee has the power to move the ball 10 yards nearer the goal, if, after a player has been booked, they continue to show dissent.

The ball will move nearer the goal. If it ends up in the penalty area, it will be an indirect or direct free kick, but not a penalty. ....The new rule is being implemented to punish players for verbal abuse as the FA aim to clean up the Premiership following a stream of unsightly incidents in recent seasons."

Pete

-- Anonymous, August 18, 2000

Answers

Pete

Newton Heath have made last minute alterations to their ground to take into account this new "10 Yard Rule" - specifically to allow Roy Keane et al to keep on protesting, they have swung the two end stands around in 90 degrees which has allowed them the ability to extended the length of the pitch......it is now 350 yards from goal mouth to goalmouth.

-- Anonymous, August 18, 2000

Brilliant Ken, Brilliant. I would never have thought up that one.......BTW, and off topic, did you just get back from Portugal?, Thinking of taking Mrs. Pete there. Any info would be much appreciated...prices, hotels, meals etc...and beer of course.

Thanks

-- Anonymous, August 18, 2000

Pete

We had an apartment in a block at the back of the resort of Vilamoura. It was about 40-45 minutes from the airport, very comfy but a bit of a walk (3km) down to the beach and the front....not normally considered that far, but in 35-40c(95-100f)heat anywhere further than about 200m is a long way......unless there is a bar at the end.

There are some nice looking big hotels along the beach front at Vilamoura and down toward the next resort at Quateria and there is one huge great place in the Vilamoura Marina called, curiously enough, the Marina Hotel.

Regarding meals.....they are as you would expect pretty cosmopolitan and cover just about every taste from MacDonalds (yes they have one) through Spanish, Portugese, Italian, Chinese and through to Indian.

The local 'speciality' are Sardines (Barbequed or grilled) which I liked, but as they are nearly always served with just boiled potatoes they can appear a bit bland. Their other speciality is Algarvian Steak. It is about an 7-8" round, 1 1/2" - 2" thick and is covered is Parma ham and a tasty garlic sauce.

The prices are pretty good over there at the moment, particularly for the Brits as the exchange rate is somewhere round about 330 Escudo's to the pound. Beer is around 350-400 Esc a pint (#1.20-1.50) and soft drinks are about 200-250(75p ish).

The average meal for 4 (both my kids were eating adult meals) cost us on average about 5000-6000 Esc (#15-20) or about a fiver each!

Most importantly, a round of golf with club hire (cos I didn't take mine) shoe hire, and a taxi to and from the course with a meal after cost about 9,000 Esc all in (about #25)

-- Anonymous, August 21, 2000