One that has always baffled me is the use of Yellow cards for Punching. As a player with limited understanding of the laws i always understood punching was a straight red, but have over the years probable seen more yellows dished out for throwing a punch then reds.
Therefore question is: Is a clearly thrown and connected punch an area for interpretation by the refs or should it be a straight red ?
We have 2 issues here, the punch and management.
Foul play comes under Law10 and punching
10.4 Dangerous play and misconduct
(a) Punching or striking. A player must not strike an opponent with the fist or arm, including the elbow, shoulder, head or knee(s).
Sanction: Penalty Kick
Now under law 10, the referee has 3 choices.
Penalty kick
PK - Yellow Card
PK - Red Card
Either one of them is correct in Law.
My stance is a punch that connects to the face of a player is a Red Card, the RFU disciplinary guys also think that. We need this out of the game.
Some referees are scared to give reds, it's a big decision. Some think its looks bad on them. Sometimes I even think the older guys accept it as part of the game.
A small scuffle of handbags on the floor that is not clear landed punches may get yellows.
As I have said though, throw and connect to the head and it should be red.