Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has hit out at the rise in two-footed tackles in the Premiership.
And he believes too many refs just flash a yellow card for tackles which can finish careers - or even end up in court.
Ferguson said: "It is a problem for the game this season. We want it stopped. We don't want to see some of these tackles because what will happen is a player will be put out of the game, he will then sue his opponent and it doesn't do the game any good.
"So there is a bigger responsibility on referees than ever before. The problem is they always have a yellow card as a kind of escape clause for them."
Fergie has just served a two-match touchline ban for rowing with ref Mark Clattenburg following a challenge on Patrice Evra.
Bolton's Kevin Davies took out the full-back during United's 1-0 defeat on November 24.
Ferguson said: "I was banned simply because I argued with Mark Clattenburg on this issue. Some Bolton players told us he had gone into the Newcastle dressing room at the start of the season with video clips and said, 'This will be a red card' - and yet he is still to give one."
The Old Trafford gaffer believes officials should send off first and ask questions later over such challenges. He said: "There has to be a better directive from referees' chief Keith Hackett. It is easy to give a yellow card.
"Once you have booked someone you can't do anything about it. But if you give a red card, then you can have it rescinded. The ref can look at it again the next morning and say 'Maybe I was wrong there'."
