Originally Posted by Na Chlairsigh
It's not really a rule, more so that referees have gotten more lenient with it over the last few years......
but it really annoys me how much protection goalkeepers get, any kind of contact and they are looking for a free, there's nothing worse then seeing a goalkeeper flapping about like a fish when he was been legally challenged for a cross. They already have an extra avantage of using their hands, surely a little bit of contact souldn't effect them. If the "challenge" was to take place anywhere else around the pitch then a free wouldn't be given, but because it's a goalkeeper the ref always gives it.
A fair, legal challenge for a header against a goalkeeper using his hands should be allowed. Not like the olden days when you could practically charge the goalie into the net, but it's getting redicioulous at this stage.