WHILE driving to a game a few days ago I got to thinking about those rules of football that appear to be a complete waste of time, with some just downright stupid.

The first is that ridiculous charade of two teams shaking hands before the kick-off.

So let us get this straight: I am shaking your hand as part of the Respect campaign before I cheat, con, swear at and kick you for 90 minutes...

In other words, show you no respect whatsoever.

What a futile waste of time that is.

Shaking hands afterwards and sharing a drink in the players’ lounge is the way it should be and I bet any player would agree.

Another waste of time is giving the ball back to the opposition after it has been put out of play on purpose so a player can get treatment for an apparent injury.

This can be abused by teams who are under pressure with putting the ball out used as a tactic.

However, even if the opposition give you the ball back it’s usually passed to your goalkeeper.

It’s quite simple to sort out. If a team kicks the ball out of play for one of their own players to get treatment from the physio then they don’t get the ball back.

But if they kick the ball out for an opponent to get treatment then they do get it back.

How difficult is that to understand and implement?

It would stop players kicking the ball out of play for fraudulent reasons and would also help stop players feigning injury.

Talking of injuries, etc, do you also think players having to leave the field after having treatment for an injury is right?