A FIFA expert panel proposed Tuesday that referees should be more lenient with players who give away a penalty.

The FIFA Task Force Football 2014 led by Franz Beckenbauer agreed that the so-called “triple punishment” of penalty, red card and suspension is too severe.

“A penalty is enough if it is a simple foul or a tackle where you try to get the ball but you are a second late,” Beckenbauer said.

“If you have a violent foul, if it would have been a red card anywhere on the field, then it’s a penalty and a red card.”

Red cards would still be given for handball offenses which stop a certain goal, under the 20-member panel’s proposal.

FIFA will now present a new draft to its rules-making panel, the International Football Association Board (IFAB). It next meets March 3 in England and can approve the changes that would take effect in July.

The task force also agreed to discuss the offside rule at its next scheduled meeting in December.

Key discussion points of the FIFA Task Force Football 2014 were as follows:

· Fair play. Over the last few months, unsporting behaviour has led to many negative incidents both on and off the pitch. As such, the task force believes it is crucial that a concrete action plan be developed for the next meeting, in particular related to the conduct of players, coaches and officials who must be role models for the fans and the general public.

· Law 4, communication systems: The task force discussed the use of communication technology tools on the benches and agreed with the decision of the IFAB that no communication tools should be used once in the playing field area.

· Refereeing concerning Law 12: The task force again tackled the topic of triple punishment, with the members agreeing that only in the event of serious fouls with physical violence should a triple punishment be imposed with a penalty, a red card and a suspension. The group also agreed that the red card and penalty punishment will remain for any outfield player who stops a goal on the goal line by using his hand, whereas any other simple fouls in the penalty area should only be sanctioned with a penalty and a yellow card. The same punishment is proposed for a goalkeeper who tries to catch the ball but tackles the legs of a player. The aim is make it easier for referees to ensure uniform and fairer decisions. A revised text of the Laws will now be drafted to reflect the above decisions and then re-submitted as a proposal to the IFAB in March.

· Law 11, offside: The group further discussed the interpretation of Law 11 regarding active and passive offside. The chairman asked the task force members to come up with suggestions for a clear, understandable rule by the time of the group’s next meeting.