Tomás ó Sé has described the black card rule as a "disaster".

In his Irish Independent column today, the former Kerry star claims the rule has led to widespread confusion and made the referee's job even more difficult.

"To me, the black card is a disaster. It's helped to diminish the third-man tackle which is good, but it has multiplied the confusion and the arguments," he wrote.

"There is a fundamental question to it - how does anyone really know if there is intent in a tackle which brings a man to the ground? Only the player himself really knows. It just isn't clear-cut enough.

"I'd dispense with it and return to the yellow/red system of punishment. If you want to punish cynicism, introduce a 20-metre free in front of goals for those categorised as black.

"Of course that sets the cycle of 'was it, wasn't it' in motion all over again. Bottom line? Players will do whatever it takes to win. So will managers, officials and their lawyers.

"The rules need to be even more robust to guard against that culture."

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