The rules were clarified and tightened up at the start of the 2013-14 season and now, according to the Football Association rule book, disciplinary chiefs will be able to consider retrospective action in the two following situations
* firstly, for acts of violent conduct that occur secondarily to a challenge for the ball;
* secondly, in off-the-ball incidents where one or more match official did see the incident but their view was such that none of them had the opportunity to make a decision on an act of misconduct that took place.
In the first case the match officials may not have seen anything at all so it will not be included in the match report - but an incident may subsequently flagged up by television coverage and the FA can initiate action.
In the second case, the referee or one of the linesman may have got a partial view of something but they were not certain as to exactly what had happened. In those circumstances they may include a reference to an incident in their report and request a review.
FA Director of Governance Darren Bailey explained the changes. “This enables The FA to consider acts of violent conduct, like an elbow or a stamp, which have occurred after a challenge for the ball or coming together of players.
“It is sometimes difficult for officials to see such incidents, as they are often concentrating solely on the challenge for possession of the ball, and we are mindful of this.
“Also, where off-the-ball incidents are concerned, it allows action to be taken where an act of misconduct could not have been seen by the match officials, even though they may have seen some part of the players coming together.
“This provides an appropriate level of discretion for The FA to consider action. However, we remain of the view that the best outcome is that referees are able to make correct judgements on the day to benefit the teams involved.”