FILE - In this Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2013 file photo, referee Howard Webb gestures during the Champions League group G soccer match between FC Porto and Atletico de Madrid in Porto, northern Portugal. Moments before the start of the most game of his life, Webb had been struck down by another bout of Obsessive compulsive disorder, a condition in which a person has obsessive thoughts and compulsive behavior. Webb kept the condition secret throughout a career that saw him referee the Champions League final and World Cup final in the same year, 2010, fearing the harsh world of soccer would mark him down as mentally unsound. (AP Photo/Armando Franca, file)Armando Franca/Associated Press

Howard Webb Says Premier League Players Asked for Bookings over Christmas Period

Christopher SimpsonNov 23, 2016

Former Premier League referee Howard Webb has said players would ask him for bookings in order to be suspended around the Christmas period.

Per the Mirror's Jake Polden, Webb said as much on BT Sport's UEFA Champions League Goal Show on Tuesday: "A couple of times around about Christmas time in the Premier League players will want the time off.

"They will say 'a yellow card might suit my purpose.' It's not what fans want to hear really."

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In the Premier League, receiving a total of five yellow cards warrants a one-game ban.

Per BT Sport Football, Webb added: "As long as they don't do something stupid, maybe just a small holding offence or kicking the ball away and they might get what they want, but it's not cricket, is it?"

As noted by the Irish Independent's Kevin Palmer, Webb's revelation could prompt further scrutiny on players this year:

With Boxing Day fixtures a tradition in English football—in contrast with other European leagues, which often make use of a winter break over the Christmas period—players are forced to miss time with their families, particularly if their team is playing away.

The festive period is also a particularly busy time—teams can play on December 26 and again as early as two days later.