There has been no clampdown on two-footed challenges, according to the Professional Game Match Officials Board.

The likes of Ricardo Carvalho, Brynjar Gunnarsson, Peter Crouch and Stephen Ireland have all been red carded in recent weeks for lunging in with both feet.

There have been suggestions that referees have been ordered to be stricter with those who carry out such challenges.

However, the PGMOB has insisted that officials are merely enforcing existing policy.

"The issue of the two-footed challenges was discussed at the regular pre-season meetings the PGMOB hold with managers and players," said a spokesman for the PGMOB.

"They were reminded of the key point surrounding the excessive use of force in the tackle.

"A player who jumps into a tackle two-footed is not in control of himself and therefore if he makes contact with the player, ball and player, or if the referee determines there to be excessive malice in the challenge, he will be dismissed.

"There has been no 'clampdown' on the tackle or new directive issued - referees are simply applying the law as it has always stood."