Quote: Him "It's probably the interpretation between a deliberate drop of the ball to play it and an accidental drop of the ball whilst attempting to place it down, although I agree the rules don't differentiate between the 2.
I think the problem is that while the rules are published online for anyone to see, the referees interpretations aren't. The play the ball issue you've just highlighted being a good example, another being the ball being kicked dead in goal and 20m restarts.
I think it would help massively if the head of refs published the referees interpretations of the rules each season, so we all know what is supposed to be happening. I think they sometimes release a statement if an interpretation is to change, like with the advantage rule, but the rest aren't.'"
Possibly, and in some cases I agree that is the explanation, but I have never in recent times seen a player not to be penalised for even a microscopic separation of hand from ball in the act of putting it on the ground. It's always a knock on. There is no "interpretation" it's just a different rule used by the referees compared the one in the actual rule book. If the rule book is wrong then they should change it, otherwise you should be able to drop the ball on the ground and play it.
On a practical note, all those borderline, difficult and often incorrect decisions refs have to make about wether it's a knock on or interference would vanish. Potentially it could also result in faster PTB's and less whistle blowing.
I am also aware that it could lead to the ball flying all over as players chuck it on the deck much like the PTB's of old. The memory I have of old PTB's where the ball was usually dropped on the deck was that's tackled players could square up to the tackler and play the ball at the same time. Great fun at times.
