Éamonn Fitzmaurice: FRC will have to look at three-back rule relating to cards

Éamonn Fitzmaurice admits the Football Rules Committee (FRC) that he is part of will "have to look" at the rule that allows teams who have shipped a red or black card to avoid having to keep three forwards in the opposition half at all times.

While the issue has cropped up on a number of occasions to date in the Allianz Football League, it became front and centre during in Round 4 at the weekend.

Kerry were arguably at their best when reduced to 13 men in their Division 1 win over Tyrone in Pomeroy, while Galway dispatched Donegal in the top tier at Pearse Stadium, as playing with 13 men never threatened to thwart their path to victory.

As a consequence, the Tribesmen only had to keep one forward up when playing with 13 – but Donegal were compelled to keep three defenders back, a situation that Donegal boss Jim McGuinness later described as "farcical".

Speaking on Allianz League Sunday, analysts Enda McGinley and Lee Keegan stated the rule is "not fit for purpose".

Under football's new rules, red and black cards aren't negatively impacting those sides at a numerical 'disadvantage'. 'Not fit for purpose' was Lee Keegan's blunt assessment of how the rules are panning out, with amendments likely soon. #rtegaa pic.twitter.com/lXgR9UqYwA

On this week's RTÉ GAA podcast, former Kerry player and manager Fitzmaurice was asked whether he understands the frustration with the rule as it has played out to date.

"Absolutely, 100%," he said.

"When we were thinking about it initially, it was to avoid a double punishment, where if you got a black or red card, that team would have the freedom to have their two players on either their defensive or offensive side.

"We thought that’s the way it would play out, but that isn’t the way it’s playing out.