The combustible Manchester United and Liverpool derby match at the weekend was inflamed by the red card given to Jonjo Shelvy.
The red card was first used at the World Cup of 1970 as a language-neutral way of communicating that a player has to go. It has ever since added drama and spice to the game of football at both domestic and international level.
The Olympics has inspired a lot of people to get off their sofas, take off their slippers and put some running shoes on instead. People are hitting the gyms, the swimming pools and joining the sports clubs because the games has galvanised a nation.
A player is rolling around pretending he is injured. Annoyed a defender spits at him whilst he is on the floor. Two minutes later he tries to break the guys leg.
The question that everyone is asking, now that the Olympics have ended, is whether there will be a legacy from these hugely successful games. Sebastian Coe and his team won the right to host the 30th Olympiad by promising a legacy.
After their holiday professional footballers all over the country have gone back to their clubs for pre-season training. It is an important time of the year for them as the hard work they put in now will build fitness for the season and can help them to avoid injuries.
It is not a name that trips off the lips in any conversation about football but Harold Bell is a record breaker. He played an amazing 401 consecutive league games for Tranmere Rovers between 1946 and 1955.
The goal celebration has become almost as important as the goal itself these days. Bobby Charlton would celebrate with a simple handshake with a team mate and Alan Shearer famously just lifted one arm.