It's Official: English Soccer Has Gone Soft.

This article relates that the efforts to reduce violence in the premier soccer league in Great Britain have resulted into abrupt decline in tackles. It explains that the matches between Arsenal and Manchester used to be dominated by tackles, but stricter refereeing led to the decline of tackles over time. Statistics from 2004 to 2008 reveal the substantial decline in tackles. It highlights the role of the departure of players, Roy Keane and Patrick Viera from the league in the decline in tackles.