It is the referees job to be fair to both sides. Ceremonial free kick process is not written in the LOTG but it is commonly accepted by both defenders and attackers. Once the referee starts a CFK then going against the expectation to favour one side (attackers or defenders) is simply unfair.I am intrigued by the views expressed here that the referee should be waiting for the goalkeeper to organise his defence, possibly calling players from some distance to join the "wall", then positioning himself for the kick - the free kick was awarded because of an offence by a member of the defending team, and once the referee says "On the whistle" it's the goalkeeper's job to be ready . . . not the referee's job to wait for him.
Interesting guidance - thanks for sharing. Does not mention the goalkeeper's position. Does mention blowing the whistle after moving out of the way. My view is that the goal should have stood.It is the referees job to be fair to both sides. Ceremonial free kick process is not written in the LOTG but it is commonly accepted by both defenders and attackers. Once the referee starts a CFK then going against the expectation to favour one side (attackers or defenders) is simply unfair.
side note: the Australian printed version of lotg has guidelines for CFK. Note step 7.
View attachment 4836
It shouldn't be. For me it's simple. If one is paid is paid to do a job one should be open to criticism as long as it is not personal.It's difficult to gauge what level of criticism is appropriate.
No but it does say 'all' in readiness and 'players' are settled. A goalkeeper is a player and part of all. He was neither ready nor settled.Does not mention the goalkeeper's position
Won't he be too old by then?It was embarassing, Mason is meant to be one of the FAs top refs and makes an error what you probably wont see on a local parks game. Mason will still be refereeing Premier League in 20yrs time
Hard to disagree with any of this tbh...It's difficult to gauge what level of criticism is appropriate. Yes, he's human and all referees are fallible; on the other hand, if some one is not good enough to grace the field of play at professional level (or any level for that matter), they're gonna get called out and that experience is never likely to be nice
That's life
To me, blame lies with everyone involved. In particular, the PGMOL and the selection process for SG1/SG2, both of which carry referees for many many years who are nowhere near up to standard. Since taking to the whistle, it's become apparent to me that there's something not right with Referee Development and Promotion. If we want to progress, we have to adhere to someone else's creed and there's virtually no scope for finding talent through 'natural selection'. Either strictly obey the cardboard cut-out code, otherwise forget about progressing
WRT Mason, he just doesn't look right on the FOP. His scuttling running style, age, body-language and overall ability falls a long way short of my expectation and that type of comment and criticism is just a fact of life for anyone under-preforming in the public-eye
But of course I have sympathy for him as a person with feelings and so on
Agreed - I have been known to tell (both teams I might add) before KO that if you want to take a quick free kick just go ahead and do so, don't wait for me - I can always stop play and bring it back if I'm not happy with anything. I don't remember FKs needing a whistle to go ahead, but I might be out of touch these days (wouldn't be the first time! ). My usual chat at a DFK within about 20-30yds of goal is "Do you want the full 10 yards or a quick FK?" If they say quick, I get out of the way sharpish and let them get on with it (no whistle needed). Have seen one or two embarrassed GKs as a result, but at least the team who were fouled against don't get penalised twice! P.S. I've never asked "do you want the full 9.15m" and never will!Ceremonial free kicks massively favour the defending team.
Just stand back and have a look what's happening first. Far too many referee's who won't allow non-ceremonial free kicks in the final third, or ones who say "once I'm there it's on the whistle". The later category are usually desperate to get there and start the process.
The players should be expected to start retreating as soon as the foul is given.
Welbeck didn't know either - even more shocking!The complete ignorance of the laws of the game from professional commentators and ex-pros is staggering. Following Welbeck's penalty hitting the post and rebounding straight to him, Lee Mason awards an indirect free kick to West Brom and neither of the commentary team knew why and even suggested it could have been for offside!
as they showed on MOTD last night Martin Atkinson did it last season and allowed the goal to stand.It's just basic game management. Why on earth would you blow to restart with the keeper not in position and still lining up his wall, you are risking causing yourself unnecessary grief. I'm happy with them going quickly if it is immediately after I've given the foul, but once I've decided it is ceremonial the timeline is mine.
Yes as an aside Brighton have the 2nd most touches in oppo pen area (Only Man City have more) in the PL, but are just above bottom 3!One thing almost neglected in all of this is the Brighton missed the target with 2 penalties! They've had 60 shots on goal, 20 in target and only scored once in their last 3 games.
Think they need to look at themselves before absolutely caning the ref
Yes as an aside Brighton have the 2nd most touches in oppo pen area (Only Man City have more) in the PL, but are just above bottom 3!
Guidelines from IFAB in the 2020-2021 laws say the whistle must be used after the 9.15 metres/10 yards is achieved. Premier League guidance over a number of years is that once the referee reaches the free kick location it will be a "ceremonial" kick on the whistle. This was introduced after a couple of goals from quick free kicks caused a lot of debateAgreed - I have been known to tell (both teams I might add) before KO that if you want to take a quick free kick just go ahead and do so, don't wait for me - I can always stop play and bring it back if I'm not happy with anything. I don't remember FKs needing a whistle to go ahead, but I might be out of touch these days (wouldn't be the first time! ). My usual chat at a DFK within about 20-30yds of goal is "Do you want the full 10 yards or a quick FK?" If they say quick, I get out of the way sharpish and let them get on with it (no whistle needed). Have seen one or two embarrassed GKs as a result, but at least the team who were fouled against don't get penalised twice! P.S. I've never asked "do you want the full 9.15m" and never will!
I didn't see MOTD, was that the one vs Liverpool? If so, I remember the particular controversy with that was that they'd had to substitute the keeper - so not only was the keeper not ready, he'd only just arrived on the pitch and started to communicate with his defence!as they showed on MOTD last night Martin Atkinson did it last season and allowed the goal to stand.
I didn't see MOTD, was that the one vs Liverpool? If so, I remember the particular controversy with that was that they'd had to substitute the keeper - so not only was the keeper not ready, he'd only just arrived on the pitch and started to communicate with his defence!