The Ref Stop

Chelsea v Morecombe penalty

DJIC

Well-Known Member
Was surprised the AR didn’t see the GK off his line, given he saved it so far from the goal line, to get there must have meant he didn’t start on the line?

 
The Ref Stop
Agree.

The officials at the higher levels have their own LOTG. The AR couldn't run back to position any quicker,
 
Just to elaborate on my post above. I'm not advocating a retake in the absence of an appeal. Like awarding a PK without VAR to validate a decision, I would strongly discourage any referee from being clever enough to be the only person in the ground to see an incident. But once an appeal occurs, any advantage gained (save made) from being off the line must be penalised as it is an extremely important KMI and what we're paid to adjudicate on. Any other mentality fits into the insidious disease of excessively safe refereeing that contributes to substandard refereeing at all levels. I learn a lot about a Referee when they mention 'needing to be on the halfway line, or we're not having re-takes' during the pre-match discussion. This mentality is weak and needs eradicating in my typically strong opinion.
I've had two retakes in my time and both were warranted and respected. There is nothing to fear when an appeal occurs and the decision is correct.
Nor do I see a need for incognito communication between AR and R. I believe the AR should give the decision and they should get their bloody flag up and stop hiding. That is, assuming the Ref is confident enough in his/er ARs and gives them that responsibility in pre-match. This responsibility must be discussed in pre-match

FWIW, the GK in the OP is only slightly off the line when the ball was kicked, but it should have been a retake nonetheless. The way the AR slaloms back to the touchline looks amateurish although getting back to where you need to be in such circumstances does require teletransportation
 
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Just to elaborate on my post above. I'm not advocating a retake in the absence of an appeal. Like awarding a PK without VAR to validate a decision, I would strongly discourage any referee from being clever enough to be the only person in the ground to see an incident. But once an appeal occurs, any advantage gained (save made) from being off the line must be penalised as it is an extremely important KMI and what we're paid to adjudicate on. Any other mentality fits into the insidious disease of excessively safe refereeing that contributes to substandard refereeing at all levels. I learn a lot about a Referee when they mention 'needing to be on the halfway line, or we're not having re-takes' during the pre-match discussion. This mentality is weak and needs eradicating in my typically strong opinion.
I've had two retakes in my time and both were warranted and respected. There is nothing to fear when an appeal occurs and the decision is correct.
Nor do I see a need for incognito communication between AR and R. I believe the AR should give the decision and they should get their bloody flag up and stop hiding. That is, assuming the Ref is confident enough in his/er ARs and gives them that responsibility in pre-match. This responsibility must be discussed in pre-match

FWIW, the GK in the OP is only slightly off the line when the ball was kicked, but it should have been a retake nonetheless. The way the AR slaloms back to the touchline looks amateurish although getting back to where you need to be in such circumstances does require teletransportation
At whatever level I am observing at, if the Referee does not mention what he/she wants at a penalty kick during the pre-match instructions, I will ask. More often than not some will say what I expect them to say as per Law 6, but worryingly there are quite a few who don’t. It’s not my role for them to change their view, but I will highlight it during the post match debrief and/or within their report, especially if it has a negative impact from what actually occurred during the game.
 
At whatever level I am observing at, if the Referee does not mention what he/she wants at a penalty kick during the pre-match instructions, I will ask. More often than not some will say what I expect them to say as per Law 6, but worryingly there are quite a few who don’t. It’s not my role for them to change their view, but I will highlight it during the post match debrief and/or within their report, especially if it has a negative impact from what actually occurred during the game.
Yeah, I've had referees say during the pre-match instructions that they don't want retakes, not the cleverest thing to say in front of an observer.
 
Yeah, I've had referees say during the pre-match instructions that they don't want retakes, not the cleverest thing to say in front of an observer.
Why are some refs that arrogant that they think they can use their own version of the LOTG?
 
Why are some refs that arrogant that they think they can use their own version of the LOTG?
It isn't some, I'd say that instruction, or one like I only want a retake if the keeper is locking the taker's boots, were used in the vast majority of games I lined at L4 and L3. The difference is 99% of referees weren't stupid enough to say it in front of the observer. Some referees told the ARs to just do ball over line, they would rule on encroachment for both attackers and keepers.

My usual instructions were I wasn't interested in a retake if there was no appeal, as that would just be surprising everyone. But again, that was said behind closed doors and not in front of the observer.
 
The other thing they will say during PMI is that they will take both goalkeeper movement & encroachment, which is impossible to do & in reality all they do is watch for encroachment. However, where they then can and sometimes do get caught out is if the goalkeeper makes significant movement before the kick is taken and the penalty is either saved (& the ball held onto), parried or strikes the post or crossbar and cleared etc, with the Referee up the creek!
 
The other thing they will say during PMI is that they will take both goalkeeper movement & encroachment, which is impossible to do & in reality all they do is watch for encroachment. However, where they then can and sometimes do get caught out is if the goalkeeper makes significant movement before the kick is taken and the penalty is either saved (& the ball held onto), parried or strikes the post or crossbar and cleared etc, with the Referee up the creek!
Talking of encroachment at penalties i saw a scored pen in the FL with 15 players in the area when the ball was struck. New laws.
 
Why are some refs that arrogant that they think they can use their own version of the LOTG?
You’ll hear a lot of referees (myself included) who will say ‘no surprises’. If the keeper is just off the line and nobody appeals, play on. It’s not right in terms of LOTG but you have to apply some common sense and not go looking for arguments when nobody is expecting a decision.
 
Was surprised the AR didn’t see the GK off his line, given he saved it so far from the goal line, to get there must have meant he didn’t start on the line?

Not sure on the logic of where he saved it. His back foot is only a couple of inches away. It looks more in the second picture because the back heel is lifted.

It would be a close call either way.

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I've seen plenty of games where the AR looks at the PK taker more than the GK.
Isn't that the middle official's job? AR supposed to observe the feet of GK. The only other things AR is supposed to do is see if ball went past the goal line and get back in position after. That doesn't sound like they are focused on their task.
 
If it's off, it's off. If the AR and the middle ref didn't notice, at least the people in the VAR room should've!

My point is, the AR not flagging is understandable and it is not as bad a decision as the OP makes it out to be.

Agreed That it should be spotted and reccomand retake by VAR (if indeed it's off), but this game did not have VAR so it's a non-issue.
 
My point is, the AR not flagging is understandable and it is not as bad a decision as the OP makes it out to be.

Agreed That it should be spotted and reccomand retake by VAR (if indeed it's off), but this game did not have VAR so it's a non-issue.
Oh! Well no VAR changes things. I was expecting it for such a high level competition/tournament. Still a mistake by refs if you ask me.
 
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