Surprise penalty - no surprise refereeing?

[CrossRef]

I had this very interesting event yesterday. I gave a penalty against the away team. The home striker was in the box. He make a turn close to the goal line, dribbled the ball backward about 2 - 3 yards away a bit too further and I believe he would have lose control without this foul. However, one defender made a very late tackle and his foot was kicking upward. The striker not even looking for penalty, jumped to escape but still got kicked on the leg and fell.

I blew the whistle immediately for penalty. Because the ball has already been kicked backward and was instantly cleared out of the box, the offending team players were retreating, also because I blew the whistle immediately there was no time for any of them to appeal. The away team captain contested strongly, the main reason being 'the opponents were not appealing, they knew it was not a penalty'. Then the player being kicked walked past him and said 'I was kicked on the leg', but the captain still didn't believe it was a penalty.

I saw it very clearly and the penalty was carried out. The away team was furious, the coach claimed I ruined the game after the match. I can understand their frustration but I'd no way to convince them.

I know for sure that my decision is correct by law. But I also have heard several referees talking about the principle of 'no surprise', they don't want to be the one that surprises everyone. So I would like to know how you will do if you saw a foul but no one is appealing? Are you going to give the foul straight away or you would wait for the players' reaction, in order to sell your decision more easily?

 

[Archer]

(edit: dw)

 

[one]

No surprise refereeing is often misinterpreted. For me:

The correct interpretation: If you have seen something that no one else has seen, think twice before making a decision. Maybe "your head is playing tricks on you."

Misinterpretations: Make a decision according to expectations (even if you know it is the wrong decision).

 

[CrossRef]

That makes sense and is what I am doing now. But honestly I am currently in such a stage, as I gaining experiences I am able to see more things on the pitch, but more and more I find it difficult to sell my decisions if it goes against the player expectations. If you follow most of the fouls the players screaming for, it's easier to sell, to both sides. Player's frustration for being called a 'soft foul' is much less than that of a 'missed foul'.

This is the most important things for me to improve now.

No surprise refereeing is often misinterpreted. For me:

The correct interpretation: If you have seen something that no one else has seen, think twice before making a decision. Maybe "your head is playing tricks on you."

Misinterpretations: Make a decision according to expectations (even if you know it is the wrong decision).

 

[ChasObserverRefDeveloper]

It can be helpful in grassroots football to whistle then immediately call out the reason, e. g. "Kicked him on the leg"
Think also about your positioning after whistling - move away from players to your starting point for the taking of the penalty. If players then head towards you, a palms down gesture and "It's given" comment can help to reduce the tensions.
The coach of the losing side (I'm guessing he was on the losing side) will always need to blame someone, usually you.
When officials talk about "No surprises" it's often in the context of situations like encouraging an AR to shout to the goalkeeper "Getting very close, 'keeper" rather than suddenly signalling for handling outside the area when clearing from hands.
Well done on making the decision.

 

[socal lurker]

That makes sense and is what I am doing now. But honestly I am currently in such a stage, as I gaining experiences I am able to see more things on the pitch, but more and more I find it difficult to sell my decisions if it goes against the player expectations. If you follow most of the fouls the players screaming for, it's easier to sell, to both sides. Player's frustration for being called a 'soft foul' is much less than that of a 'missed foul'.

This is the most important things for me to improve now.

Sometimes things that only we see are trifling and not things we should call. Goes back to what @one said about thinking twice.