When we train new referees, we often tell them this about being an assistant referee: “if you’re doing your job as an assistant referee, you’ll miss most of the match”.
Among their several duties, the trailing assistant referee provides eyes behind the back of the referee, spotting off the ball nonsense that the referee may not see. As such, it is imperative that ARs not get caught “ball watching”.
FIFA Assistant Referee Peter Kirkup illustrates this brilliantly when he spots violent conduct on the pitch, behind the back of Referee Craig Pawson.
Just as coaches tell defenders, we tell new assistant referees: don’t get caught ball watching!
In The Opinion Of The Referee 
9 responses to “Case Study: Keep Your Eyes Off The Ball”
Never a red card
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Well done, AR. Red it is, off you go.
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red card yes for the hull player ,but should have also given a yellow to the spurs player he was no angel was a bit naughty to ,,,
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all this could have been prevented if the referee called the foul.
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This only proves how it important it is to have good communication with the assistant referee(s)
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Great card. Great communication. VC all day.
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missed foul creates the retaliation which is easily cautionable but red for VC is simply ludicrous as a match necessity not required
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both should’ve been sent off.Verthonghen initiates a VC,pushing Ramirez whith his knee and impeding him to stand and continue playing,all this,when not challenging for the ball.So,Verthonghen was the provocateur of the scrum and can not escape punishment too.I believe that in similar situations,when both players are guilty in a scrum and comsuming a VC,should be sent off,cause is not fair and equal to sent off only one player that consume e VC as a result of a previous VC of the other player in his detriment.
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Great call from the AR and just a simple text book red card – cannot understand what the fuss is all about.
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