In The Opinion Of The Referee

Category: Case Studies

  • Case Study: Issuing a Caution for Shirt Removal

    It is not news to regular readers of this space that a player who removes his shirt during a goal celebration is subject to sanction.  The FIFA publication “Interpretation of the Laws of the Game and Guidelines for Referees” addresses the issue directly.  Page 118 of the electronic version (published with the LOTG), under the…

  • Case Study: A Lengthy Send Off

    In a recent Barclay’s Premier League derby match between Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur, Referee Howard Webb sent off Spurs striker Emmanuel Adebayor in the 17th minute for serious foul play.  There can be little argument this was the correct decision.  But the delay was lengthy and some interesting interactions took place that are worthy of…

  • Case Study: Dealing With Dissent. Or Not, In This Case

    Daniel Agger directs the f-bomb at an Assistant Referee and the Referee does nothing about it. Disappointing.

  • Case Study: What's Wrong With This Picture?, Vol. 2

    What’s wrong with this photo might not be readily apparent, but there is a very serious problem to address.

  • Case Study: Atkinson Shows Grace Under Fire

    In a recent Premier League match between Sunderland and Newcastle United, referee Martin Atkinson typified the English style of player management: cool, calm and collected, despite circumstances that tested him. In the 25th minute of the match, Atkinson sent off Newcastle player Cheick Tiote for violent conduct when the player went into a challenge studs…

  • Case Study: A Deserved Send Off That Shouldn't Have Been

    In a recent Premier League match between Swansea City FC and Sunderland AFC, new Premier League Referee Roger East sent off Swansea defender Chico Flores in the 71st minute for serious foul play. Flores was pursuing an attacking Sunderland player down the left touchline when the ball bounced high. Flores foolishly tried to play the…

  • Case Study: I Got The Ball, 1,057th Edition

    In a recent Premier League match between Manchester United (white) and Southampton (Red), referee Mike Dean awarded a penalty kick to Manchester United in the 68th minute. The foul was committed by Southampton defender Jos Hooiveld, who proceeded to employ the classic “but I got the ball” defense. As the frame grabs show, Hooiveld indeed…

  • Case Study: Atkinson Shows Cards Aren't Always Necessary

    On 25 August 2012, Martin Atkinson was the referee in a Premier League (ENG) match between West Ham United (blue) and Swansea FC (white). Early in the match, #4 white was attacking down the right side and lost possession of the ball to a blue defender (images 1 to 3). He subsequently fouled the defender,…

  • Case Study: Referee Pedersen Gets It Right (Again)

    So much to talk about from the CAN-USA Women’s Olympic semi-final football match. Today, we’ll take a look at the handling call that resulted in a penalty kick for USA. First, I think it is instructional to quote from the FIFA publication “Interpretation of the Laws of the Game and Guidelines for Referees.” (Unfortunately, many…

  • Case Study: In Praise of Mark Geiger's Olympic Send-Off

    Case Study # 1-2012 Date 26 Jul 2012 Competition Olympic Men’s Football Group Stage Fixture/Result Spain 0 – 1 Japan Referee/Badge Mark Geiger (USA), FIFA At Issue A confident decision to send off Spain defender Inigo Martinez is facilitated by Geiger’s mastery of fundamentals I don’t normally comment on the peformance of professional level referees…