Question Number: 23499

Character, Attitude and Control 6/18/2010

RE: All Adult

Kerry B. of Bourg, Louisiana United States asks...

Regarding the USA-Slovenia game from earlier:

In your opinion, what was called on the US team that disallowed the potential game-winning goal? Offsides, or a foul in the box?

Also: What could have been called, on both teams? (I'm sure there were multiple 'hidden' fouls missed.)

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Kerry
This is one of many questions on this topic. The referee views the game from his/her perspective based on position, view etc. Clearly the referee saw a US player commit a foul which was punished by a free kick. Yes there are multiple fouls in the phase of play and as a referee I know that we can be attracted to one particular foul for a variety of reasons. The reason can be a shout, a player that perhaps committed a similar foul earlier in the game, the flight of the ball etc.
Last season in the PL a penalty was awarded to Portsmouth against Manchester United much to the surprise of every player and indeed the viewers. On closer examination it was revealed that a Man Utd player had indeed a hold of an opponents shirt which is a penal offence punished by a penalty. Perhaps on another day it could have been missed and the TV editor would have highlighted it as a missed call by the referee
Also multiple fouls do not negate each other. The referee punishes what he believes is the 1st foul committed or indeed if he only sees one foul that is the one that is called. He can and does miss others but such is the nature of the game. Its part of the game. Anyone rememeber Portuguese referee Vitor Melo Pereira failing to see U.S. midfielder John O'Brien blatant punching the ball out of danger on a corner kick in the 2002 WC game between USA and Mexico. This is what Brad Friedel said at the time

"A great header, wasn't it?" Friedel said with a smile. "The referee made the decision. I took a double-take, maybe. When I saw it, I didn't believe it. This happens in a game. We've been on the wrong side of a lot of decisions, too."

Answer provided by Referee Ben Mueller

We are not sure of the exact call - but a few clues can help us narrow it down. The referee did not maintain his hand in the air indicating an IFK afterwards - thus he must have seen a DFK foul. Now what he saw is beyond me..but as Mr. McHugh said sometimes a quick foul can happen before the other ones and perhaps that is what happend here.

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

Ref Wickham has seen videos that suggest Bocanegra was holding Pecnik. The videos I've seen show Pecnik with a headlock on Bocanegra. The most obvious fouls are Bradley being held for more than 5 seconds and also Altidore being obviously held.

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

There has been quite a bit of speculation on what was seen. This morning's pre-game before Netherlands/Japan noted that the whistle sounded before Edu got into the clear with the ball - it must havae been something that happened a second or two prior.

It really is too bad that the policy is that referees do not comment on what was seen. A simple explanation, 'I saw a foul by X that happened first.' But I'm sure that policy would only come to back to bite us all. How many times do coaches scream out, 'Ref, what was that call?' If we expect WC referees to explain calls after the game, shouldn't we be expected to explain our own calls?

This is best kept between the ref and the assessor. FIFA will give their own opinion of the game by future asssignments for this referee.

Answer provided by Referee MrRef

Kerry,

As a referee question and answer service, we are still bound by the referee code of ethics which prevents us from publicly criticizing the performance of a referee, especially one above our pay grade, regardless of our personal feelings, unless a referee has specifically asked for our opinion.

We are happy to provide any information we can on the possible choices faced by the referee, and the result of such choices. I would reiterate what some of my colleagues have said - we weren't there, and the referee did NOT have the advantage of multiple replays from many angles or the luxury of extra time to review any decision he might wish to make or not make. Second guessing them is an ultimately frustrating exercise.