Question Number: 23594

Character, Attitude and Control 7/2/2010

RE: Competitive Adult

Chris Orme of Bathurst, NSW Australia asks...

This question is a follow up to question 23563

Surely the most blatant elbow was by a USA player in the first minute of play. An elbow straight into the head region of his opponent. Didn't you see that one?

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Referee Orme
Yes it was noticed and commented on by various media. Always remember that the referee does not have the benefit of our view, multiple camera angles, replays, slow motion etc.
As referees we hear all the time from players that they have been elbowed, kicked, insulted etc away from the ball and it is not in our view. When the referee does not see it/hear it there is little he can do other than say he did not witness it, warn the player/s about future behaviour and keep a watchful eye on the player/s for the rest of the match.

Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

A few days later, a French player was sent off for a similar blow.

The lesson for referees is that serious foul play can occur in the first minute as the first foul, and must be addressed. How the referee deals with the first 'moment of truth' sets the stage for the rest of the match.

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

Yup. Just another foul this referee missed. Unfortunately he missed a lot of fouls ON USA players especially in the penalty area

Answer provided by Referee Michelle Maloney

Not sure what your point might be, or the purpose for the question, but the fact remains that referees are human. They make thousands of decisions in a game, most of which are correct, and run many miles. There are many things to focus on all at once and occasionally, the focus turns out to have been in the wrong area.

In spite of my colleague's statement about the possible bias of the referee, I find it hard to believe a referee at that level carries any bias against any team or player into a game - they want to make it to the final just like the teams. It is possible that some teams are more skilled than others in hiding the cheating they practice, and if the referee is not focused in that area, it can be missed. Even the very best referees occasionally miss very important calls - in this game the US was unlucky.

The following questions were asked as a follow up to the above question...

See Question: 23623