Question Number: 26806

Law 5 - The Referee 9/20/2012

RE: Pro Fan! Adult

Andrew of Wellington, Wellington New Zealand asks...

In the United vs Galatasary Champions Leage Game the commentators claimed there were two Galatasry penalties that should have been awarded. In both cases they were where United had the ball in their defencive box and an attacker nipped in to take the ball off them as they were winding up for the clearence. Both times the ball went away from the goal. I can't see how this is a penalty it seems more like a successful tackle to me (as it would be if it happened at the other end)
What do u think?

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Andrew
Yes there were a number of strong claims for penalties in the game. One of the difficulties facing referees is that their decision making is being judged based on video evidence which includes slow motion and freeze frame. Referees and assistant don't have that luxury and they have to make a claim on what it looks to them from their angle of view.
I watched the game and I thought both Galatasary claims were justified yet I can also see why they were not given. In the opening minute I believe the challenge by Vidic on Bulut when he upended him was a clumsy foul and it did injure the player. Maybe it was because it was the 1st minute before the officials 'settled' and the ball being played at the same time that caused the no call or simply not seeing it as a foul from his angle of view.
The challenge by Johnny Evans was shown to contact the opponent just an instant before the ball and it looked like it was the opponent that actually touched the ball. That looked less like a penalty due to the close presence of the ball on the ground and it direction after the challenge.
I would also say that the contact on Nani was also a foul as the Galatasary defender catches Nani's foot after the ball is played away. Again that was ruled out.
So not an easy night for Wolfgang Stark the experienced German referee. He could easily have given 4 penalties. In the end he decided that the only certain one was the foul on Raphael.