Question Number: 27142

Law 5 - The Referee 1/27/2013

RE: Rec Adult

Robert of Winchester, England asks...

Why do referees allow players to pull and push each other and pull shirts in the penalty area and why don't they give more penalty kicks for this? We see this go unpunished in the English game every week. Why are referees so reluctant to give penalties? It would soon stamp out this behaviour if they did.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Robert
Yes a good question and one only has to listen to players, managers, commentators to find the reason why not. None want to see multiple penalty awards and they berate referee when they award penalties in these situations saying "On another day we see these waved away or ignored". The award of a penalty is a significant decision and they do have a significant effect on tight games
I think that the only way to stop this is to go the multiple penalty route and all referees have to do it until this is eradicated from the game. Referees in total as a group have to do it not just one referee on a personal crusade.
It also requires the support of the wider football community and to fully support referees in their decision making.

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

Robert, any referee has to gauge what the players believe is fair play. In general, players are ok with the lack of penalty calls at the professional level so don't expect any change anytime soon. Sure, the player fouled will complain a bit but in general, you would hear a huge outcry if all of a sudden every game had 10-15 penalty kicks which, as Ref McHugh points out, is what it would take to get referees to call fouls in the penalty area.

I remember a WUSA referee saying; 'If I don't see a broken bone sticking out, I'm not awarding a penalty kick.' An exaggeration but the point was made. Most of the time at the pro level, it takes a blatant foul that adversely affects a shooting opportunity to see a penalty awarded. Then, of course, you don't see the proper send-off for DOGSO

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