Question Number: 29942

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 11/23/2015

RE: Adult

DEMETRIS of LIMASSOL, CYPRUS asks...

Hello.I have a question:why on the following video it is not a penalty at 2.13 Reference game: Apoel vs Anorthosis 0-2 (https://youtu.be/plL7DGNXtfM). Cyprus league . Pls also comment on the other 2 penalties that are given by the ref.Thanks/Demetris

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Demetris
From the video provided it looks to me that both penalty decisions were correct. On the first one the AAR is within yards of the incident and the defender fails to play the ball and his outstretched leg catches the attacker.
On the second one it looks like the defenders left leg caught the attackers left leg which is a foul and a penalty.
In both instances the officials were well placed to make the calls. Perhaps the attackers somewhat exaggerated their falls afterwards yet unfortunately that is part of the modern game.
Also please remember that the officials get one go at the call from their angle of view unlike ourselves who have slow motion, multiple angles, freeze frame etc. In real time and in game situations both decision would look like penalties so the officials could not be faulted for the calls.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Hi Demetrius,

The two penalties awarded were correct in my opinion.

The first PK COULD have looked liked the defender might have played the ball, THEN, the attacker fell over the leg, but the AAR could see what the replay showed, the attacker gets a side toe in to push the ball away from the defender just ahead of the try by the defender and the trip is now easy to spot.

The 2nd PK again the leg gets left in and as the referee shrugs off the complaints, it seems clear it catches the attackers feet. The referee seems to be indicating. It is what it is!

The collision could be seen as a PK as the keeper does appear to make contact with the attacker first but when he come up with the ball after it strikes his leg so quickly it seems to nullify that fact Yet the match referee did not see it as such. He saw it as a legit save, a proverbial 50/50. Thus my opinion is just that, an opinion. If that ball had squirted through the result might have been different. Credit the bravery of the keeper for going horizontal and being slightly fortunate the ball caught his leg and bounced right into his hands.

Cheers