Question Number: 31050

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 11/24/2016

RE: Rec Adult

russell of Sydney, Australia asks...

Another penalty question - this time in the Celtic v Messi UCL match this morning.

http://theworldgame.sbs.com.au/video/816413251561/Celtic-v-Barcelona

With the benefit of the remote in hand and slow-motion replay from the armchair, were the match crew fooled by Suarez in the penalty?

Certainly, the defender was closely marking him, however, Suarez clearly locks the defenders arm into his body by clamping down on it, and it looks like this dragged the defender onto Suarez providing him the perfect opportunity to display the dark arts of an experienced forward.

It would appear the angle of view of the CR would probably have obscured this.

Am surprised the goal line assistant did not pick this up as I'd have thought that would be a obviously moment to pay particular attention too.
(LOTG " 'With the exception of the reserve assistant referee, they assist the referee with offences and infringements when they have a clearer view than the referee...').

In these situations, what could I (as either CR or as an assistant) do to help distinguish between the dark arts from either player) being employed.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Russell
From what we saw on the video replay it could easily have been a free kick to the defending team. The Celtic player got sucked into too tight of contact on Suarez and as he placed his arm around Suarez in a position that allowed the opponent to hold it under his arm. The Celtic defender did not appear to get any contact on the ball and his outstretched leg makes contact with Suarez which is also a foul. I think had the defender got contact on the ball playing it away for a corner or throw in he may have got the benefit of the call. That though did not happen.
Interestingly in Irelands national sport of Gaelic football this is a tactic that referees look for as players do this quite often to draw the foul. As the players can catch and hold the ball in GAA players reach around opponents to try to dispossess them of the ball. The player in possession of the ball can hold the arm covertly to draw the foul in the manner used by Suarez. It will look like a foul all day long.
Now having said that Emilio Izaguirre of Celtic placed his arm around Suarez which allowed the situation to develop in the first place. Did that arm position hold Suarez in the first place? Some think that it did while others are of the opinion that Suarez ensured the foul by holding on to the arm dragging both to the ground. Izaguirre as I said also make leg contact without playing the ball which is always a foul. Perhaps without being sucked in that might not have happened as well.
It was certainly an easy call in real time and it looked more of a penalty than a foul by Suarez. As to the assistance of the AR and AAR it could also be a difficult one. The AR is looking for offside and may see the Celtic player place his arm around Suarez and then miss the under arm holding part.
It would be interesting in the context of the proposed VAR system whether it would be be given against Suarez?

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Hi Russell,
The leg push out to get tripped or the arm pinch to get dragged down, you call them the dark arts ah those despicable wicked warlocks and witches of the game who look to draw a foul out of thin air as a magic trick.
I can appreciate Suarez footie abilities but as a human being, the man is a burnt piece of toast with the biting, blatant cheating and win at ANY costs attitude, he is a pariah to all great players no matter how good he maybe or patriotic to the colours he flies. I have little regard for him as a great one in the game. In the leagues we play in some of his antics could have him barred from competition for months or years at a time. Then again perhaps my perception is misguided and they simply do not feed him enough so he is always hungry as a super competitor raw meat taste good I imagine! My distaste is neither effective or likely to impact how he plays or what he thinks. Perhaps I am just jealous that he is doing what I only dreamed of and just bitter that his past antics do not support such a privilege.

Cheers