Question Number: 31120

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 12/20/2016

RE: Adult

Mehdi of Mashhad, Iran asks...

http://video.varzesh3.com/video/129863/Ú¯Ù„-اول-محمد-قاضÛ'Ø›-Ù†Ùت-تهران-استقلال

Hello and thank you for creating this website and patiently observing the questions I ask every week.

Here comes another one:

http://video.varzesh3.com/video/129863/Ú¯Ù„-اول-محمد-قاضÛ'Ø›-Ù†Ùت-تهران-استقلال

Is this a penalty?

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Mehdi
Having studied this video a number of time I believe it was a foul and the correct decision was made by the referee. The Red player plays the ball and Blue player then makes contact with the back of the Red players outstretched right leg. That makes it a careless tackle and as it was inside the penalty area the restart is a penalty kick.
Now did the challenge need to be made? Probably not and the Blue player is slow to play the ball away which allows Red to get to the ball first before the contact on his right leg. Given as well that it was a heavy touch by Red there was always going to be little danger as to how play unfolded.

Answer provided by Referee Jason Wright

Hi Mehdi,

I'm glad you're enjoying the site!

I agree with Ref McHugh. The key for me is that the Red player got in front of the Blue player before the Blue player even began to kick for the ball. Because Red was in front, THEN Blue kicked that makes it a foul.

Challenges similar to this won't always be a foul - if Red stuck his legs in front as Blue was already kicking then it wouldn't be a foul be Blue. The timing is key.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Hi Mehdi,
thanks for the kind words. We enjoy sharing the game with like minded individuals and try to set the myths to rest whenever we can!
I should point out when we review a video of another colleagues' decision we do not pass judgment because we realize all too well the view from the middle in REAL time, is never the same angle of view from the armchair in slow motion, rewind or frame by frame dissection. A former countryman of yours Esfandiar Baharmast, who immigrated to the USA when the two countries were friendlier is immortalized in a soccer video that , in my opinion is the essence of integrity and proves the sayings. A Spectator sees what he thinks, a Coach sees want he wants, a Player sees what he feels and a Referee sees what he sees

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7-lNODXuA6k

If we consider your video for instructional purposes as one of theoretical or for possible foul recognition, then our opinions might have merit. To simply disagree has relatively little value . If we confirm the decision given it was his match (not ours) His reputation gets no bump based on our thumbs up. Proportionately , our opinion, if we choose to disagree also plays no major part in his reputation. We must tread carefully when offering explanations to not employee criticism or generate needless controversy on matters already decided.
Based on what we can determine from the video the case for a careless foul can be made as the blue player kicks the leg of the red player. As a Careless foul INSIDE the PA it became an automatic PK. There is no need to caution a it was not reckless nor was it a tactical deliberate take down, simply a wee bit late on a challenge! It certainly can be suggested that red placed his leg over just as the blue player was trying to get to the ball but as my colleagues mention the timing of the event has red kick the ball THEN blue kicks red. I have seen attackers deliberately place or move legs into or towards a defender to draw a foul but this is not one of those times! The only debate is is it a kicking or tripping foul but as both are penalty fouls does it matter? lol
Cheers Merry Christmas