Question Number: 31279

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 2/20/2017

RE: Rec Adult

russell of Sydney, Australia asks...

In a recent post, I questioned how sometimes things just happen as part of play (the Penalty awarded to Arsenal in the UCL match), and the panel pointed out the merits of the decision.
I live and learn :)

Still, my confusion (or is that inexperience) is in similar moments. Like when the Leganes attacker takes out the Barca defender in the following clip.

Absolutely no doubt it appears as a slip and seemingly 100% accidental, yet, accident or not, he took a defender out of play in a promising attack.

Is the ref correct to not pull it up? Was it just part of play? Was it an error by the match crew?

If it was the opposite way around - it would surely be a DFK (penalty if in the PA).

fast forward to the 4.40 mark
http://www.fullmatchesandshows.com/2017/02/19/barcelona-vs-leganes-highlights-full-match/

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Russell
This should have been a foul. Blue takes out Purple albeit accidentally yet Blues actions were careless losing his footing and sliding into his opponent preventing him from playing the ball.
I think the referee will be questioned here by the match observer and he was lucky that nothing came of it. Had a goal been scored or the Barca player had to foul the attacker on the through ball it could have been a game changing decision.
Foul all day long and no caution as it was careless not reckless.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

HI Russell.
just missed by the referee or ignored but it was a careless foul all day anywhere in the park! I agree a great defensive poke saved the day but if it had resulted in a goal the post game review would have blown this up into a what did you see, what were you thinking moment?
Cheers