Question Number: 31281

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 2/20/2017

RE: Rec Adult

russell of Sydney, Australia asks...

This question is a follow up to question 31266

I might be putting my head on the chopping block again with this one - but, heck, better to ask the question if in doubt/confused/inexperienced.

Why did the fulham player not have a DFK awarded to him in this tackle moment, yet the Spurs player did?

Similar situation to the penalty awarded to Arsenal in the UCL match. Raised foot attempting to get to the ball, that was kicked by a spurs player.

Certainly the Fulham player came in at a bit of pace, however, evidently not at a reckless or excessive force level (no card was shown).

The commentary say 'high boot'. Certainly was, so was the Arsenal players foot - probably of a similar height as well. And like the Arsenal player, the fulham player made contact with the ball and was then kicked.

Clearly the pain the Spurs players suffered was from his own leg kicking into the Fulham player.

If it was for a high foot challenge, then presumably the restart would be IFK for PIADM. Unfortunately, I don't think this highlight package shows the restart.

fast forward to 9.35 mark
http://www.fullmatchesandshows.com/2017/02/19/fulham-vs-tottenham-hotspur-highlights/

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Russell
You will recall in my last answer that I said that the referee opined that Lewandowski kicked the Arsenal player which is a penal foul and that if the referee opined that the Arsenal player through his action such as studs up etc was the guilty party then it was a free out to Bayern Munich. He went with the former
In this situation Referee Madley opined that Johansen White #14 had shown his studs in the challenge on Alli Yellow #20. Perhaps had White toe poked the ball I believe Yellow might have been guilty of the foul. As it looked to the referee White went in with his toe up, heel down cleats showing which no doubt looked extremely dangerous to the referee. From what we saw a referee could opine that the boot was of no risk to Yellow with both players facing the same way and that it was Alli own fault that he kicked White which could be a foul to White. Did the referee think that it was the raised boot of White that caught Yellow?
On balance and in real time to the referee it will look more of a foul on Yellow than on White hence the decision. There will also be loud shouts of studs up etc
Now look closely at the incident at 1.37 in the game. Kane in possession of the ball is robbed by a White opponent. Kane kicks the opponent albeit slightly at the moment he is robbed as he tries to continue to play the ball yet White continues with the ball. Had White went down it would have been a foul by Kane.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

HI Russell,
In these cases perhaps things are best explained by my simple phrase
His Match!
His decision!
His reputation!

In your matches you will have your perception, your version of acceptable or tolerable. You will try to be consistent in your approach and hopefully you will look to see if the players' tolerance and acceptance is in sync with your own. The INDFK for PIADM , the DFK upgrade if there is contact and the reactions of the players will at times create doubt with your version of what you saw, but that doubt should not be evident. Being in a good position to sell the call goes a long way to reassuring the players you have THEIR interests at heart!
Cheers