Question Number: 31367

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 3/19/2017

RE: Rec Adult

russell of Sydney, Australia asks...

Some Torino players would go well in the Rugby codes.

Fast forward to the 1:07 mark and the first goal by Torino has an attackers not watching the ball - only pushing and shoving a defender, who, ultimately, is manoeuvred away from the critical zone where he might have been able to prevent the goal.

The focus tends to be on defenders not even watching the ball at set plays, but the attackers can be just as guilt.

Later, (at the 3:02 mark) an inter player is cleverly & briefly held back as he attempts to get to the ball, which he does manage to do, however, did he have as much control as he might have had (great save by the Keeper).
And watch all the holding in the ensuing corner.

http://www.fullmatchesandshows.com/2017/03/18/torino-vs-inter-highlights-2/

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Hi Russell,
the constant interaction and struggles between the opponents in the PA area is why most corners are now ceremonial restarts in nature. Personally I think we should award more PKs and DFK outs at the slightest of provocations rather than the constant stop that motions that referees seems to doing prior to the free kick

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Russell
The bane of the modern game. Over the past 10 years the level of holding, pushing at set plays etc has increased to a point where fouls were rarely called unless absolutely blatant. Defenders now play on that by continuing with this.
In this years EPL referees have started to clamp down and more penalties are being called. That has started to cut down this tactic. However referees are being berated for such decision by teams, pundits etc. I watched the referee award a penalty to Stoke for a push by Cahill of Chelsea. IMO the correct decision yet he was berated by many for saying it was a soft penalty.
I have said many years ago that the only way to stop this is to award penalties and if it means multiple penalties then so be. That though does not sit well with many in the game. It must though be uniformly implement by ALL referees in a league and by instruction to all referees as there is no point in a single referee going on a crusade on this.