Question Number: 32820

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 10/21/2018

RE: REC Adult

Russell of Sydney, Australia asks...

Why only a yellow?

Wondering why Referee Moss only issued a yellow for the challenge by Man City defender Vincent Kompany.

https://www.yoursoccerdose.com/2018/10/20/manchester-city-vs-burnley-highlights/

What is it about this that has it only as a yellow?

Also, how is it that Sane was only shown a yellow for this challenge on Lowton.
John Moss is a highly experienced referee, so am really surprised only a yellow for both Company and Sane.

Even if this is EPL level (with the inference that sometimes the pros are a little more tolerant), surely these incidents deserve more then yellows.

A concern I have, is that players, coaches, referees and supporters who may not know of this website (or similar) and therefore do not get the feedback that at the Pro level, somethings are tolerated differently, they may think these kind of challenges are ok if they do not see them punished appropriately.

Lastly, in the second City goal, there are concerns about the ball going out over the goal line before D. Silva crossed it in. The ball did fully cross the goal line, however, I'd excuse the near side AR as with two posts in the line of view, he may have been hindered in seeing it over the line. However, he should not have been obscured for seeing that Silva came from an offside position to cross the ball in.
Have to assume, that the shouts for the penalty may have distracted him.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Russell
Two straight red cards for serious foul play in my opinion.
On the first one I would say that Referee Moss did not see the extent of the contact. I would say he thought it was a knee rather than a studs high up into the players thigh. Had he seen what we saw I would say red card.
On the Sane one it must just have looked like an attempt to play the ball. From what we see here Sane made no effort to play the ball and it was just a kick out at Lowton which should also have been a red card. Again did Referee Moss think it was a challenge for the ball?
On the second City goal it was a comedy of errors. Was it simulation by Sane, why was the offside missed and the ball out of play?
Did the AR think that the ball was played by a Burnley defender which meant that no foul was possible. Did the AR get caught up in the moment of everyone stopping?
All in all the AR and Referee did not cover themselves in glory here. I would say Referee Moss would have lost a number of marks in his assessment in this game.
As to what others think I would not get too concerned about that. Anyone that sees these types if challenges know that they are totally unacceptable. I have seen Referee Moss dismiss players for cynical kicking like the Sane one.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=olDew6cgmOk

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

HI Russell,
Valid concerns, while the acceptance level of those at this level for these type of tackles is disproportionately higher at the elite level. I agree studs into the legs are very dangerous. Only John Moss can answer why?
MY speculation the 1st one! It was early, no screaming fit of a reaction. It was a coming together, instead of one waiting on the challenge. The leg was not completely locked it was bent & an attempt to withdraw was in evidence.
Still I see red!
In the other hack later I see it as red as well? It was strictly a wipeout tackle with zero ball involved. Again Only John Moss can answer why.
The last one was the ball fully out? It was close, it did look out but in quick real time view I was not sure, only a slow motion frame by frame review could you catch it. As to offside, who last touched the ball when the attacker was outside the goal line? If there was no PK did that mean the defender knocked the ball through then contacted the attacker ? I did not see advantage, I simply saw play continue? There appeared to be a plea for the PK, both teams appeared confused or uncertain, then play keeps going Moss goes with the baseball safe hand cross. There was no doubt that on the LAST Clear touch the attacker was offside positioned but if it was a deliberate play off the defender no offside restriction exists. I tried to isolate the ball contact point but hard from angle of view to know. Again only John Moss could know if he was playing advantage or felt the defender got a kick in to set the ball away & only then the attacker fell? Simulation then yellow card INDFK out if so. The AR where was he looking in, I cannot see an angle showing his location but lots of input from him missed here I think. All in all I would say those 3 situations could have turned out much different.
Cheers