Question Number: 33823

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 12/28/2019

RE: Rec Adult

Russell of Sydney, Australia asks...

Merry Festive season to all.

Foul or no foul " evidently not according to only those that decide.
In the lead up to the second goal for Wolves v Man City, I'm surprised the 'challenge' on Mendy as he (foolishly) attempted to shield the ball out of play, was not considered a foul foe push in the back by the Wolves player.
No doubt there will comments like 'at the professional level - a higher tolerance is given', or, 'none of the City players seemed to object', and, maybe there is a little in these comments, however, down here in the grass roots level, I find it hard to see anything but a foul for the very clear charge from behind.
Not surprised Ref Atkinson did not call it, as he probably did not have the perspective line of sight to see it. Am surprised the AR did not consider it a foul, and clearly the VAR team had no issue with it " so bottomline is I'm wrong and need to rethink what is foul.
I'd like to know if the roles had been reversed and that was a defending player doing the same to the Wolves player in the PA " would it go unpunished? Based in this call " presumably yes.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Russell
At lower levels of the game this probably would be called as a foul as an illegal charge.
At higher levels and in the Premier League I observe that referees are slow to call the strong contact on the back. Many defenders went to ground easily in these situations expecting an easy fouls . That seems to have been tightened up on when it is not obvious that it is a push or a charge using reckless or excessive force. In some ways gone back to the way it was many years ago.

Answer provided by Referee Peter Grove

Hi Russell,
For my thoughts on this, please see my answer to question 33822.

Seasons greetings to you and yours also.