Question Number: 30258

Other 4/5/2016

RE: Competitive Adult

Ryan of Mascot, NSW Australia asks...

Just wanted to follow up on my 2 questions earlier this week, firstly to thank you all for your answers and secondly to explain that yes it was an eventful game in which we were comfortably winning 3-1 before the throw-in incident cost us a red card (which it seems may have been warranted based on your feedback) and 2 mins later receiving a second red card and a penalty when it seems we should have received a free kick and the opposition should also have received a red card. They scored the subsequent penalty and a second penalty minutes later. We went on to lose 5-3 with 9 men in a game which we never looked uncomfortable. Bloody refs!

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Ryan
I see it so many times where teams lose their discipline and get involved with opponents when they should simply get on with play. The focus then switches to the referee who simply implements the law based on what he sees, from his position at that time. He is not all seeing, all hearing. If your two team mates got on with play from a comfortable winning position it may have ended that way.
Teams need to manage what is under their control. The weather, opponents, referees etc are outside the teams control. Team discipline and focus is certainly under the teams control.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Hi Rtan,
1st red card was on the thrower you are ok with per our explanation
but
are wondering why the retaliation resulted in red and the 1st foul did not. FRom how you describe You guys DID NOT get the free kick and had to play a man down correct?
SO
I hear you saying the cautioned opponent who created the foul was ignored BECAUSE the referee felt your retaliation was more severe awarding them a PK ?

Did the referee state how he viewed the event?
To award them a PK he would HAVE to decided YOUR team mate fouled first INSIDE your PA and your teammate punched 1st? There is no advantage possible here to declare the 2nd foul was worse than the first so we will use that one. Sometimes what we think we see is not the same as how the referee saw it. If the referee DID change the restart because he thought the 2nd foul was worse than the first he was incorrect to do so. Best ask him.

Cheers