In ‘Behind the Whistle’, former Premier League referee Chris Foy goes through a selection of key match decisions from recent Sky Bet Championship, League One and League Two action.
Behind the Whistle aims to give supporters of EFL clubs an insight into the decision-making considerations and also clarify specific calls to provide an understanding of how the Laws of the Game are interpreted.
As part of a regular function Sky Sports At the conclusion of a day’s play, Foy will be here to talk you through some refereeing matters in the EFL…
Blackburn Rovers 0-0 Coventry City
Incident: Possible Red Card – Denial of an Obvious Goals Chance (DOGSO) – (Coventry City)
Decision: Red card shown – DOGSO (Coventry City)
Foy says: “This clip highlights positive on-pitch decision-making and excellent real-time judgment that results in Coventry City’s No.15 being sent off for denying an obvious scoring opportunity.”
“With Blackburn’s No.9 clearly running towards the opposition goal, he is obviously being held back, which has an unfair effect on him and results in the attacker going down. The referee correctly recognizes the foul and then has to decide whether it is a foul.” Blackburn No. 9 has been denied an obvious goal-scoring opportunity.
“In my opinion the decision to show Coventry City No.15 a red card is the right one as Blackburn No.9 is clearly moving towards the goal and is in control of the ball. At the moment the foul is committed, Coventry City.” No. 4 does not have the option to act as a covering defender.
“This situation meets all the criteria for a DOGSO and the referee comes to the correct conclusion.”
Bristol City 2-0 Rotherham United
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Tommy Conway won a penalty for Bristol City in the Sky Bet Championship game against Rotherham United following this incident
Incident: Possible Penalty – Foul (Bristol City)
Decision: Penalty awarded (Bristol City)
Foy says: “As this attacking phase of the game develops, the first important decision is whether Bristol City No.15 is onside as he runs towards the through ball. Although it’s a very close situation, I think the assistant referee made a mistake.” The verdict is to keep the flag down because the attacker is just offside.
“As Bristol City’s number 15 moves around the goalkeeper, he falls to the ground and the referee points to the spot.”
“The replays confirm that the attacking player makes minimal contact, which does not result in him stumbling, as Bristol City No.15 takes a few steps before going down. Given the high threshold for punishing contact the referee should not have awarded a penalty.
“In my opinion, the attacker deceived the referee and the correct decision would be to book the Bristol City No.15 for simulation and award Rotherham United an indirect free kick.”
Exeter City 1-2 Oxford United
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Following this incident, Oxford United were awarded a penalty in their Sky Bet League One game against Exeter City
Incident: Possible penalty (Oxford United)
Decision: Penalty awarded – foul (Oxford United)
Foy says: “Although it appears to be a fairly simple decision by the referee to award Oxford United a penalty here, it is a clip that highlights the importance of creating an angle to allow a clear view.
“At the start of the clip, the referee is in a central position while the ball is played wide out. He then does well to sprint across the pitch and create an angle to keep the developing action in front of him.”
“Oxford’s No.23 then falls in the penalty area and the referee has no hesitation in pointing to the penalty spot, taking advantage of his acceleration, positioning and movement leading up to the penalty.”
Peterborough United 3-3 Bolton Wanderers
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Joel Randall scored this goal for Peterborough United in their Sky Bet League One game against Bolton Wanderers
Incident: Goal scored – possible offside (Peterborough United)
Decision: Goal awarded – no offside (Peterborough United)
Foy says: “As far as onside decisions go, this is one of the best you’ll see as Peterborough United’s No.14 races for goals and points.”
“Given the fast-moving nature of the game and the action in and around the halfway line, it can be extremely difficult for officials to assess close calls like this.”
“Both Peterborough United No.14 and Bolton Wanderers No.2 are perfectly in line, on the halfway line; therefore Peterborough United are number 14 on the side.”
“The assistant referee got it absolutely to the point and the goal was correctly allowed to stand.”
Bradford City 4-1 Newport County
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Bradford City scored this goal in the Sky Bet League Two game against Newport County
Incident: Goal scored – possible ball outside the quadrant (Bradford City)
Decision: Goal given (Bradford City)
Foy says: “If the ball is placed before the corner kick, it appears as if the entire ball is outside the quadrant.
“This is not recognized by the match officials and play is allowed to continue, with Bradford City then scoring from a set piece.”
“The replays confirm that the ball is outside the quadrant and not hanging over it. In this case, the match officials should have worked together to ensure the ball was placed correctly.”