Referees

[Martinmalta]

I mentioned this before and assume many agree. English referees are the worst around. Two clear penalties against Ipswich and none given. It'd a shame because this is happening time and time again. As everyone saw from recent Premier games, even with the help of VAR, some decisions were controversial. English clubs in general invest millions in bringing the best coaches and players from all over the world ... is it about time the FA start recruiting quality referees from around the world as well? Some decisions are shocking to say the least.

[topperharley]

VAR is not fun at all though.

It needs to be used in 2 ways, one as the refs back up in 50/50 decisions, the other incase a ref has clearly missed something. As Ferguson said years ago, it cannot take longer than 30 seconds to reach a decision.

It's such a shame when things don't go your way, refs are only human, they all make mistakes.

[Abseits]

I know that was handball if you apply the deranged 2023 standards of VAR assisted Premier League football. However between 1882 and 2015ish was that handball? I doubt it.... didn't affect trajectory of ball or prevent our players form reaching the ball, a slightly overhit cross brushing a defenders hand after sailing over a gaggle of players. For 140 years that would have mostly been deemed accidental, an inconsequential football incident.
Obviously replaying it in slo-mo and frame-by-frame will make it look like the defender juggled the ball before autographing it. Idiot VAR would then give a penalty. Madness! If you gave me opportunity of having VAR or "duff" Championship refs I'd choose the latter all day long.
In this division we need to pile pressure on the ref by creating lots of "football incidents", we need far more shots, crosses and penalty box action to get the ref making decisions every 5 minutes not once or twice a game.

[SheepRanger]

I know that was handball if you apply the deranged 2023 standards of VAR assisted Premier League football. However between 1882 and 2015ish was that handball? I doubt it.... didn't affect trajectory of ball or prevent our players form reaching the ball, a slightly overhit cross brushing a defenders hand after sailing over a gaggle of players. For 140 years that would have mostly been deemed accidental, an inconsequential football incident.
Obviously replaying it in slo-mo and frame-by-frame will make it look like the defender juggled the ball before autographing it. Idiot VAR would then give a penalty. Madness! If you gave me opportunity of having VAR or "duff" Championship refs I'd choose the latter all day long.
In this division we need to pile pressure on the ref by creating lots of "football incidents", we need far more shots, crosses and penalty box action to get the ref making decisions every 5 minutes not once or twice a game.

A penalty kick is awarded if a player commits a direct free kick offence inside their penalty area or off the field as part of play as outlined in Laws 12 and 13.

https://www.thefa.com/football-rules...and-misconduct

The tounching of the ball was not deliberate and did not occur from an unnatural position. It just flashed across him and I dont think the ball even changed direction. So, I agree it was not a penalty. I think some pundits should read the rules of the game before given opinions.

The Smyth one was borderline. He tried to squeeze between players and was almost going down as he was running before the hand got to his shoulder. The ref was consistent in not awarding Ipswich a pen for a similar incident in the last few minutes of the game.

[rodman]

A penalty kick is awarded if a player commits a direct free kick offence inside their penalty area or off the field as part of play as outlined in Laws 12 and 13.

https://www.thefa.com/football-rules...and-misconduct

The tounching of the ball was not deliberate and did not occur from an unnatural position. It just flashed across him and I dont think the ball even changed direction. So, I agree it was not a penalty. I think some pundits should read the rules of the game before given opinions.

The Smyth one was borderline. He tried to squeeze between players and was almost going down as he was running before the hand got to his shoulder. The ref was consistent in not awarding Ipswich a pen for a similar incident in the last few minutes of the game.

I get the point you're making, but this incident was outside the box anyway.

[SheepRanger]

I get the point you're making, but this incident was outside the box anyway.

Cheers, I didnt appreciate that.

But the issue relates to whether it was a direct freekick offence. If it was inside the box it would be a pen. It was outside, but he still didnt give a direct freekick. So was consistent in his decision making even though the outcome would have been different.

[LoftusRoadLad]

In the premiership that would have been a penalty. His arm was raised in the area.

[72bus]

I'd have given the 1st one as the Ipswich player had his hands on Smyth , it's not my job to know how much pressure he's putting on the player , his hands shouldn't be on him.
The handball is a penalty in 2023 because his arm is deemed to be in a unnatural position ( I'm a Ref).

[SheepRanger]

I'd have given the 1st one as the Ipswich player had his hands on Smyth , it's not my job to know how much pressure he's putting on the player , his hands shouldn't be on him.
The handball is a penalty in 2023 because his arm is deemed to be in a unnatural position ( I'm a Ref).

In the Smyth one I think he seems to step right and almost checked his run to invite the collision. I dont think that was a pen.

Ive look at the handball again, and with the ball chest high the arm would only be in that position if the defender was in the air after jumping. His feet were on the ground so his arm should hsve been lower to his hip. I tend to agree with you now after looking at the replay a few times.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=9kr_SpswANY

My dad was a ref for over 30yrs in the Pembrokeshire league. He mainly reffed Div 1 top gains and the cup finals. He was well respected. If he got any complaints from the players he'd wait until they messed up and say "and you think Im rubbish..!" What level do you ref?

[Abseits]

In the Smyth one I think he seems to step right and almost checked his run to invite the collision. I dont think that was a pen.

Ive look at the handball again, and with the ball chest high the arm would only be in that position if the defender was in the air after jumping. His feet were on the ground so his arm should hsve been lower to his hip. I tend to agree with you now after looking at the replay a few times.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=9kr_SpswANY

My dad was a ref for over 30yrs in the Pembrokeshire league. He mainly reffed Div 1 top gains and the cup finals. He was well respected. If he got any complaints from the players he'd wait until they messed up and say "and you think Im rubbish..!" What level do you ref?

I think players "buying" free kicks is modern scourge of the game. A player 40yds out barrels forwards bouncing off players and then goes sprawling over the second he's breathed on once he's reached the box. Suddenly running like a splayed out tripod trying to tangle their legs with an opponent. My pet peeve is attackers no longer try to block clearances. They instead try to get their foot between the ball and the defender's swinging leg so they are "kicked". It baffles me why refs (or VAR) can't tell when a player is not attempting to play the ball but is attempting to instigate some sort of contact by running "unnaturally" or by throwing a body-part in front of a sprinting player or a flying boot.
Against this back drop of conniving players it's best not to dwell on decisions or beat up on refs doing a hapless task

[SheepRanger]

I think players "buying" free kicks is modern scourge of the game. A player 40yds out barrels forwards bouncing off players and then goes sprawling over the second he's breathed on once he's reached the box. Suddenly running like a splayed out tripod trying to tangle their legs with an opponent. My pet peeve is attackers no longer try to block clearances. They instead try to get their foot between the ball and the defender's swinging leg so they are "kicked". It baffles me why refs (or VAR) can't tell when a player is not attempting to play the ball but is attempting to instigate some sort of contact by running "unnaturally" or by throwing a body-part in front of a sprinting player or a flying boot.
Against this back drop of conniving players it's best not to dwell on decisions or beat up on refs doing a hapless task

Armstrong has tried to buy at least two pens during his late cameos. Bursts into the box, pushes ball forward, checks his run, defender goes into the back of him and he goes down. But normally his touch is so poor the ball is virtually out of play before he starts his fall...!

The Spurs manager was recently asked if they could help with ref decission making. He was quite clear that whatever the rules the coaching team would be working ways around them.

But its easier for championship refs to make decisions but much harder in the premiership with big teams and cameras in every position. Seem so many weak pens been given to Fergy's Manure because they were scared of him. They dont get that rub as much these days!

My pet hate is an attacker rolling the defender on a turn snd hitting the deck to get a free kick. Up steps the specialist and its a goal. We were home to Arsenal in League Cup and number of years back and we matched them all the way until that very thing happened. I dont understand why refs cant see it for what it is.

Respect to my Dad for taking up the whistle for 30 yrs. Apparently now hes retired players tell him what a good ref he was. They werent saying that at the time...!! But Im guilty of having a go at refs even at the very avarage standard I played at.....young and daft and thinking we were much better than we actually were!!