Former Premier League referee Chris Foy examines decisions from the latest Sky Bet Championship, League One and League Two action; Millwall 0-2 Sheff Wed; Preston 2-2 Blackburn; Derby 1-0 Stevenage; Fleetwood 1-2 Barnsley; Colchester 1-1 Accrington; Walsall 2-1 Mansfield all analysed
Behind the Whistle seeks to clarify some calls and provide EFL club supporters with an understanding of the factors that go into making decisions, as well as how the game’s rules are applied.
Foy walks you through some EFL refereeing issues as part of a regular series on Sky Sports after a matchday ends.
Incident: Sheffield Wednesday: Potentially a second yellow card
Decision: Sheffield Wednesday received a second yellow card. Foy states: “The referee had no doubts about giving Sheffield Wednesday midfielder Ashley Fletcher a second yellow card for this incident because he was previously shown one moments earlier for kicking the ball away.
“Without attempting to play the ball, the Sheffield Wednesday No. 27 intentionally trips the Millwall player from behind as he takes a touch past him. This obviously denies Millwall a good offensive opportunity.
“In my opinion, the player from Sheffield Wednesday should have received a second yellow card since he stopped the play in progress with a really callous trip. There isn’t much the referee can do but give the player a second yellow card and send them off.”
Preston North End 2-2 Blackburn Rovers
Event: Preston North End foul; potential penalty
Conclusion: Preston North End received no penalty.
“This phase of play highlights two positive bits of officiating,” Foy states. “A good offside call is the first.”
“At first, it appears like the Preston North End No. 7 may have been offside when the ball is played through to him, but the assistant referee skillfully called a perfectly timed run in which Blackburn’s No. 5 plays him onside.
“The referee puts a lot of effort into positioning himself to see the penalty appeal as the play moves into the penalty area. The referee’s positioning enables him to observe that Blackburn’s No. 6 competes for the ball and that any contact with the attacker is slight, falling short of the high standard for penalising contact. The ball falls to the Preston No. 23 in the penalty area.
“Both the referee and his assistant did well here to let play develop and ultimately make two correct decisions.”
Sky Bet League One
Derby County 1-0 Stevenage
Incident: Possible penalty – handball (Stevenage)
Decision: No penalty awarded (Stevenage)
Foy says: “As the corner comes in, both the Derby goalkeeper and No 35 jump for the ball, and the contact comes via the defender’s arm.
“The close-up replay shows that the left arm of the defender is clearly moved and raised in an unnatural position which results in contact with the ball, and a penalty kick should have been given.
“The difficulty for the referee here is that several players, including the goalkeeper, are competing for the ball; however working to the high standards required of match officials, I think this is an offence that should be spotted.”\
Fleetwood Town 1-2 Barnsley
Incident: Possible penalty – foul (Fleetwood Town)
Decision: No penalty awarded (Fleetwood Town)
Foy says: “Despite the referee making a dynamic movement across the front of the penalty area in an attempt to create an angle for himself to see any potential contact, I think the referee and his assistant misread this challenge.
“In my opinion, the Fleetwood defender inherits the risk of committing to a sliding challenge and when he does not play the ball and makes contact with Barnsley No 44 the best outcome is a penalty.
“With the assistant referee so close to the action too, the officials between them should have concluded that a Fleetwood penalty was the best course of action.”
Sky Bet League Two
Colchester United 1-1 Accrington Stanley
Incident: Possible red card – violent conduct (Accrington Stanley)
Decision: Red card given – violent conduct (Accrington Stanley)
Foy says: “As soon as the Accrington player makes a clear action with his arm to strike the opponent in the head with his elbow, the referee is correct to issue a straight red card for violent conduct.
“At the point of contact, the ball had already gone out of play and the Accrington player appeared focused on the Colchester player running towards him. What follows is a non-footballing action that meets the threshold for violent conduct, and the referee correctly shows a red card.”
Walsall 2-1 Mansfield Town
Incident: Possible red card for serious foul play (Mansfield Town)
Decision: Yellow card given – reckless challenge (Mansfield Town)
Foy says: “This judgement requires the referee to consider a number of factors in arriving at the most appropriate disciplinary outcome, yellow card or red card. The referee shows good composure before showing a yellow card.
“As the ball is bouncing Mansfield’s No 8 commits to the challenge, and whilst the contact is high and makes contact with the Walsall No 14 just below the knee. The challenge itself lacks the speed and intensity to generate the excessive force that would result in a red card.
“The referee does not rush into a decision and remains calm with the players before showing the yellow car.
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