Behind the Whistle: Former Premier League referee Chris Foy explains the latest EFL decisions
Former Premier League referee Chris Foy examines decisions from the Sky Bet Championship, League One and League Two; analysis from Millwall's win at Luton and Sheffield Wednesday's victory at QPR
Tuesday 28 January 2025 17:05, UK
In Behind the Whistle, former Premier League referee Chris Foy goes through a selection of key match decisions from the weekend EFL action.
Behind the Whistle aims to give supporters of EFL clubs an insight into the decision-making considerations and also clarification of certain calls to provide an understanding of how the laws of the game are interpreted.
As part of a regular feature on Sky Sports following the conclusion of a matchday, Foy will be here to run you through some refereeing matters in the EFL…
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Sky Bet Championship
Luton 0-1 Millwall
Incident: Possible Millwall penalty
Decision: No penalty, no foul
Foy says: "This is an excellent decision by the referee here, as he correctly identifies that there is no foul on the Millwall player inside the penalty area.
"The reverse angle indicates just how good a judgement this is, as it shows that Luton's McGuinness gets a clear touch and plays the ball ahead of his opponent.
"With a crowded box, the referee does well to position himself so he has a good view of the action and is able to make the correct decision to continue play."
QPR 0-2 Sheffield Wednesday
Incident: Possible Sheff Wed indirect free-kick
Decision: Indirect free-kick awarded for mistaken identity
Foy says: "We don't see this type of incident very often but it's interesting from an educational perspective.
"The free kick is taken by Paal, and the ball strikes the crossbar and comes back into the path of Chair who then shoots wide.
The law states that "if, after the ball is in play, the kicker touches the ball again before it has touched another player, even if it comes off the crossbar or goalpost, an indirect free-kick is awarded".
The referee awards an indirect free-kick here, which is clearly incorrect as the ball came back to Chair rather than the original taker, Paal. He should therefore have awarded a goal kick."
Sky Bet League One
Exeter 1-3 Blackpool
Incident: Possible Exeter penalty
Decision: No penalty, no foul
Foy says: "The decision to allow play to continue and deem that no foul has been committed is a good one in my view, as for me the Exeter attacker instigates and exaggerates the contact inside the penalty area.
"Firstly, the referee shows great work-rate in a quickly-developing phase of play to get into position and give himself the best chance possible of identifying whether or not there is a foul.
"As Exeter City's Yogane gets into the area, he moves his foot across the path of Blackpool's Offiah, forcing both players to the floor. The referee does very well to spot this and allows play to continue."
Wigan 2-0 Bristol Rovers
Incident: Possible Wigan penalty
Decision: No penalty, simulation
Foy says: "The referee shows excellent composure here to correctly identify that Wigan's Hungbo is not tripped inside the penalty area and instead instigated the contact.
"With this type of incident, it is vital that the referee isn't deceived by the actions of the attacker. As the referee identifies that this is indeed simulation, he correctly shows a yellow card to the attacker and awards Bristol Rovers an indirect free-kick."
Sky Bet League Two
Chesterfield 1-1 Port Vale
Incident: Possible red card, serious foul play
Decision: Red card awarded
Foy says: "Although this is not the most difficult of red-card decisions that the referee will have to make, it shows decisive officiating to reach the correct decision.
"Port Vale's Clark makes an action in which he raises his foot, resulting in high, full and forceful contact, endangering the safety of the opponent. The referee correctly shows the red card for serious foul play."
