Former Premier League referee Chris Foy examines decisions from Championship games between Bristol City and Rotherham, Swansea's 3-0 demolishing of Norwich and a 1-1 draw between Preston and Blackburn...
Tuesday 25 April 2023 13:58, UK
In Behind the Whistle, former Premier League referee Chris Foy goes through a selection of key match decisions from the latest Sky Bet Championship, League One and League Two action.
Although many decisions made on the pitch are of a subjective nature, 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, starting with the below.
Bristol City 2-1 Rotherham United
Incident: Potential penalty (Rotherham United)
Decision: Penalty awarded (Rotherham United)
I think that allowing play to continue in this situation, rather than awarding a penalty is the best decision. There is no doubt that the attacking player gets in front of the Bristol City defender, however the defender does not make a challenge and is clearly looking to avoid contact.
There is no clear holding or pushing action by the defender and the contact is mainly attributable to the attacker's actions. I don't believe that any contact made by the defending player meets the threshold for a foul to be given.
Incident: Potential red card - DOGSO (Norwich City)
Decision: Red card awarded - DOGSO (Norwich City)
Similar to a number of decisions featured in previous weeks, I think the referee is left with little option but to give a red card for the denial of an obvious goalscoring opportunity.
The attacker is in behind the Norwich City defender and has an obvious goalscoring opportunity when clear unfair contact is made by the defender. The referee's work rate to present himself with the best possible angle of this challenge should also be applauded in making the correct call.
Preston North End 1-1 Blackburn Rovers
Incident: Potential goal scored (Blackburn)
Decision: Goal not given - handball (Blackburn)
This is a really good decision at what was a key moment in this fixture with the scores level.
The replays show that the Blackburn attacker has deliberately handled the ball, guiding it into the net, however it's not as obvious in real-time which emphasises this being a very good spot. Following good communication between the refereeing team to identify the incident, they have correctly disallowed the goal and shown the attacker a yellow card. A yellow card is mandatory when an attacking player 'scores' a goal with a deliberate handball.
Derby County 1-0 Burton Albion
Incident: Potential penalty (Derby County)
Decision: Penalty awarded (Derby County)
In these situations, once the defender has a loose touch inside the area, they will always be at risk of giving away a penalty if they commit to a challenge which doesn't win the ball.
That is exactly what happened on this occasion. The Derby County forward has just arrived before the defender and the contact by the defender has clear consequence of tripping the attacker, so a penalty is the correct decision.
Plymouth Argyle 3-1 Cambridge United
Incident: Potential red card - DOGSO (Plymouth Argyle)
Decision: No foul awarded (Plymouth Argyle)
This is a marginal decision which centres on whether the goalkeeper has handled the ball outside of his penalty area. If the judgement is yes, then this would result in a red card for a denial of an obvious goalscoring opportunity (DOGSO).
We have the benefit of replays and yet it remains an extremely close call - with the goalkeeper charging out to challenge the attacker. Given the lack of clear evidence a handball has taken place outside the area, it's a call where I would agree with the on-field decision, with play on the best outcome.
Northampton Town 3-1 Harrogate Town
Incident: Goal scored - potential offside (Northampton)
Decision: Goal awarded (Northampton)
This is a more difficult offside call for the assistant referee given the defender's intention to step out and play the Northampton Town forward offside.
I think watching the footage back, the defender steps out slightly too late, with his trailing leg still close to the edge of the area at the time of the pass, which the assistant referee reads perfectly and keeps the flag down.
It's a decision I think the assistant referee has called correctly.
