Refereeing

Subterms

    More stories

    • 213 Shares109 Views

      in Soccer

      FA refs chiefs break silence on Mike Dean row after ex-official revealed reason for ‘pathetic’ VAR decision

      by

      REFEREES bosses have broken their silence after Mike Dean admitted he made a “pathetic” mistake while on VAR duties last season.The former ref revealed that he did not correct an on-pitch decision during the heated clash between Chelsea and Tottenham at Stamford Bridge.
      PGMOL have responded to claims made by Mike Dean about VARCredit: AFP
      Dean admitted to not sending Anthony Taylor to review an incident between Cristian Romero and Marc Cucurella last seasonCredit: Reuters
      Dean did not get Anthony Taylor to review an incident between Cristian Romero and Marc Cucurella.
      Romero was spotted pulling the Blues ace’s long-hair during a corner which should have led to a penalty.
      However, Dean did not want to cause Taylor any more “grief” and did not call him to review the moment on the monitor.
      The game would then end in a draw thanks to Harry Kane netting a goal moments after the incident.
      READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWS
      And now PGMOL – the Professional Game Match Officials Ltd – have issued a statement on Dean’s comments insisting that “strongly refute” Dean’s claim that VARs do not intervene.
      A PGMOL spokesperson said: “VARs undergo extensive training with the focus centered entirely around effectively working with the on-field team of officials to rectify clear and obvious errors.
      “When VARs identify a clear and obvious error by the on-field team and match officials, they should intervene and recommend a review by the referee.
      “We strongly refute any suggestions that VARs do not intervene, for whatever reason, when they have identified a clear and obvious error.”
      Most read in Football
      CASINO SPECIAL – BEST ONLINE CASINOS FOR 2023
      Dean has been a referee in the Premier League for more than two decades before switching to be a VAR full-time.
      He admitted that the incident between Romero and Cucurella should have been reviewed.
      During his revelation, he called the hair pull by Romero “pathetic” and admitted that if he could relive the moment he would have sent Taylor to the monitor. More

    • 250 Shares179 Views

      in Soccer

      Mike Dean reveals ‘pathetic’ reason he refused to send Anthony Taylor to check VAR as he admits ‘really bad call’

      by

      FORMER Premier League VAR Mike Dean has admitted he did not send Anthony Taylor to the monitor when Cristian Romero pulled Marc Cucurella’s hair because the official is his “mate”.Dean, 55, retired from all forms of officiating at the end of last season.
      Mike Dean has admitted to a major error while working as a VARCredit: Getty
      Dean admits he should have sent Anthony Taylor, above, to the monitorCredit: Getty
      But at the start of his final campaign, he was involved in a controversial decision while working as the VAR for Spurs’ trip to Chelsea.
      Tottenham salvaged a 2-2 draw thanks to a dramatic stoppage-time header from Harry Kane.
      Moments before the equaliser, Spurs defender Romero pulled the hair of Chelsea’s Cucurella and should have been sent off.
      However, ref Taylor did not spot an infringement and failed to even book the Argentine.
      READ MORE IN FOOTBALL
      Dean came in for criticism because he did not urge Taylor to have a look at the incident on the pitchside monitor.
      Now he has revealed why he made that call.
      Speaking on Up Front with Simon Jordan, he said: “I missed the stupid hair pull at Chelsea versus Tottenham which was pathetic from my point of view.
      “It’s one of them where if I had my time again, what would I do? I’d send Anthony [Taylor] to the screen.
      Most read in Football
      BETTING SPECIAL – BEST SPORTS BETTING APPS IN THE UK
      Cristiano Romero got away with yanking Marc Cucurella’s hairCredit: Reuters
      “I think I knew if I did send him to the screen… he’s cautioned both managers, he’s had a hell of a game, it’s been such a tough game end to end.
      “I said to Anthony afterwards: ‘I just didn’t want to send you to the screen after what has gone on in the game’.
      “I didn’t want to send him up because he is a mate as well as a referee and I think I didn’t want to send him up because I didn’t want any more grief than he already had.
      “Anthony, he is big and bald and ugly enough to know if he is going to the screen he is going to the screen for a reason. If someone pulls their hair now it’s dead easy. It’s just a brainwave by me, a really bad call by me, and it kind of affected me as VAR going forward.”
      Dean was a Premier League referee for 22 years, before he spent one season in the VAR room.
      From the start of the 2023/24 campaign, he has been Sky Sports’ referee analyst on Soccer Saturday. More

    • 225 Shares159 Views

      in Soccer

      Fans rage VAR ‘inconsistency is insane’ as Pickford concedes pen for ‘taking Watkins’ head off’ but Onana didn’t

      by

      FANS fumed “the inconsistency is insane” after Aston Villa were awarded a penalty this afternoon.With Everton already 1-0 down via John McGinn’s 18th minute effort, goalkeeper Jordan Pickford took out Ollie Watkins in the box.
      Ollie Watkins was taken out by Jordan PickfordCredit: Alamy
      Andre Onana got away with this challenge last weekCredit: Rex
      Referee Anthony Taylor wasted no time in pointing to the penalty spot.
      Douglas Luiz calmly converted from 12 yards, with Leon Bailey and Jhon Duran going on to complete the 4-0 rout.
      While few people disputed Villa’s penalty award, many raged at perceived inconsistencies following the decision not to award Wolves a spot kick against Manchester United last week.
      Gary O’Neil’s side felt extremely hard done by when nothing was given, despite Sasa Kalajdzic being taken out by Andre Onana.
      Read More Football Stories
      The Wolves boss fumed after the match: “I’ve spoken to Jon Moss and fair play to him, he apologised, said it was a blatant penalty and that it should have been given.
      “It probably made me feel worse.
      “When you know you were right about something it makes you feel worse about leaving a game with nothing.”
      Fans pointed back to the Onana-Kalajdzic incident after Villa’s penalty award.
      Most read in Football
      CASINO SPECIAL – BEST ONLINE CASINOS FOR 2023
      One wrote: “The inconsistency in this league is insane…
      “Onana did the same thing last week against wolves and that didn’t given but the Pickford one now does.
      “Just be consistent lol.”
      A second fumed: “Still some huge inconsistencies with VAR. You’d expect this sort of technology to be the solution, not the problem.”
      And a third claimed: “It’s been given because of last week.”
      Another added: “Both are penalties. All we need is consistency from those concerned.”
      Anthony Taylor penalised PickfordCredit: Alamy More

    • 113 Shares129 Views

      in Soccer

      Who is Women’s World Cup final referee Tori Penso?

      by

      WOMEN’S WORLD CUP referee Tori Penso is one of the leading officials in the game.And she has been charged with being the woman in the middle for England’s Women’s World Cup final clash against Spain.
      Tori Penso became the first woman to referee an MLS match in over 20 yearsCredit: Getty

      Spain vs England LIVE – Latest updates from Women’s World Cup final
      From her career on the pitch to her family life – here’s everything you need to know.
      Who is Tori Penso?
      Tori Penso is American football referee from Florida.
      In 2020, she became the first woman to referee an MLS match in over 20 years.
      Penso began her refereeing career at the age of 14 – where she started reffing both boys’ and girls’ games.
      Read More in Sport
      Not only was this a way of income for the then teenager, it also opened the door to a great opportunity – earning her an invitation to a refereeing camp run by the Olympic Development Program in Texas.
      At the time, Penso was playing football while also studying for a university degree in marketing – and she did not yet view refereeing as a potential job.
      She told FIFA.com: ”There were no full-time female referees in the States, and so I didn’t really see it as a career.
      ”I did understand, though, that it was more than just a temporary job for me, and that maybe it would enable me to get to know my country a bit better, and maybe even the world.”
      Most read in Football
      Penso later made the decision to give up her job at an advertising agency in favour for refereeing.
      In 2021, she made history once again – becoming the first woman to referee a FIFA World Cup qualifying match.
      A year later, in 2022, Penso took charge of five FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup matches in Costa Rica, including one of the semi-finals.
      How long has Tori Penso been a referee?
      As mentioned above Penso was introduced to world of refereeing during her youth.
      In 2021, Penso, a leading offical in the game, became a FIFA-rated referee.
      As of August 2023, the trailblazing referee has taken charge of four matches at the FIFA Women’s World Cup.
      She was chosen to officiate the highly-anticipated England vs Australia semi-final on August 16, 2023.
      Is Tori Penso married and does she have any children?
      Tori Penso is married to fellow referee Chris Penso.
      The couple share three daughters. More

    • 225 Shares149 Views

      in Soccer

      Portsmouth clash bizarrely SUSPENDED as ref walks down tunnel with the ball before FAN ‘takes over as linesman’

      by

      PORTSMOUTH’S clash with Cheltenham was bizarrely delayed as the officials appealed for any qualified refs in the crowd to take over as linesman.The unusual incident occurred just 12 minutes into the second half, when referee Ben Toner grabbed the ball and left the field of play.
      Portsmouth’s clash with Cheltenham was bizarrely delayedCredit: Rex
      At the time, Pompey tweeted: “As if this afternoon couldn’t get anymore bizarre…
      “The referee has taken the ball and disappeared down the tunnel – we’ll keep you updated.”
      Two minutes later, they added: “A message has just gone out over the PA system for a qualified official to make themselves known…
      “And a fan from the stands has just emerged to take over duties, so we should be fine!”
      The original officiating team at the match consisted of Ben Toner as referee, Daniel Flynn and Mark Derrien as his assistants and Stephen Brown as the fourth official.
      One of the linesmen was forced off injured during the first half of the match, with Brown taking over.
      Disaster then struck early on in the second period, when the other linesman also picked up an injury.
      At this point the referee led both teams back down the tunnel, with the Fratton Park PA system appealing for any qualified referees to emerge from the crowd.
      Most read in Football
      BETTING SPECIAL – BEST NO DEPOSIT CASINO OFFERS
      Around ten minutes after the initial incident it was confirmed that play would resume in a further five.
      The match eventually got back underway in the 55th minute, with a supporter running the line.
      Pompey and Cheltenham were level at 0-0 when the suspension occurred.
      As the replacement assistant ref raised his flag for a throw-in for the first time, he received a loud cheer from the crowd.
      The officials eventually reverted to the original match clock, meaning they entered 21 minutes of stoppage time at the end of the initial 90. More

    • 200 Shares139 Views

      in Soccer

      Premier League ball-in-play figures revealed after major rule change was introduced to crack down on time-wasting

      by

      PREMIER LEAGUE games have seen an increase in the amount of ball-in-play time following new rules designed to crack down on timewasting.Ifab have introduced rules which has seen officials add on extra time for goal celebrations, substitutions, injuries, penalties and red cards.
      New rules have seen an increase in added time in the Premier League and EFL this seasonCredit: Rex
      The Premier League has seen the amount of ball in play time increase by almost four minutes
      This has had a significant effect on matches across the EFL and in the top tier, with few games lasting less than 100 minutes as a result of the changes.
      It has also increased the amount of time the ball is in play, with an average rise of almost four minutes so far this season.
      That is a big improvement, particularly as matches have only lasted, on average, three minutes longer than they did last season.
      Last season saw the most average game time [98.27] but the least average ball-in-play time [54.52] of any Prem season in the last 10 years.
      READ MORE IN FOOTBALL
      Now ball-in-play time is at an average of 58.42 and is likely to improve further as fewer players attempt to waste time – as they know it will be added on at the end of the match.
      There has also been an improvement in ball-in-play time in all three EFL divisions, with League Two seeing the highest increase at eight minutes.
      However it remains the division with the least amount of ball-in-play time, though is now only half a minute behind League One, with 56.04 minutes of ball time compared to 56.56.
      New disciplinary rules have also been introduced to clamp down on “unacceptable conduct on the pitch, on the sidelines and in the stands”.
      Most read in Football
      There has also been a clamp down on player and manager disciplineCredit: Getty
      CASINO SPECIAL – BEST ONLINE CASINOS FOR 2023
      The Premier League and EFL are keen to give match officials greater protection – to prevent managers and players trying to intimidate and influence decisions.
      Under the new regulations, all club technical staff, including managers and assistants, must sign up to a “code of conduct” – which has been approved by the League Managers Association.
      The rules have already seen players in the Championship and League One sent off for dissent.
      While Bolton boss Ian Evatt and Leyton Orient gaffer Richie Wellens were also red-carded in mid-week after confronting the referee. More

    • 238 Shares169 Views

      in Soccer

      Gary Lineker reveals how referee brought him crashing back to earth after scoring El Clasico hat-trick with cruel move

      by

      GARY LINEKER has revealed the cruel move by a referee that ruined his moment after an El Clasico hat-trick.The 62-year-old was reminiscing about his days with Barcelona where he spent three years of his illustrious career.

      Gary Lineker was brought back down to earth by a Spanish referee following his El Clasico hat-trickCredit: Getty
      Lineker spent three years playing in Spain for Barcelona after making the switch from EvertonCredit: Getty
      The former England star told the story of his hat-trick for Barcelona against Real Madrid in 1987.
      Lineker looked back on chipping Madrid goalkeeper Paco Buyo to net his third goal after scoring two in the opening five minutes.
      Speaking to GOAL he said: “It was the first one [El Clasico] I’d played at the Nou Camp and I scored two goals in the first five minutes – both from very close range.
      “And I had goose bumps. The noise was incredible, in front of 120,000 fans.
      READ MORE ON FOOTBALL
      “It was about five minutes into the second half and I was one-on-one withy the goalkeeper who I believe was [Paco] Buyo. I’ve dinked it over him and when I saw it going in it was just magical.”
      But despite the euphoria that Lineker must have been feeling in that moment, he was denied a longstanding English tradition by the referee.
      After bagging his hat-trick he was expecting to take the match ball home with him.
      But when he asked the referee for the ball, he had no clue what Lineker was talking about and refused to hand it over.
      Most read in Football
      BETTING SPECIAL – BEST NO DEPOSIT CASINO OFFERS
      The former Leicester and Spurs striker said: “The referee had the ball in his hands.
      “I went up to him and asked him for the ball, but he was going ‘Que? Porque? No.’
      “I went ‘I’ve scored three goals’ and he just didn’t get it. It wasn’t a thing in Spain back then and so I never got it [the ball].”
      Barcelona ended up 3-2 winners in the game and Lineker was still able to celebrate the three points regardless of missing out on the match ball.
      The Match of the Day host ended up playing 138 times for the Catalan club, scoring 51 goals before moving to Tottenham in 1989. More

    • 250 Shares179 Views

      in Soccer

      Fans joke Todd Boelhy has ‘signed Anthony Taylor too’ as Chelsea somehow get away with ‘handball’ in box vs Liverpool

      by

      FOOTBALL fans joked Todd Boehly wild spending spree has now extended to referees as Chelsea escaped a huge handball claim in their penalty area. Liverpool were adamant they should have had a spot kick early in the second half at Stamford Bridge.
      Anthony Taylor was in charge of Chelsea’s clash with LiverpoolCredit: Reuters
      Nicolas Jackson deflected the ball to safety with his handCredit: Sky Sports
      Nicolas Jackson deflected a corner back out of play with his hand – although his arm was tucked into his body.
      The new striker claimed it had come off his chest but replays showed he clearly used his hand, albeit probably accidentally.
      But ref Anthony Taylor opted against awarding a penalty.
      And the VAR Darren England agreed after watching the incident back, refusing to send the man in the middle to the pitchside monitor as play resumed.
      READ MORE CHELSEA NEWS
      That prompted an outpouring of similar comments on Twitter suggesting the official was the latest big-money transfer arrival for Boehly’s Chelsea.
      One said: “Did Boehly sign Taylor?”
      Another joked: “Crazy to think that Boehly and Eghbali talked Anthony Taylor into an eight-year contract.”
      And a final user referenced the long-held bitterness Chelsea supporters hold towards Taylor by adding: “We’ve finally bought Anthony Taylor to our side.”
      Most read in Football
      BETTING SPECIAL – BEST NO DEPOSIT CASINO OFFERS
      To make matters worse for Liverpool, Taylor inadvertently got in the way of Dominik Szoboszlai as the Hungarian tried to launch a counter attack.
      However, he did not have to stop the game or perform a drop ball because the referee managed to avoid making contact with the ball.
      One viewer quipped: “Boehly should consider Anthony Taylor as his new DM the way he just blocked off Szoboszlai,” referencing Chelsea’s ongoing pursuit of Moises Caicedo to bolster Mauricio Pochettino’s midfield.
      Another typed: “Anthony Taylor doing a boss job as a DM for Chelsea there.”
      A third wrote: “This is genuinely a hall of fame horror show from Anthony Taylor.”
      And one fan commented: “Anthony Taylor has been Chelsea’s best player.”
      It was a busy day for VAR England who had to chalk off goals for both Mo Salah and Ben Chilwell in the first half.
      Luis Diaz had put Liverpool in front on 18 minutes, sliding in at the back post, before Blues debutant Axel Disasi bundled in an equaliser before the break.
      And it ended 1-1 in Poch’s first competitive game in charge of Chelsea.
      Credit: Twitter
      Todd Boehly was in the stands for the 1-1 draw at Stamford BridgeCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun More