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Old 02-28-2023, 07:18 AM   #757
flere-imsaho
Coordinator
 
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Chicagoland
In top flight Rugby, you can hear the entire conversation between the referee and the equivalent of VAR (usually another ref in the stadium who has access to the video feed and can play it back from whatever angles are available). Once the match referee gets what he needs from the other, and confirms the sanctions, he then pulls the captains in and explains in detail (like Ed Hochuli back in the day) what's being assessed and why. It's unbelievably clear. There's no reason why soccer can't do this and it's immensely frustrating.

Also, with all respect to Dale Johnson, multiple calls here are wrong.

Havertz's attempted trip is indeed a direct free kick offense, but is only a yellow if a) he had been persistently fouling or b) it stops a promising attack, or c) he committed it in a reckless manner. I can't speak to a, but b and c are not true.

Ziyech's foul, on the other hand, was absolutely reckless, and an easy yellow card, regardless of whether or not he "got the ball". "Getting the ball" has never, ever, been codified in the rules as nullifying an offense, and it's used by commentators to excuse all sorts of reckless gameplay and fouls.

Royal then commits a direct free kick offense (both charges and pushes) on Ziyech, arguably in a reckless manner, so that should be a yellow as well.

Ziyech retaliates with a hand that while yes, it hits the shoulder first, clearly continues with force to the face. That's violent conduct, and it's a red.

Royal then feigns injury, which is an attempt to deceive the referee, known as "unsporting behavior" and is another yellow card.


Speaking as a youth soccer referee, the fact that all of this behavior is routinely let go at professional levels means my job is that much harder. Officiate to the rules, and you get yelled at by the coaches and parents. Don't officiate to the rules, and kids get hurt and games turn into melees.
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