RateTheRef

Here is the full sequence:
https://streambug.org/cv/7113dc

A mistake by Jones and VAR Paul Tierney, this is a clear example of SFP.

Disallowed Liverpool goal is 100% correct and fully in accordance with the current interpretation of Law11. Caicedo's nasty foul was SFP imo but not surprised with any non-intervention there. He should have cottened on to Chelsea's early spoiling tactics a bit quicker but Caicedo aside, I'm struggling to see any CLEAR cards missed by Kavanagh.

Not perfect, but I thought Chris Kavanagh's performance was generally okay, especially taking into account the unwritten 'don't make yourself the centre of attention in a final' rule (ie. not immediately showing early YCs to (Chelsea) players).

Darren Fletcher

Fletcher is appalling (imo) and, at least personally, ruined my enjoyment of the game more than Gozubuyuk's a-bit-insecure-but-not-that-bad performance.

Quote from: Mikael W on Tue 20 Feb 2024 11:19

Thank you for the comments on here about this match! Really really interesting read.

It does seem to be PGMOL's internal view that Smith was good in this match - another PGMOL 'insider pretending to be an outsider' like Gallagher, Chris Foy, also wrote on twitter explicitly of a "terrific refereeing performance on debut".

Circling the wagons or the genuine internal assessment?

If only we can see the observer report! That’s one document I’d love to have a gander at!

Completely agree of course, but aren't we into the (totally inane) system of the 'match delegate' reports and then evaluator x writes up a score based on assessing every single decision in isolation?...

I watched the full match just now actually - Smith's performance wasn't a disaster imo and I was expecting more of a match control loss at the end than what happened (he was mobbed twice quite badly in the last 20min and the two additional time YCs were rather exaggerated and unnecessary). However, his performance was far from that of showing outstanding talent either. To put a positive spin on his style, one would say Smith gave a quiet, yet diligent/concentrated impression as a referee - but he seemed rather overcome by the occasion and always a 'passenger' to the match, never really in control of events. "Too early for him" would be a fair resume.

My development advice for him would actually be to watch the games of the VAR for this match, John Brooks. It is hard having been promoted a new league (let alone the biggest in the world!), and it takes him to build a rapport with players, be more relaxed in games, etc. Brooks not only in his decisions, but also in his manner and how he carries himself on the pitch, is able to assure match control even in tough matches. Lewis Smith would benefit from trying to build that element into his own refereeing, as he presented a fairly 'shy' exterior in this encounter.

I would also back up Smith, and Brooks, in the two penalty area incidents. In the first, De Cordova-Reid waits for Torres to come behind him and 'generates' the collision. In the second, Watkins does draw a careless-type contact from the defender, but only having deliberately pushed the ball too far and out of his 'spell' anyway. However, I would say that probably 'football expects' a penalty in both incidents, especially the second.

Clips below.

Fulham appeal - https://streambug.org/cv/e64972
Villa appeal - https://www.streambug.io/cv/6a8ab9

What is the purpose of this law in the modern game?

It was implemented about 20 years ago as shirt sponsors complained to them that they wanted their logos visible during goals (celebrations). Some associations inquired to FIFA that they didn't want to apply this ruling in their domestic competitions, and this^ is the reply they got from the governing body.

The first WC/EURO this was applied: EURO 2004.

At WC2002 and before, removing your shirt in celebration was not a cautionable offence.

Re. Fredriksson - it was probably about time around WC1990 for the age limit to be reduced from 50 to 45, but his overall performance on the game in question was very very good in the opinion of the FIFA assessor at the time (and I'd agree!), but he had the misfortune to miss Diego's Hand of God II and should have awarded a penalty to the Soviets.

FIFA blamed this on Fredriksson's age, but the actual explanation is much less nuanced - he had positioned himself behind the goal for the corner, and had (like Darren England the other day actually) a poor angle into the situation. Stood where referees stand nowadays, Fredriksson would obviously have given the penalty and may well have gone on to referee the final itself.

Age was not a factor in the mistake, and if anything, the Swede showed his experience and class in the rest of the match!

Appreciate you are entitled to your opinion and this kind of incident is subjective, but which box does it tick for SFP?

There are two kinds of SFPs:

1) the classic 'leg-breaker' with a dangerous studs contact

2) 'tackle as an attack' where someone flies into an opponent with no intent to actually play the ball, using excessive force

This was the latter.