by In Behind the Whistle, former Premier League referee Chris Foy analyzes a selection of key match decisions from recent Sky Bet Championship, League One and League Two competitions.
While many decisions made on the pitch are subjective, “Behind the Whistle” is intended to give supporters of EFL clubs an insight into the decision making considerations, as well as clarifying some of the calls to ensure understanding of the interpretation of the Laws of the Game.
As part of Sky Sports’ regular post-match day programme, Foy will be here to walk you through some of the EFL refereeing issues, starting with the following.
Birmingham City 0-1 Luton Town
Incident: Potential red card (City of Birmingham)
Decision: Yellow card awarded (City of Birmingham)
Foy says: “I believe this tackle should have resulted in a red card for the Birmingham City defender as he clearly endangered the safety of the opponent.
“While there is light contact with the ball, the challenge results in high, full and powerful contact with the opponent. Had these considerations been recognized in real time, the referee would have shown a red card for a serious foul.”
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Should this tackle have resulted in a red card for the Birmingham City defender?
Preston North End 2-1 Wigan Athletic
Incident: Potential red card – second warning (North End in Preston)
Decision: Second warning granted (North End in Preston)
Foy says: “I don’t think there are too many complaints about this game. Striker Preston, eager to get the ball back late in the game, missed the ball and made clear contact with the Wigan Athletic player. Contact is reckless. The threshold for a second yellow card was therefore met in this incident.
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Preston’s Robbie Brady received a second yellow card in a home win over Wigan.
Exeter City 2-0 Cambridge United
Incident: Potential target (City of Exeter)
Decision: Goal disallowed – foul (City of Exeter)
Foy says: “I think it’s a good decision by the referee. Although he has no intention of challenging the attacker, his actions are careless and clearly affect the defender’s ability to play the ball, which then leads to a goal. He scored.”
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Exeter conceded a goal in a 2-0 home win over Cambridge.
Crewe Alexandra 1-1 Rochdale
Incident: Potential red card for DOGSO (Alexander’s Crewe)
Decision: Yellow card awarded (Alexander’s Crewe)
Foy says: “In circumstances like this, the referee has to decide if it’s a denial of an obvious goal-scoring opportunity (DOGSO). The defender in the center position is tracking the foul, so the umpire has to consider if they are too far from the playing area to influence the decision?
“I think in this case I would agree with the referee because all in all a yellow card is the best result because there is no obvious goal-scoring opportunity.”
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Crewe manages to avoid a red card for potentially refusing to score against Rochdale.
Hartlepool United 3-3 Walsall
Incident: Potential penalty (Hartlepool)
Decision: Penalty awarded (Hartlepool)
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Hartlepool got a penalty at home to Walsall – should it have been kept?
Foy says: “It was the first of two penalties that were awarded in the match. Looking back, I certainly wouldn’t place the award of this penalty in the “clear and obvious” error category – there is evidence of a striker’s pull, however I’m not sure it’s persistent and consistent enough to justify imposing a penalty.
“Is this clearly the wrong decision? That’s subjective, but I think letting the game continue would be a better choice.”
