Behind the whistle, former Premier League referee Chris Foy goes through a selection of key match decisions from recent action in the Sky Bet Championship, League One and League Two.
Behind the Whistle aims to give supporters of EFL clubs an insight into decision-making considerations, as well as clarifying certain calls to understand how the laws of the game are interpreted.
As part of Sky Sports’ regular show after the game, Foy will be here to take you through some of the EFL’s refereeing questions…
“Coventry City” 2-2 “Sheffield United”.
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Coventry were shown a yellow card for this incident… was it an attempted foul or a genuine penalty?
Incident: Possible penalty foul (Coventry City)
Decision. No Penalty, Simulation (Coventry City)
Foy says“The referee does a great job here of correctly identifying the action of the Coventry number 23 simulation, especially given the rapidly developing phase of the game.
“Although Sheffield United’s number 14 is initially playing for the tackle, he turns his foot at the last minute and therefore makes very little contact with the opposition.
“However, the Coventry player goes to ground in a way that is inconsistent with the foot, at most, a very slight touch, as if to deceive the referee into awarding a penalty.
“The referee is in a good position to detect the actions of the attacking player and correctly awards Sheffield United a defensive free-kick and shows a yellow card for simulation.”
“Oxford United” 2-6 “Middlesbrough”.
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Oxford defender Matthew Clarke made a reckless slide in the penalty area, resulting in a spot kick and a yellow card. Should the card have been red?
Incident: Possible penalty and red card (Middlesbrough)
Decision. Penalty and Caution (Middlesbrough)
Foy says“The referee gets this one right on both fronts. Even though Middlesbrough’s number 50 had already played the ball at the point of contact, the challenge is clearly reckless and calls for a spot kick and a yellow card.
“Oxford’s No 5 makes a tackle that catches his opponent too late, which is why a penalty is awarded. However, despite the speed of the challenge, it does not warrant a straight red card as it lacks excessive force .
“The fine and caution are the right result.”
Lincoln City 2-3 Wycombe Wanderers
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Did Lincoln City goalkeeper George Wickens deny an obvious scoring chance?
Incident: Possible red card, deprivation of the opportunity to score a goal. DOGSO (Lincoln City)
Decision. No red card, no DOGSO (Lincoln City)
Foy says“I think the referee gets this one right as there is too much doubt in deciding whether a clear foul on the Lincoln City keeper missed an obvious scoring opportunity or not.”
“As the ball is lifted over the keeper by the Wycombe Wanderers number 12, it is doubtful that the forward will maintain possession or control of the ball and is likely to be covered by two of Lincoln City’s defenders.”
“These elements mean that this is not a clear goal-scoring opportunity, therefore the yellow card is correctly shown.”
Shrewsbury Town 3-2 Birmingham City
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Yellow card for a high challenge on a Birmingham player.Should the boots have been red?
Incident: Possible red card, serious foul (Birmingham City)
Decision. No red card (Birmingham City)
Foy saysAlthough Birmingham City’s number 14 could argue that he was trying to play the ball, he was very lucky not to be shown a red card here. Contact with the head of a Shrewsbury player means that a challenge endangers the safety of an opponent.
“The referee’s view is after the challenge, however, between him and the assistant referee they should have worked out that the high boot was a straight red card.
Carlisle United 0-0 Doncaster Rovers
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Carlisle were disqualified for an offside goal against Doncaster. Did the lineman make the right decision?
Incident: Goal scored, possibly offside (Carlisle United)
Decision. Goal disallowed for offside (Carlisle United)
Foy says“This is great work from the assistant referee as he reveals that firstly Carlisle’s number 9 is offside at the time of the kick, is taken by Carlisle’s number 14, and secondly that he then touches the ball before it goes in. eventually appear in the network.
“As the kick-off goes in and is saved, number 9 is offside.
“As the shot is held by the goalkeeper, the number 9 makes contact with the ball, deflecting it into the path of the number 3. Because of this touch and his original position, the assistant referee correctly places his flag as a No 9.” interferes with play This was excellent refereeing at such a fast pace and at such a crucial stage of the contest.
