Three years ago I made a decision that would change my life forever. It is the kind of decision you look back on and think ?Why on earth did I do that??. It seemed a good idea at the time although admittedly, I only did it to be a sheep. I did it because a couple of school friends had done it and I thought if they can I can. Imagine making a decision that often makes you the most unpopular person around. Well, that is exactly what I did when I enrolled on a referee?s course!

There is a fantastic book that everyone should read who is involved with football. It does exactly what it says on the tin and is called ?The Laws of Association Football?. It is the bible for referees but it?s actual full title is ?The Laws of Association Football: Guide for Players and Referees?. The only problem is, most people only expect to referee to read this and very few players actually no (all of) the rules. Notwithstanding that I was sheep in doing the course, the other major reason was the fact I want to learn more about football. He who has knowledge has power. So I trotted along for 10 weeks, did the course (which was free), did the exam and became a fully qualified FA referee. Now the fun starts. . . . .

Over the last three years I have refereed five a side football, kids football, adult football, internal work games and I have recently been appointed to Sunderland?s Academy of Light as an Assistant Referee. It has been very rewarding both financially and from a personal perspective. In my 9-5 job, I do Relationship Management and much of what I have learnt on the field has switched across to my 9-5 job and vice versa. It is character building as well. However, there are also the unsavoury incidents, the incidents where people verbally or physically abuse you. This is why the pay is so high!

In the current climate of domestic and international football, there is constant debate about refereeing decisions. The right ones. The wrong ones. The missed ones. The ?I am just going to get on his back because I can? ones. It is an interesting part of football and hence the reason State of the Game have strived to bring you the man in the middle?s opinion. In this weekly column, you will get the thoughts of a referee on the major decisions of the weekend?s football and perhaps best of all, the chance to Ask the Ref! No question is too small, no question is too big. I will try and answer them all.

I start my column with a review of the major incidents in the fiery Blackburn Rover v Tottenham Hotspur game!

Tugay Sending Off
Recap: Tugay seemingly brings down Ghaly in the penalty area and is promptly red carded and Tottenham awarded a penaltly.

While I respect everyone?s opinion in football, Mark Hughes was wrong with this one. He believes it should never have been a red card but the Laws of the Game would say otherwise. Forgetting whether he was last man, which is a common misnomer, Tugay was sent off for denying a goal scoring opportunity. The referee was spot on with his decision and TV replays backed it up. Tugay?s trailing leg caught Ghaly who was about to be one on one with the goalkeeper. Maybe a red card and a penalty is harsh but it is in the rules of the games.

Verdict: Referee spot on

Mido ?handball??
Recap: The ball is seemingly controlled by Mido with his arm in the penalty area. No penalty is given.

The referee does not have the best view of this one and therefore, he takes guidance from his Assistant. Assistant are there to assist and taking the view of a professional with a better view is the correct course of action. The Assistant indicated that he felt it hit Mido in the upper left hand side of his chest as opposed to the arm. I initially thought it was a penalty from the view of the tv camera but further replays have proved a little inconclusive although MOTD2 claimed it did not hit him. To be handball, it has to be deliberate and I honestly do not think Mido was deliberately trying to use his arm but perhaps the flight of the ball caught him out.

Verdict: Five replays later and I cannot tell, Referee probably correct

Ghaly red card
Recap: Hossam Ghaly jumps with an elbow leading and catches Michael Gray in the head, he is sent off for violent conduct

This is the only decision I think the referee may have got wrong. Ghaly does jump with his elbow leading but seemingly, is only trying to get leverage. The key for me in these type of decisions is the players eyes and where he is looking. In my mind, he clearly tried to get ball but perhaps left his arm in there too long. The red card was based on the assumption there was violent conduct. Striking an opponent with your elbow is violent but only if intentional. I watched a couple of replays on this and still could not tell so I will stick with my tribe and go against the initial instinct to say it was correct.

Verdict: Correct, just.

I have based my decision on what was seen on numerous TV replays after. Remember, the referee has one view, at full speed and a split second to react. No referee gets 100% decision correct but I think Phil Dowd did excellent throughout this game.

Five Teasers
1. When a goal take is being taken, when does the ball become active?
a. When the ball leaves the penalty area?
b. When the goalkeeper kicks it?
c. When it touches an opponent?
2. The final whistle has been blown and a player strikes another player, can the referee show him the red card?
3. You have an indirect free kick and try to pass it back to your goalkeeper. The goalkeeper misses it completely and it goes into the back of the net. Is it a goal?
4. Shin guards and socks are essential bits of equipment but what rule governs how they are worn?
5. A shot is taken and the ball bursts mid-flight but still beats the goalkeeper, is it a goal?

Answers will be revealed in next week?s column. For absolutely no prize whatsoever, you can leave your answers on the forum and show off to the rest of us just how knowledgable you really are.

Until next week?..

The Ref.

This entry was posted on Wednesday, November 22nd, 2006 at 8:30 am and is filed under Tottenham Hotspur, Blackburn Rovers. You can subscribe via RSS 2.0 feed to this post's comments. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.