I can sympathise with Arsene Wenger over the bizarre decision by experienced Italian referee Nicola Rizzoli in the Champions League game against FC Schalke, when he stopped play just as Arsenal had an excellent attacking opportunity.
The Schalke right back fell to the ground holding his ankle just outside his penalty area. There was no foul and the referee played on for six or seven seconds, during which Arsenal passed the ball three times and an Arsenal striker was played through on goal.
Just as this happened, Rizzoli, who refereed England's game against France at the European Championships, stopped play to allow the German defender to receive treatment.
But there was no reason to stop play.
It was reasonably obvious that the Schalke player was not seriously injured, which is the only reason for which the referee should stop play. This is often - incorrectly - interpreted as a head injury, but it can also apply if the referee thinks the player has broken his leg or something similar. A referee at that level should have enough sense to know that defenders try to break up attacks by feigning injury.
In this instance, the ploy worked perfectly. Who's to know if Arsenal would have scored but it was a good opportunity prevented by a combination of clumsy refereeing and feigning injury. As far as I'm aware the player returned to the field of play very quickly.
A referee would not normally stop play with the ball in the penalty area. The player would have to be in very serious condition indeed as it's clear the ball will either go dead very quickly or go back upfield when the whistle can be blown and medical treatment given.
A very poor decision by an experienced referee.
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