and that's what happened to poor old England in Moscow.
Rooney was offside for his goal (a scorching shot by the way). I was on a plane at the time but I've seen the goals on youtube. The camera angle is perfect and the Russian director dwelt on the image for some time. Most of Rooney's body is goalside of the last defender when Owen amazingly rises above a strapping Russian to nod it on.
However, in the 69th minute Rooney fouled the Russian attacker outside the penalty area, although this is a closer call. He definitely starts fouling him outside the area but when does he STOP fouling him? Is he in physical contact with him inside the box? I don't think so.
It's rubbish for anyone to say that the referee gave the decision even though the assistant had a better view. These days the flag plays little or no part in these decisions as the officials are miked up and talking to each other. The referee will have said something like, "I see a penalty for that push. Any objections assistant?". Then the assistant can speak. It all happens very quickly.
However if the referee, Luis Medina Cantalejo, one of the most experienced in the game and who performed at the highest levels in the World Cup, did not speak to his assistant, he made a mistake. It was so close, and he was at an acute angle, that he needed the assistant's confirmation.
So that levels the wrong decisions. No-one but England and Paul Robinson are to blame for the amateurish parry that palmed the ball directly to the feet of the Russian striker for the winner. Goalkeepers practice pushing the ball away from danger every day of the week. It was a crass mistake that has probably cost England a place in Euro2008. Oh yes, and don't forget Gerrard's miss.
2 comments:
The assistant is most certainly involved, albeit discretely.
Look closely at the assistant just before the pen is awarded. On the foul, he moves the flag to the other hand and grabs the corner of the flag. He then moves slowly towards the corner flag. In my opinion, this is his input, I think he decided that it was inside, hence the slight delay on the whistle.
Discrete, but I think the assistant had more involvement than appears at first sight!
Harsh to pick on Robinson for this one. He pushed it out and his defenders reacted slower than their attackers. Mistakes yes for both the other goals on part of the officials but how slight were they? Even sky sports on the night didn't make a big deal of it, although if the first goal was against England it might have been different. Were the refs wearing microphones?
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