Referees need good assistants. A good assistant who is spot on with decisions makes an enormous difference to the ref's job. It's a lot easier being able to concentrate on your half (or two quarters) of the field knowing the linos are on the ball. But when that confidence is knocked by poor decisions, the referee is forced into constantly second guessing his assistant.
This weekend, two referees were let down by assistants, in my humble opinion. Howard Webb looked as if he was about to yellow card Chelsea's Lampard and West Ham's Boa Morte when the two tangled petulantly. Lampard fouled Boa Morte, the Hammer kicked out his foot at Lampard on the ground and Lampard pushed Boa Morte to the floor as he got up.
Nothing too violent, but a couple of yellows would have been suitable punishment. Instead, on comes the assistant with some advice for Howard Webb, apparently about the push. Perhaps the lino felt Lampard had made contact with Boa Morte's face. He didn't. But Webb listened to the lino and red carded Lampard. Boa Morte escaped scot-free.
In Derby, Michael Chopra's timing was perfect as he beat the Derby offside trap to score for Sunderland, but the flag was raised for offside. The TV camera was perfectly placed to show the two players were level when the ball was passed - hence no offside.
The Lampard red card had no effect on the result, although it will menan a suspension for crucial matches for Chelsea unless Webb agrees to rescind the red card. But Sunderland needed those three points against a Derby team who are virtually relegated.
I have a feeling the refereeing powers that be may give the middle men a break this week to concentrater on the men with the flags.
4 comments:
Was Peter Walton that sent off Lampard, not Howard Webb.
Was Chopra level? yes his feet may have been but as I understand it If any part of the body that can legally play the ball is in front the second last defender etc he can and should be given offside... now when I saw it I thought offside! looking at the replays yes the feet were level but Chopra had his body in front of the defender so I believe it was a very good and couragous decision.. have another look if you can....it goes without saying that those pundits on MOTD will never understand that or want to....
very interesting point anon (and sorry about it being walton, not webb.
Indeed the law says arms/head are relevant when the decision is made. so if the feet are on and the arms are off, what's the decision? offside i suppose.
I think, however, the explanation is more mundane as the replays show another player standing between Chopra and the lino.
I only saw the MOTD line and Shearer as always supporting the forward. They didn't have a camera directly in line so tricky call for the assistant and one of those that could go either way. I see Lampard has been correctly let off today, as well as the Stoke defender. They must have both been worried after Aliadiere's ban was increased last week.
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