Debatable Decisions EPL

Two game days in one and finally up to date. Well played to our judges for having the stamina to sift through 31 big debatable decisions. A happy New Year to all of them and all of you too. Enjoy!

Man City – Reading

Tabb Penalty Shout (Not Given)

Simon M – I think there is the slightest of nudges on Tabb from the City defender. You could argue that a slight nudge shouldn’t send a player down, but when they’re travelling at speed to try and get on the end of a cross I think even a slight nudge could send them flying.

Simon F – The defender clearly gives Tabb a nudge which stops him competing for the ball. It would have been in the ‘soft’ category, but I’d have given a penalty for it.

David – I don’t think so. He has eyes for the ball and bangs into the side of him. An accidental collision at worst.

Callum – Not for me.

Michael – I don’t think that is a foul at all. Neither has the ball, neither deviates their run to impede the other, and the stronger man won. Bit sick of people wanting to punish strength and reward players for being soft.

Overall Verdict – Correct Decision

Possible Handball In City Area (Not Given)

Simon M – Arms down by his sides, but he moves his body and arms towards the ball. I would have given this. Difficult one to catch for the officials, though.

Simon F – The defenders arms are down by his sides, not in an unnatural positions and I don’t think this was a penalty.

David – He’s moving his arm out of the way and it is close to his body. I couldn’t give that.

Callum – Handball. Penalty, and a yellow card.

Michael – I think the referee has to give that, although don’t think he had the best position to see it. Definite move towards the ball with the arm and a it gets a telling touch. Penalty kick.

Overall Verdict – Incorrect Decision

Barry Possibly Climbing As Scores

Simon M – What’s Barry supposed to do? Leave it because there’s a defender in the way? He goes for the ball and Shorey backs into him. If anything Shorey is fouling Barry rather than the other way round.

Simon F – For Shorey to have been impeded, he would have had to made some attempt to compete for the ball. He didn’t, his only movement was to back into Barry and for me Barry was already in the air before putting his hands on Tabb. No foul.

David – He does shove the Reading defender’s head downwards at a crucial moment. I think he’s impeding his movement, illegally.

Callum – Can’t say I know enough of this rule, but it seems like a combination of the two would mean that play would go on – Defender not jumping so Barry has to climb over him. Goal stands in my eyes.

Michael – It only looks like climbing because Shorey makes no attempt to contest it. The defender gambled that he could ease Barry away from it and lost. I think that if Shorey tried to jump and was held down then you’d have to say it was a foul, but that wasn’t the case, so let it go.

Overall Verdict – Correct Decision

West Ham – Everton

Osman Goal Disallowed

Simon M – I really hate goalkeepers getting the rub of the green ahead of attackers and we’ve seen some really bad examples of it this season, but this isn’t one of them. If Anichebe had just been standing his ground, fair enough, but he’s also holding Jaaskelainen.

Simon F – Anichebe clearly has his arm wrapped around Jaaskelainen which prevents the goalkeeper from coming out and challenging for the ball. A definite foul.

David – By the book, it’s probably obstruction on the keeper, but this happens all the time and never gets called. I personally hate seeing keepers blocked like that, so I’ll call it a foul, but there needs to be greater clarity on what is and isn’t allowed in the box during a set-piece.

Callum – Should have been allowed. The ‘keeper has made no attempt to go for the ball because someone is in his way. Poor refereeing.

Michael – I didn’t understand the fuss around this one being disallowed. It isn’t that Anichebe is just standing his ground and making the goalkeeper come around him, he is also holding the goalkeeper and preventing him from coming for the ball. It was rightly ruled out for me.

Overall Verdict – Correct Decision

Carlton Cole Red Card

Simon M – He isn’t looking at the player and just tries to play the ball, very harsh.

Simon F – Reckless, yes and possibly worthy of a yellow card, but certainly not red.

David – I know these have been rescinded, but it would be dishonest of me to change what was my initial opinion when I saw them. I think this is too high and makes potential injury-causing contact with the player. Intent is unimportant here. A red.

Callum – Foot is high, really high. Hasn’t won the ball. Red card.

Michael – A total nonsense. The foot was high but so what? Yellow card at the very most.

Overall Verdict – Incorrect Decision

Darren Gibson Red Card

Simon M – I’m going to mark this as incorrect because it was rescinded, but I don’t actually think it was. Gibson could win the ball, but doesn’t. I think he’s made a move to stamp on the opposition player.

Simon F – Exactly the same as the Cole red, definitely not worthy of one, and good to see it overturned.

David – Pretty much the same as the Cole one. Way too high and makes contact with the upper body of the opponent. Red.

Callum – Same as for Cole. Probably less control of himself then Cole had. Red card.

Michael – An attempt from the referee to make a right out of two wrongs. Very poor. Another ludicrous decision.

Overall Verdict – Incorrect Decision

West Brom – Norwich

Free Kick for Norwich Goal

Simon M – Unlike one or two of the free kicks we’ve seen awarded to Norwich recently this one does look like it was the correct decision. He’s been cleaned out by the West Brom player and the referee had no choice.

Simon F – There is enough contact to send the Norwich player over, simple decision for me and the referee got it right.

David – He does pretty much bundle him to the ground without getting close to the ball. A foul.

Callum – Free-kick.

Michael – Definite foul this one. West Brom can have no complaints.

Overall Verdict – Correct Decision

Norwich Penalty Shout For Handball (Not Given)

Simon M – Na, that’s hit incredibly hard and the West Brom lad has his arms down by his sides.

Simon F – The player’s arms are down by his side and any penalty given for this would be very harsh.

David – Arms by his sides, turning to get out of the way. If you start giving these, there will be penalties galore.

Callum – Not for me.

Michael – Even if it did hit the arm, and I am not all that convinced that it did, I don’t think a case can be made for it being intentional or especially avoidable. No penalty.

Overall Verdict – Correct Decision

Olsson Penalty Shout (Not Given)

Simon M – One of those decisions that we saw go Stoke’s way so often last season. I think it’s a foul and I think a penalty should have been awarded.

Simon F – Olsson is clearly being held by Bassong and again it’s enough to impede, so he should have had a penalty.

David – He wasn’t going to get the ball anyway, but a tugs a tug. By the rules, a foul and a penalty.

Callum – Had Macauley not won the ball, and that was going through to Olsson, I’m certain it would have been a penalty. Think it should have regardless though, incorrect decision.

Michael – I think I’d have been inclined to give that. Clear pull on the shirt and strong enough of one to impede the player.

Overall Verdict – Incorrect Decision

Wigan – Arsenal

Walcott Penalty (Given)

Simon M – That looks really, really soft and I know I often mention how little contact is needed to send a player in full flight down, but I think it would be a real stretch of the imagination to say that Walcott was actually impeded there.

Simon F – It’s difficult to tell as neither of the camera angles are conclusive, but based on the evidence available I have to say that I don’t think Beausejour impeded Walcott, who went down very easily.

David – Soft. I think Walcott makes the most of very slight contact. Not enough in it for me.

Callum – No penalty.

Michael – It was clumsy and untidy but I think there is enough in it to justify a penalty. Correct call.

Overall Verdict – Incorrect Decision

Possible Gibbs Handball in Arsenal Area (Not Given)

Simon M – Nope, yet another silly handball decision that we have to cover, but never a penalty.

Simon F – Gibbs puts his arms up between the ball being struck and it hitting him, so he definitely had time to get them out of the way. Given the distance the ball has travelled and the movement of the arms towards the ball, I would have given a penalty.

David – Close to the body, he raises his hands to protect himself, and the ball would have just bounced off his chest anyway. No real advantage gained for Arsenal as a result. No penalty for me.

Callum – It’s going towards his body. No penalty.

Michael – I don’t think so. No attempt to use the arm and if it didn’t hit the arm it would have hit him anyway. I don’t think you can give a penalty for it.

Overall Verdict – Correct Decision

Southampton – Sunderland

Mayuka Penalty Shout (Not Given)

Simon M – I don’t see any contact. Honestly. Nowhere near a penalty.

Simon F – Again difficult to judge from what we have available, but I think Mayuka is clipped and should have had a penalty.

David – He’s done well to get to the ball and Mayuka hits the ground so fast. I’m not inclined to give this.

Callum – No penalty.

Michael – Yeah, I think that should have been given. Certainly doesn’t win the ball and there is enough contact there to take him off his feet.

Overall Verdict – Correct Decision

Chelsea – Aston Villa

Torres Penalty Shout (Not Given)

Simon M – Similar to the Barry goal against Reading, if a player is going to stand there and not go for the ball and a defender needs to get to it then going over them is fine by me.

Simon F – A 50/50 shout in my book and I certainly wouldn’t argue if the decision comes out the other way, but for me this comes under the same type as Barry’s goal for Man City. Torres isn’t jumping to compete for the ball and Baker was already in the air, so just about no foul.

David – I’m not usually one to tell players to get over it, but come on. Torres has to man up a bit here and challenge for the ball more effectively.

Callum – Could see it given, he’s wrapped his arms round him. Not for me though, Torres hasn’t made any effort to jump so he isn’t impeded in any way.

Michael – Similar to the Gareth Barry one earlier. As long as Torres isn’t trying to compete for it, he isn’t being impeded. No penalty.

Overall Verdict – Correct Decision

Free Kick For Chelsea Goal

Simon M – Fair enough free kick, definite foul.

Simon F – It’s late and does catch the Chelsea player, definite foul.

David – It’s hard to tell how much contact there from the angle I saw, but it looks like the Chelsea man just ran into him after the defender had legitimately gone for the ball. Not a foul for me.

Callum – Don’t see how that’s debatable. Free-kick.

Michael – I think it’s reasonable enough. Certainly nothing about it that makes me really question it, anyway.

Overall Verdict – Correct Decision

Oscar Penalty (Given)

Simon M – I feel there was enough to send Oscar down and would have awarded the penalty.

Simon F – Herd definitely tugs Oscar but I don’t think it was enough to put him off balance or impede him, so it shouldn’t have been a penalty.

David – I can see the little grasp on the arm and the contact with the right foot, but it seems very slight. Oscar is looking for it. Again, I’m just not inclined to give that, there isn’t enough of an infringement in my eyes.

Callum – Soft, but he’s got his arms round Oscar and turns him around. Penalty.

Michael – Another clumsy one, and Oscar has gone down very easily, but it’s a foul nonetheless.

Overall Verdict – Correct Decision

Piazon Penalty (Given)

Simon M – Nightmare afternoon for Villa. Another clear penalty.

Simon F – Piazon is definitely caught and impeded, a nailed on penalty for me.

David – Chelsea players just seem to be falling all over the place in this game, for me. This looks like a bit of a dive.

Callum –Penalty. Brought him down.

Michael – That one looked a little soft, but again the defender is doing enough to ask the question so he can’t rally have any complaints.

Overall Verdict – Correct Decision

Swansea – Man Utd

Possible Davis Handball In Sawsea Area #1 (Not Given)

Simon M – Not for me. No time to move his arm, arm not in an unnatural position etc etc etc.

Simon F – Correct decision. His arm is not in an unnatural position and he doesn’t have time to get it out of the way. No penalty.David – Can’t give it. Trying to move it out of the way, close to body, etc.

Callum – Again, at his body. No penalty.Michael – I don’t think the ball has traveled far enough the hand only stopped it from hitting his chest anyway. No penalty.

Overall Verdict – Correct Decision

Possible Foul on RvP In Build Up To Swansea Goal

Simon M – I would have given a free kick, he looks to be hauled over by Chico.

Simon F – A typical example of a centre forward leaning into a defender and expecting a free kick for it. Good on the referee for not giving it.

David – Six of one. Van Persie seems to be leaning into him as they go over so I wouldn’t put most of the blame for this interaction on the Swansea man.

Callum – I would have given it. Foul.

Michael – Looked like a fair old contest and was rightly allowed to go. Good decision.

Overall Verdict – Correct Decision

Attempted Murder on RvP

Simon M – A lot of nonsense doing the rounds about this, most notably from Fergie himself. That said, I think there was intent from Williams and RvP’s reaction was understandable. Yellow for both was about right.

Simon F – A disgraceful act punishable only by a custodial sentence; preferably life without parole. Or, on the other hand, perhaps a clear cut case of unsporting behaviour, for which the sanction is a yellow card. Which is exactly what the referee gave. Well done to the referee.

David – All hyperbole aside, it looks like he went to play the ball just as, or just after, the whistle was blown and only had a mind for the clearance. I can understand why Van Persie was annoyed – with that force at point blank range, it’s gonna hurt. But there is no maliciousness in it. So, “Not Guilty” on the attempted murder charge for me. As for the afters, two yellow cards was fair enough.

Callum – Haha. Bang him up. Williams should be booked for kicking the ball away, Van Persie should be sent off for his reaction. Whilst we’re at it, Ferguson should recieve a ban for going out crying to the press about getting a ball to the head relating to being murdered.

Michael – It wasn’t very pleasant but the incident itself was little more than a storm in a tea cup. Van Persie should have been sent off for his reaction, though.

Overall Verdict – Correct Decision

Possible Davis Handball In Swansea Area #2 (Not Given)

Simon M – Slightly different to the other one, I think he does move his arm towards the ball and I would have given a penalty.

Simon F – Again, his arm is not in an unnatural position and there is little time to move out of the way. No penalty.

David – Again, the arm is deliberately put up against the body in order to try and avoid a handball, so I can’t say this was a penalty.

Callum – No penalty.

Michael – Pretty much the same as the first one. Ball not traveled far enough and not much intent about it. Considering the punishment the offence carries, I don’t think you can justify giving it.

Overall Verdict – Correct Decision

Man Utd – Newcastle

Cisse Possibly Offside For Evans OG

Simon M – People seem to be buying the opinion of Graham Poll on this one, perhaps because Gab Marcotti tweeted Poll’s opinion and everybody seems to be right up Marcotti’s arse, or maybe because Poll is so renowned for his knowledge of the game ….*cough* three yellows. He’s offside, simple as that. We’ve seen goals ruled out because a player who didn’t touch it was in an offside position and interfering, so why’s this different?

Simon F – I’ve looked at this time and again and studied the laws, and I think the referee was absolutely right. Cisse does not touch the ball, so is not interfering with play. He doesn’t impede Evans’ line of sight or his movement, so is not interfering with an opponent and he is not gaining an advantage, as set down by the laws, as the ball does not rebound to him. A goal correctly given.

David – You could make a case for the old “interfering with play” from an offside position, but it wouldn’t be a strong one. The linesman’s been tricked by the angle and it’s a legal OG.

Callum – Good decision.

Michael – Right! This one! The actual offside rule seems to be open to a zillion different interpretations that can seemingly be used to fully justify any decision you want, but for me that is ludicrous. Cissé is in the six yard box and singularly dictating the positions and actions of both goalkeeper and defender. For anyone to suggest that he wasn’t active or interfering in the play is crazy. He was, quite simply, offside.

Overall Verdict – Correct Decision

Possible Colocinni Handball In Newcastle Area (Not Given)

Simon M – Think it’s inside and think it’s intentional. Penalty.

Simon F – A definite handball, but in my opinion Coloccini is just outside the penalty area. A free kick should have been awarded.

David – This seems like the 10th one of these I’ve commented on. Arms close to body, turning to get out of the way, possibly outside the box anyway, not a penalty.

Callum – Handball. Penalty.

Michael – Don’t think it travelled far enough and not certain it was even in the box. Not a penalty for me.

Overall Verdict – Correct Decision

Possible RVP Foul Before United Goal

Simon M – Don’t think that’s a slap or a foul, just a bit of hassle between two players and neither at fault.

Simon F – Nothing in this for me. He catches Coloccini but very slightly and I don’t think it was even worthy of a foul.

David – I think he does give Collocini a swipe just as he receives the ball, and the Newcastle defender is left out of position as a result. A free to the Magpies.

Callum – He likes a slap doesn’t he? Should have been a foul, possibly a booking, maybe even a red.

Michael – Just an innocent jostle I think. I’m happy to give van Persie the benefit of the doubt there.

Overall Verdict – Correct Decision

Valencia Possible Second Yellow

Simon M – No intent from Valencia, but it’s late and dangerous. Definitely a second yellow, possibly a red.

Simon F – How this was deemed not to be worthy of a yellow card is beyond me. It’s an easy decision to make and Valencia should have been sent off.

David – Awful challenge, late, studs out. Could easily have been a straight red and certainly worthy of what would have been a second yellow.)

Callum – Should have had another yellow card for that.

Michael – Yeah, nasty one. Definitely worthy of a second yellow. Should have been off.

Overall Verdict – Incorrect Decision

Sunderland – Man City

Possible Foul on Zabaleta In Build Up To Sunderland Goal

Simon M – Not much in that, don’t see the fuss and can’t believe Michael has voted the opposite direction. Shocking.

Simon F – Not even close to a foul in my opinion.

David – I do think that’s a foul after Zabaleta cleverly got the ball away. But I also want to state my support for teams playing on when opposition players have gone down “injured” as long as they aren’t interfering with play. It’s ridiculous that games get stopped over it.

Callum – Foul.

Michael – Yes, I think it’s a foul. Possibly not decisive, and how City managed to concede from that position is anyone’s guess, but the referee definitely got it wrong.

Overall Verdict – Incorrect Decision

Stoke – Liverpool

Suarez Penalty (Given)

Simon M – Clearly having his shirt pulled, no question of it not being a penalty.

Simon F – A clear foul by Shawcross on Suarez and (finally) he gets one.

David – He has a hold of his shirt alright, but it started outside the box. So, it should have been a free, not a penalty. And while it’s still a foul, Suarez is certainly simulating. Nothing makes him hit the ground.

Callum – Started outside the area. It’s a foul, but a free-kick.

Michael – He went down like a sack of spuds but was definitely being fouled. Correct decision.

Overall Verdict – Correct Decision

Suarez Tackle on Begovic (Yellow Given)

Simon M – He has a look for Begovic, knows he’s not going to win it and still puts his foot in high and late. Poor show from Suarez.

Simon F – I’m surprised to have seen so many call for this to be a red card, when the same people were adamant that the Cole and Gibson decisions were so abominable. Like them Suarez had his eyes on the ball and recklessly clattered into an opposing player; a yellow card was exactly the right decision.

David – Dangerous contact certainly, but I think Suarez is trying to pull out of the challenge before they come together. The keeper is jumping into him after all, it’s hard to get out of the way. I think a yellow is fair enough.

Callum – Unnecessary to raise his leg. Red card for me.

Michael – I think a yellow card was about right. Naughty, but no more.

Overall Verdict – Correct Decision

QPR – West Brom

Possible Foul on Green as West Brom Score

Simon M – Slightly different to the Anichebe incident, there’s no holding involved. Green is far too weak.

Simon F – A definite foul by Fortune, he is clearly impeding Green from properly challenging for the ball, resulting in a goal.

David – He’s backing into him I suppose, but the keeper is just so weak here. He could have tipped the ball the other way or tried to punch it, but instead to palms it into his own goal for some reason. I’d like to see a bar on players being situated next to opposition goalkeepers during set-pieces, but for this incident, I think the goal stands.

Callum – Fairly sure Green could push him out the way if he wanted to. Not a foul for me.

Michael – Green got himself in an atrocious position. He essentially blocked himself. I don’t think he was fouled and it’s a genuine shame that he couldn’t be booked himself purely for his stupidity.

Overall Verdict – Correct Decision

Possible Ridgewell Handball in West Brom Area (Not Given)

Simon M – What on earth is he playing at? Scrap that. What on earth are the officials playing at? That’s an atrocious decision.

Simon F – His arm is in an unnatural position and for that reason I would have given a penalty in this instance.

David – Now this is one I’ll give. The arm is up way too high, significant deflection of the ball to boot. A penalty.

Callum – Handball. Should have been given.

Michael – Not traveled far enough, etc etc etc. Not enough clear intent, etc etc etc. Correct decision.

Overall Verdict – Incorrect Decision

Everton – Wigan

Maloney Penalty Shout (Not Given)

Simon M – He’s definitely caught, even if Osman is trying to pull his leg back. Poor piece of refereeing.

Simon F – Osman does the classic defender trick of pulling his leg away after fouling the player, making it look like he was trying to get out of the way all the time. But in my opinion he fouled Maloney and Wigan should have had a penalty.

David – I’ve had a good long look. I think it’s a dive. I can’t see enough contact to justify him going over.

Callum – Penalty.

Michael – It’s a penalty, simple as that. The defender hangs out his leg nowhere near the ball and Maloney either falls over it or has to avoid it. Either way he is impeded. Very poor from the officials.

Overall Verdict – Incorrect Decision

Possible Handball By Kone As He Scores

Simon M – Fairly clear handball. He pats it down for himself and then strokes it home. Poor show referee.

Simon F – A clear handball, though I can at least understand why the officials missed it in the mêlée of players. Nevertheless, the goal should have been disallowed.

David – Yup. He raises his arm and deflects the ball downwards into a better position. It may have been accidental, but it doesn’t matter. Should have been a free.

Callum – Handball, the goal should have been disallowed.

Michael – I think he controlled it with his hand and there seemed a touch of intent about it. Has to be handball surely.

Overall Verdict – Incorrect Decision

Fulham – Southampton

Baird Handball in Fulham Area (Given)

Simon M – Even worse than the Ridgewell incident, at least the officials called this one correctly.

Simon F – A definite handball and well spotted by the officials.

David – Arm goes up too high and deflects the ball away from goal. A penalty.

Callum – Definite handball. Good decision from the officials.

Michael – Cracking defensive play if Baird was playing Basketball. The act of a stupid brain dead berk in football, though. Penalty kick.

Overall Verdict – Correct Decision

Reading – Swansea

La Fondre Goal Disallowed For Handball

Simon M – Woeful piece of cheating and the nerve to act like it wasn’t a handball and the referee had got it wrong. This drives me mad, people waffling on about diving and ignoring cheating like this. Disgraceful.

Simon F – A nice try by Diego Le Fondre, but the officials were right to rule this one out for handball.

David – A handball, a yellow card and a realisation that Maradona and Henry are not players to emulate in terms of sportsmanship should suffice.

Callum – Good decision.

Michael – This one was really galling. La Fondre knew he had handled it yet ran off celebrating which certainly suggests the whole thing was a conscious effort on his part. Well done to the referees for not falling for it, but I’d have no complaints if he received a retrospective ban for that. Worse than diving. Cheat.

Overall Verdict – Correct Decision