Debatable Decisions Week 13 – Part 2

Part Two of Week Thirteen and with just two games being played there’s always the worry that nothing debatable will happen and we’ll be left with nothing to write about.

Never fear, Super Mario is here.

Liverpool – Man City

Reina Handball

A wayward backpass gave Sergio Aguero the chance to latch on to a loose ball and get in behind the Liverpool defence, fortunately for Dalglish’s men Pepe Reina was alert to the danger and sprinted out of his box, sliding in to block Aguero’s control, but did he block it with his hand?

Simon: “This is a great piece of goalkeeping, quickly off his line and brave enough to throw himself in for the good of the team. The ball might have hit his arm, I’m not all that sure it did, but even so it was accidental and the referee was right to play on.”

Ben: “There was clearly no intent on Reina’s part here and neither was his arm in an unnatural position so this was the correct decision. You can’t give handball for that.”

Comments from other judges: “The ball obviously hits his hand but it was not done on purpose.” & “Would have been very harsh to give anything for this. There’s no deliberate effort to use the arm from Reina. It does seem to graze his arm but he’s making an effort only to avoid this and is very sure in using his body to block the ball.”

Overall Verdict: Correct Decision

Balotelli Red Card

Just when everyone thought the temperamental Italian had turned a corner he goes and gets himself sent off, with two yellow cards issued for two unnecessary offences, the first a daft pull on Johnson’s shirt in the middle of the pitch and the second for a high elbow when challenging Skrtel for an aerial pass.

Simon: “No arguments with the first one, cynical and unnecessary, I bet Mancini was fuming. The second, his arm was raised, but not in a malicious way and I don’t think he meant to catch Skrtel so I think the red was a little harsh. Agree with my colleagues too, Charlie Adam really shows himself up in this incident, pathetic.”

Ben: “Why always him? I think this is an incorrect decision, if there’s anything malicious in it then surely it should be a straight red? I don’t think there was anything malicious and I honestly don’t believe that the challenge should merit a yellow card. I haven’t seen the full clip but Skrtel seems to milk it for all it’s worth and Charlie Adam looks like he’s been taking lessons from Steven Taylor because he obviously saw something that we didn’t. There was no elbow, it’s about time the FA start taking lying players to task. Shameful.”

Comments from other judges: “First was an easy yellow card no questions about it. The second I think Skrtel made sure Super Mario was sent off but raising your arm like that is a yellow so he had to go.” & “Not impressed with Charlie Adam here, who seems to be suggesting there’s violent elbow swing. Anyway, the first is a definite yellow. Cynical tug back so you get what you ask for there. The second is not malicious and I can’t believe how much Skrtel makes of it. Adam’s behaviour is very disappointing. That being said, it’s a clumsy challenge and the arm is raised. In isolation, it probably is worthy of a yellow, and when you’ve already been booked, you have to go. Technically correct, but not as clear cut as some seem to think.”

Overall Verdict: Incorrect Decision

Swansea – Aston Villa

Williams Handball

An N’Zogbia cross was attacked by Emile Heskey whose header towards goal wasn’t anywhere near goal, but replays seemed to show that the direction of the ball might have been affected by a William’s handball.

Simon: “Um, does this even hit his hand? The commentator seems sure of it, but I don’t see it. Yeah, his hand is raised and the ball goes in the direction of his hand, but I don’t see anything resembling a handball here.”

Ben: “The replays are far from conclusive and I cannot call it one way or the other.”

Comments from other judges: “It does hit his hand but I cannot be 100 percent sure it was intentional so for me no penalty as you have to be certain.” & “I’ve looked at this over and over again and I can’t tell anything from the video. The angles aren’t revealing enough. I’m going to have to opt out of offering a decision here, I’m afraid.”

Overall Verdict: Correct Decision