Officially Speaking – with Keith Hackett
This week’s ‘Officially Speaking’ is considerably shorter than normal due to the FA Cup Semi Finals and the Premier League matches spread out over the start of this week.
WEEK 32 REFEREE PERFORMANCE REVIEW
FRIDAY 16TH APRIL
EVERTON V TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR Result 2-2
Referee: Michael Oliver. Assistants: Stuart Burt, Simon Bennett. Fourth official: Craig Pawson. VAR: Andre Marriner. Assistant VAR: Sian Massey-Ellis.
The big talking point in this game was the award of a penalty kick to Everton. Referee Oliver was near to play and firm with his decision. When replays were shown from different angles it appeared to me that the Everton player had gone to ground rather easily and that it was not a foul. VAR did not get involved they did not see it has a clear and obvious error.
Harry Kane scored two excellent goals and a resilient Everton managed a draw.
SATURDAY 17TH APRIL
NEWCASTLE UNITED V WEST HAM UNITED Result 3-2
Referee: Kevin Friend. Assistants: Simon Beck, Adrian Holmes. Fourth official: Darren England. VAR: Simon Hooper. Assistant VAR: Matthew Wilkes.
There was a brilliant piece of officiating in this game when Kevin Friend applied an advantage on the halfway line following a reckless challenge by Dawson of West Ham United. Play continued and after a mix-up by some West Ham defenders, the ball finished in the net. Well done, Referee.
This was a much-needed win for Newcastle United and probably retains their position in the Premier League for next season.
WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS V SHEFFIELD UNITED Result 1-0
Referee: Robert Jones. Assistants: Darren Cann, Mark Scholes. Fourth official: Andy Madley. VAR: Chris Kavanagh. Assistant VAR: Peter Kirkup.
I was rather surprised when Referee Jones (one of the new guys on the block) issued a yellow card to Sheffield United’s Brewster particularly when you take another look at the replay.
Wolves player Rayan Ait-Nouri was fortunate not to receive a red card for what was a serious foul play challenge. Where was VAR Chris Kavanagh? He must have seen the same clip that was available to me on television replays?!
SUNDAY 18TH APRIL
ARSENAL V FULHAM RESULT 1-1
Referee: Craig Pawson. Assistants: Scott Ledger, Richard West. Fourth official: Simon Hooper. VAR: Stuart Attwell. Assistant VAR: Constantine Hatzidakis.
I have expressed my concerns about the accuracy of the technology that is used to judge offside decisions. Arsenal had what I believe should have been a good goal ruled out. I also believe that the benefit of doubt should go to the scorer on these occasions.
In the build-up to the award of a penalty kick to Fulham, Arsenal were claiming offside with another tight judgment. VAR ruled not offside and one wonders what the difference was to that Arsenal goal ruled out decision.
Craig Pawson the referee was in a good position to rule out claims for a penalty kick. However, his assistant raised his flag and a review took place through VAR and a penalty kick awarded.
My view this is NOT a penalty kick and not a clear and obvious error. The Fulham player should have been yellow-carded for an act of simulation
The Arsenal goal was correctly awarded in the dying seconds of the game in line with the offside law. The scorer came from an onside position to score. There was an Arsenal player standing in an offside position in the build-up but he was not active and was not interfering with an opponent.
About Author
