An Explosion On The Soccer Pitch

The following incident occurred during an AFC Asian Champions League quarterfinal first-leg match between Foolad Sepahan (Iran) and Al Ahli (Saudi Arabia) on 20 September 2012. The match finished 0—0.

In the 64', away team Al Ahli won a corner kick and home supporters threw objects on to the pitch near the corner flag. After the corner was taken and the ball was out of play, AR2 Chow Chun-kit (Hong Kong) signalled that there was debris in his area. Referee Liu Kwok-man (Hong Kong) went to investigate. Videos of the incident show what happened:

Grenade Explodes on Football Pitch (The Guardian)

Luckiest Man of the Week (YouTube)




Firecracker Explosion in Iran (YouTube)





Referee Liu was responsive and responsible. As the match Referee he is empowered to stop, suspend or abandon the match as he sees fit. Eventually, the match was suspended for about five minutes and then play resumed. The AFC is now investigating the incident.

Tasty Probert Sandwich Taken In Good Spirits

The following incident occurred during the EPL match between Wigan Athletic and Fulham on Saturday 22 September 2012. The match finished 1—2.

In the 15', Referee Lee Probert was scythed down simultaneously from behind by Fulham's Steve Sidwell (black 7) and in front by Wigan's Ben Watson (blue/white 8). Here are the freeze frames:

Lee Probert displayed a good sense of humour to lighten the mood. Fortunately, he was up and running again and did not seem to suffer physically from the incident.

Technically, Probert could have cautioned both players for being reckless. However, this would not have gone down well with players, supporters and commentators.

Mark Halsey was the 4th Official, and in the event of a serious injury to the match Referee he would be the replacement. Probert was not harmed, and humour also prevailed. 

Mark Halsey did not have to come on, and the next day took charge of the emotionally-charged Liverpool vs Manchester United match

BBC's Match of the Day heaped further jokes on Probert with this incident as soon as Probert was ready to restart play. Here are the freeze frames:

Wigan's Ben Watson appears to have got it in for Probert, doesn't he?

Considering Lee Probert's recent history in the EPL (see Probing Lee Probert Part 1; Part 2; Part 3; Part 4; Progress Report; and What is Probert Looking At?), this "experience" of being mown down should stand him in good stead by allowing him to "taste" such challenges. Hopefully, he will not "miss" or "let go" any unsavoury challenges similar to the ones he has missed before.

PK Position Permutations

Consistency amongst Referees within the same competition is crucial, especially if all match officials associated with the competition are to gain and retain credibility. The following penalty kicks in three MLS matches indicates that consistency, and hence credibility, is missing. 

PK Incident One

This is the penalty kick during the MLS match between Chicago Fire and FC Dallas on 23 May 2012 (video highlights here). Here are the freeze frames:

Outcome: Goal allowed by Referee Hilario Grajeda.

A goal was scored by another player (red 16) after the PK was initially saved by the goalkeeper. What should have been the proper decision?

PK Incident Two

This is the penalty kick during the MLS match between San Jose Earthquakes and Columbus Crew on 19 May 2012 (video highlights here). Here is the freeze frame:

Outcome: Goal allowed by Referee Juan Guzman.

A goal was scored by Quakes penalty taker (black 8). What should have been the proper decision?

PK Incident Three

This is the penalty kick during the MLS match between Chivas USA and LA Galaxy on 19 May 2012 (video highlights here). Here are the freeze frames:

Here is the penalty kick from another camera angle:

Outcome: The penalty is scored but Referee Mike Geiger immediately disallows it and points to the culprit who encroached. 

The penalty kick is retaken, and this time all players stay out of the area. Here is the freeze frame:  

Notice how players this time are staying out of the penalty area

Referee Mark Geiger displays confident, credible and commanding officiating. 

NOTE: Here is the incident that led to Geiger's penalty decision. It is a classic DOGSO by hand. Here are the freeze frames:

Question: Did Referee Mark Geiger have a clear view of the incident? Or was he assisted?

LA Galaxy's David Junior Lopes (white 3) demonstrates a lack of respect, and an ignorance of the rules, by continuing to argue against his send off. Disgraceful behaviour. Here are the freeze frames:

Referee Mark Geiger displays confident, credible and commanding officiating. 


If the positioning during penalty kicks of some MLS Referees is any indication, then PRO general manager Peter Walton has work to do to establish consistency and credibility.

Related Posts 

Able Referee Assistants Must Assist Referees Ably

Able Referee Assistants Must Assist Referees Ably Part 2

Baptism of Fire for Roger East in EPL Part 1

The following incidents occurred during the English Premier League match between Swansea and Sunderland on Saturday 1 September 2012. The match finished 2—2. There were 2 YCs and 1 RC.

The match was 47-year-old Roger East's EPL debut as a Referee. This match appears to be a huge baptism of fire for him, with players testing him constantly and the match throwing up plenty of challenging incidents for him.

In 3', a Swansea attacker (white) knocks the ball past a Sunderland defender (blue 8) and is subsequently prevented from progressing in the penalty area. However, Referee Roger East calls a foul in the other direction and gives a DFK to the defending team. Here are the freeze frames:

Should this have been a penalty … instead of a DFK to the defending team?


A similar incident occurs 12 minutes later (in the 15'). But this time it is a Sunderland player (blue 8) who knocks the ball past a Swansea defender (white 3) and is subsequently prevented from progressing down the right wing. AR1 (Peter Kirkup) calls the foul and Referee East whistles for a DFK to the attacking team. Here are the freeze frames:

This is an example of excellent assistance from AR1 (Peter Kirkup), since it is not clear whether Referee East would have called it correctly, considering the earlier incident in the 3'.

Unfortunately, Swansea defender Neil Taylor (white 3) suffers a freak accidental injury as his left ankle sticks to the ground and his opponent's full weight falls on top of him.

Notice AR1 has flagged for a DFK to the attacker (blue 8)

Taylor's ankle is fractured in three places (a multiple fracture) and he will miss the rest of the season.

This is a good example why Referees never look at the consequences of challenges when deciding whether the challenge was fair or unfair. Referees are trained to look only at the action of the challenge.

Note: Sunderland's Craig Gardner (blue 8) was involved in both incidents. With the first incident, he was fortunate not to concede a penalty (incorrect call by Referee), and with the second he was fortunate to receive a DFK (correct call by AR1).


The injury to Taylor meant there was 6 minutes of additional time in the first half.

AR1 Peter Kirkup and 4th Official Andre Marriner

In the 45+5', Swansea defender Angel Rangel (white 22) appears to push Sunderland attacker Stephen Fletcher (blue 26) in the back and then has no trouble cleaning up the Sunderland attack. Here are the freeze frames:

Referee East waves "no foul" and, with this second penalty appeal in the first half turned down, appears to not want to give any penalties.

This poor first half performance was most probably not what Referee East had wanted. In part two, we will discover whether East's performance picks up in the second half.