Positioning Guidelines For FIFA Referees

The 2013 UEFA U21 European Championships held in Israel was home to some wonderful matches from players, some solid performances from match officials, and some fantastic entertainment in general for everyone involved.

For informative and insightful analyses, I suggest visiting The Third Team website. It is a great website looking at refereeing from Europe. They also have some dedicated and passionate "blog observers" who produce useful and helpful assessment reports.

My observation here is just a comment on the consistency of knowledge amongst all the upcoming referees from Europe. The natural assumption is that all FIFA referees are familiar with the LOTG—especially with the interpretations—and with special guidelines or directives that arise from time to time.

On this basis, it is puzzling to see the positioning of Referee Matej Jug (Slovenia) during penalty kicks. The following incidents occurred during the 2013 UEFA U21 Final between Italy and Spain on Tuesday 18 June 2013. The match finished 2—4, with 7 YCs.


Penalty One

In the 37', Referee Jug is perfectly positioned to make the correct call. Here are the freeze frames:

Notice the Italian players surrounding and hounding the Referee

Look at Referee Jug's positioning

Penalty Two

In the 64', Referee Jug is far behind from play as an Italy defender trips the Spain attacker. Here are the freeze frames:

A couple of seconds after the foul. Referee Jug comes into the frame. Who made the penalty call? The EAR or AR?

Referee Jug keeps his whistle in his mouth (see similar "whistle in mouth" case here). Something else (not a second whistle) dangles on the other end. What is it? It looks like a dog tag or key fob.

Again, notice the Referee's positioning

SUMMARY

Referee Matej Jug (Slovenia) and his colleagues who officiated at these U21 Championships are the next generation of top FIFA referees from Europe. They are currently categorized as Elite Development FIFA referees. The fact that there are still obvious inconsistencies with the interpretation of the LOTG should raise some concern. All match officials at international level should have sufficient training and knowledge to be consistently correct in the basic positioning concepts as described in the LOTG.

I can perhaps excuse the blatant performance of older match officials who stubbornly refuse to change their ways even in the face of the most up-to-date FIFA guidelines. The example here would be the stubborn and slovenly AR Arhar who previously worked with up-and-coming Slovenian Referee Damir Skomina (example here).

However, for Elite Development FIFA Referees, there can be no excuse for any inconsistencies with regard to the standard interpretations of the LOTG. If this basic procedure (i.e. positioning for a penalty kick) cannot be followed consistently amongst all FIFA referees, then what does it say about the referee assessors and instructors of the next generation of top FIFA referees? This blog has previously mentioned consistency problems amongst the next generation of referees (see here).


The match officials for the Final were:
Referee: Matej Jug (SVN)
Assistant Referee 1: Roland Brandner (AUT)
Assistant Referee 2: Vencel Tóth (HUN)
Additional Assistant Referee 1: Halis Özkahya (TUR)
Additional Assistant Referee 2: Ivan Kružliak (SVK)
Fourth Official: Ivan Bebek (CRO)
UEFA Referee Observer: Hugh Dallas (SCO)
UEFA Delegate: Petr Fousek (CZE)

EARs: Cherry Picking With Collina Part 1 of 2

UEFA believe in the use of additional assistant referees:

"Two extra pairs of eyes focusing on the penalty areas are of valuable assistance to the referees and strengthen the referee team in confidence and numbers, while allowing the game to flow." — Michel Platini, UEFA president

HKRef admires Pierluigi Collina as a top top Referee. In his present role as UEFA Chief Refereeing Officer, it is perhaps understandable that he is toeing the line (Platini's line) in its support of using extra match officials which UEFA calls additional assistant referees (see Now We See More). In this instance HKRef is skeptical about Collina's claims unless, as mentioned back in 2009 (see New Europa League will Trial "Five" Match Officials), UEFA truly reveals the datasets and statistical analyses of their "experiment". The fact that UEFA has promoted their pre-conceived conclusions without providing any solid evidence is perhaps another issue for discussion.


Aside: Once again, as a matter related to native English language tendencies, this blog insists on using the term Extra Assistant Referees (EARs) instead of AARs (see earlier explanation here). The choice in using "additional" is most probably a decision made by a non-native English speaker … since for native English speakers it is more natural and easier to use "extra" rather than "additional" in everyday use.


In UEFA's videoclip (see Additional assistant referees DVD for FAs) Collina says:

The main goal of having two more match officials involved in the match is to give the referee support in taking decisions when something occurs in and around the penalty area and not to control the goal line only.

There are very few occasions when it is not clear if the ball has crossed, or not, the goal line and there are many more occasions when the incidents take place in and around the penalty area and the referee has to take a decision when not in the best position, or condition, to do it.

Close to 1,000 matches since August 2008 have used additional assistant referees [EARs]

UEFA's graphic claims 1000+, when in fact it should be ~1000

Collina claims that the results achieved are:

1) a better assessment of incidents, particularly fouls, occurring in and around the penalty area with the referees not able to make a decision;

2) a reduction of incidents like holding, pulling and blocking at set pieces (corner kicks, free kicks) has been widely noticed as the additional assistant referees presence works as a deterrent. If you consider that in most matches around 10 corner kicks and 8 free kicks are taken towards the penalty area and that in most of these holding and blocking can occur, it is easy to see why the additional assistant referees presence is so important**; and

3) a better control of the goal line to determine whether the ball crosses the line.

But something else we identified as a result of additional assistant referees presence:

4) An improved standard of assistant referees decision and accuracy as they can now focus their attention on offsides only. We had more than 96% accuracy on about 430 offside decisions with 27 goals scored on difficult offside-onside positions

UEFA used a videoclip of this AR (above) making an offside decision. What a shame this AR did not use the standard protocol and raise his flag straight up.

Note: This fourth point is the only instance where UEFA uses a dataset and statistics [why doesn't UEFA share their other datasets?]. This means 413 offside decisions were correct, out of 430. This also means 17 offside decisions were incorrect during EURO 2012.


** Collina uses anecdotal evidence to persuade. He claims EARs have a deterrent effect. Where are the statistics that show the presence of EARs have a deterrent effect? How is this actually measured and concluded?
For instance (as above) he said: It is easy to see why the additional assistant referees presence is so important. This is called Cherry Picking. Whenever something occurs that supports your claims, you accept it into your results, but whenever something occurs that goes against your claims, you ignore it. For instance in this post, the example of AC Milan's Gianluca Zambrotta pushing an opponent in the penalty area goes against what Collina is claiming, and so is conveniently ignored. UEFA and Collina cherry pick in their support of the use of EARs.


Here are examples UEFA and Collina use in their videoclip to support the use of EARs:

1) EURO 2012 Italy v Croatia on 14 June 2012 at Municipal Stadium Poznan

EAR2 Mark Clattenburg spots and shouts: "defensive foul, defensive foul, defensive foul"

Referee Howard Webb says: "Yes, great play Clatts. We both saw that one. All nicely done" [This is what is heard from the videoclip]

This is UEFA's translation of Webb's English 

To European ears, "great play" magically becomes "great spotting". A native English speaker would never be caught saying "great spotting" (just as a native English speaker would much prefer to say "extra" instead of "additional").

Collina says, in all seriousness: "The voices are from the English match officials, with English subtitles."

Haha. Collina and UEFA are apparently so worried that Mark Clattenburg's Geordie (North-East) accent and Howard Webb's Yorkshire accent may not be so easily or universally understood, which is why they inserted English subtitles. Using that same "logic", this whole UEFA videoclip should have been subtitled because Collina's English accent (his English has a very strong Italian accent) may also not be so easily or universally understood. For example, Collina pronounces UEFA as sounding like "wafer".

And let's not get sidetracked with the humorous use, or non-use, of subtitles! Even though Collina is claiming that the EAR did a great job in identifying the foul, the fact is the Referee actually identified the defensive foul himself (this is what Webb clearly said on the communication system). So what is Collina's point?

Note: These are honest observations, and there is no intention of being disrespectful. If any reader has a problem with this blog's observations then they are welcome to leave this site.


Please see Part 2 of EARs: Cherry-Picking With Collina, where more examples will be presented.

Backpass Has To Be Deliberate Kick To Keeper

The following incident occurred during the Euro 2012 semifinal match between Portugal and Spain on Wednesday 27 June 2012. The match finished 0—0, with Spain progressing following a 4—2 penalty shootout. There were 9 YCs.

In 110', Spain's Jesus Navas gets into the box and his cross-shot from the right is blocked by Goalkeeper Rui Patricio. The ball bounces off Pepe's foot and into the keeper's arms. Here are the freeze frames:

Yes, naturally Spain players will complain and ask the Referee to take action but Referee Cüneyt Çakır clearly communicated his decision.
 

Iniesta wants an IFK … anything to give his team an edge

Remember, for the Referee to take action on a backpass, a player must deliberately kick the ball to his goalkeeper. Pepe's actions do not satisfy this requirement:

Related Post: See Passing on the Backpass Rule


The match officials were:
Referee: Cüneyt Çakır (TUR)
Assistant referees: Bahattin Duran (TUR), Tarik Ongun (TUR)
Fourth official: Damir Skomina (SVN)
Additional assistant referees: Hüseyin Göçek (TUR), Bülent Yıldırım (TUR)


Note: Penalty Kicks from the Mark 
EAR1 and AR1 both assume the SSS position.

No CCC for this EAR1 (compare with the position adopted by EAR1 in the England and Italy penalty shootout).

Although Referee Cakir is not positioned according to the recommended Guidelines, it is still a very good position considering the fact that he now has two match officials (EAR1 and AR1) on the goal line. Referee Cakir's position allows him to simultaneously see both the penalty-taker and the goalkeeper, particularly when it is now important that the penalty-taker cannot feint once the run-up to the ball is completed. Cakir has used his common sense (compare this with the AR2 during the penalty shootout in the England and Italy match (see EARs Up Down Up Down).
Perhaps the recommended Guidelines for the Referee's position during penalty kicks from the mark should be amended?

Related Post: See Lionel Messi penalty mess-up here

EARs Up Down Up Down

The following incidents occurred during the Euro 2012 quarterfinal match between England and Italy on Sunday 24 June 2012. The match finished 0—0, with Italy progressing following a 4—2 penalty shootout. There were 2 YCs.

Note: Referee Pedro Proença prefers to catch his coin during the coin toss (just like Howard Webb here), rather than bend over (for example, Damir Skomina here)
[No pic, sorry]


EAR Up and Down and Up and Down
In the 52' Italy's Daniele De Rossi (blue) takes a long-range shot which is saved by England's Joe Hart (red). This is followed by Italy's No 9 Mario Balotelli (blue) taking a shot, which is again saved by Hart. Next, Riccardo Montolivo (blue 18) follows up with a right-footed shot that goes over the crossbar. While all this is happening, EAR1 Manuel De Sousa is in the Classic Cowboy Crouch (CCC) and bobbing up and down and up and down. Here are the freeze frames:

EARs give out funny impressions when all they wish is to give the impression that they are watching the goal line closely

AR1 Good Offside Call
In the 115' the match officials were still well focused on the game. AR1 Bertino Miranda makes a good offside call. The ball is crossed by Italy's Alessandro Diamanti (blue) and Antonio Nocerino is flagged offside by AR1.

As the ball is crossed, Italy's Nocerino is in an offside position

The goal is correctly disallowed. Notice EAR1 up and down.

Which is Best? CCC or SSS?
In an earlier post (see here), I asked the question about the best way for an assistant to stand when watching for the whole of the ball to cross the goal line. Should it be the Classic Cowboy Crouch (CCC) or the Straight Soldier's Stance (SSS)? The England and Italy penalty shootout revealed the answer … kinda … I guess.

Penalty Shootout
Initially, EAR1 De Sousa doesn't seem to know which way to stand (CCC or SSS?) and therefore makes a lot of movement leading up to the first penalty kick by Italy's Mario Balotelli.

Down

Up

Down

EAR1 (left of goal) Down, Up, Down 

Here's the second penalty taken by England's Steven Gerrard. Again, there is a lot of movement by EAR1.

Up

Down

Up

EAR1 (left of goal) Up, Down, Up

Perhaps the fifth penalty taken by Italy's Andrea Pirlo (which was a quality shot stroked delicately down the middle of the goal) also clearly shows EAR1 "assuming the position", i.e. the CCC.

EAR1's CCC is not a particularly pretty or dignified sight

Question: I would really like to know what AR1 Miranda is thinking as he looks along the goal line and sees EAR1 De Sousa bobbing up and down and up and making lots of movement during the penalty kick!!


Remember, during the shootout the other match officials are helping to manage players on the halfway line.

EAR2 Duarte Gomes doing some work and standing next to players.

AR2 Ricardo Santos standing at the top of the centre circle and in front of the players and perhaps obscuring a little of the view

Although AR2 Santos is following the guidelines in the LOTG and standing at the top of the centre circle, a little common sense could be used. For instance, if AR2 wishes to avoid obscuring the view of the players standing at halfway and to avoid being too aloof from the players (compared with the closeness of EAR2 who is standing with players at the halfway line), then it would have been better for him to stand at the halfway line too. This is where I believe a little common sense would be much appreciated, especially by all the tensed-up players who have to stare past the back of the AR2 to see the unfolding drama at the goalmouth.


SUMMARY
Because of the lack of guidelines for EARs, it is not surprising that there is little consistency amongst EARs. They are "making it up as they go along". This is why we see some strange and comical impressions of EARs, which in some ways is very sad because the professionalism, and the image, of the match officials has been compromised. Added to that, the long list of performance errors and poor assistance by EARs (highlighted by EAR1 István Vad missing Ukraine's goal against England) reveals the overall ineffectiveness of EARs.

UEFA president Michel Platini—and perhaps by default Pierluigi Collina the UEFA Chief Refereeing Officer—supports the use of EARs and opposes the introduction of goal-line technology. How bizarre!

One final thought. Having mentioned the lack of guidelines for EARs and the inconsistencies it creates, it is ironic that I have also mentioned the fact that even though there are guidelines for ARs on where to stand during penalty kicks from the mark, I am advising that there is a need for a little common sense about this guideline. It makes no sense for an AR to stand in a position that blocks the view of the players who are made to stand at the halfway line behind the AR.


The match officials were:
Referee: Pedro Proença (POR)
Assistant referees: Bertino Miranda (POR), Ricardo Santos (POR)
Fourth official: Cüneyt Çakır (TUR)
Additional assistant referees: Manuel De Sousa (POR), Duarte Gomes (POR)