Rational Ref: In search of the 'spirit' of the game of soccer

In search of the 'spirit' of the game of soccer

Authorities often talk of the 'spirit' soccer should be played in, but refuse to define it, leaving the game vulnerable to cheats

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Hong Kong Football Association chief executive Mark Sutcliffe. Photo: Felix Wong

Exactly what is the "spirit" that is expected of players and coaches in the beautiful game? How do players and coaches understand and apply the "spirit of the game"? And, more importantly, how should referees interpret this?

These are important questions for Hong Kong because for the coming soccer season and beyond, the Hong Kong Football Association has asked players, team officials and match officials to sign a "rules of conduct" document, which previously was available only in Chinese.

According to HKFA chief executive Mark Sutcliffe, the document has been translated for the first time into English as part of the association's commitment to become more bilingual. The document is important and will further develop into one based on Fifa's "code of conduct" to help fight match manipulation. Any player, coach or referee who refuses to sign the document will be barred from HKFA activities.

The first sentence of the English version states: "Players and team/match officials shall at all time [sic] play football in the spirit of the game."

Strangely, there is no official definition of "spirit of the game" available from Fifa or other bodies. It is simply assumed that soccer lovers intrinsically know what this spirit is. Therefore, the statement could mean all manner of things to all manner of people in all manner of situations.

The humour website Urban Dictionary states: "The spirit of the game is defined by the intended rules as perceived in reflection to the other rules. This most comes into [play] when the action in question is not governed by a set rule. In this case, you are bound to play by the spirit of the game."

It uses the board game Monopoly as an example.
"If after a considerable number of turns have been taken by each player, and one player gets into trouble and debt, instead of losing and congratulating the winner, he proposes to 'join forces' with another player - sharing money, property, and victory. Though this joining has no rules set against it, this is against the spirit of the game, though not implicitly stated. To join forces to tip the game in your favour is against the spirit of the game."

In this sense, the idea of not being able to accept defeat graciously, and instead attempting to manipulate the game in one's favour, is considered to be against the spirit of the game. This sounds very much like being a bad loser and trying to win at all costs.

How often do we see players, coaches and supporters behave like this? And how frequently do we see teams attempt to manipulate the game in their favour or to blame match officials for the result?

One example where an action is not governed by a set rule, but is bound by the spirit of the game, is when players deliberately stop the game so an injured player may receive treatment. When play resumes, players and supporters clap in appreciation of this gesture. From Rational Ref's perspective, the clapping is usually insincere, mechanical and superficial.

Consider further when a goalkeeper has the ball in his hands and an opposition player is down injured. The goalkeeper will throw the ball out so the injured player can receive treatment. Usually, the player is not seriously injured, probably the reason the referee did not stop the game in the first place.

Players who put the ball out of play take the risk of being duped. Nevertheless, after the injured player has been dealt with, his teammates will usually return the ball. Now depending on different people's interpretation of "spirit of the game", the way the ball is returned can take on different forms. Since the goalkeeper previously had the ball in his hands, it would be fair to return the ball directly to him; but this rarely happens. It is more common for the team to put the ball out over the goal line to force a goal kick.

Do players perceive a goal kick, rather than the goalkeeper kicking the ball out from his hands, to be more or less favourable? Occasionally, a team will return the ball over the touch-line and close to the corner flag for a throw-in. Are these actions - which are clearly not reciprocal - in keeping with the spirit of the game?

Moreover, is the fact that a player who pretends to be injured and therefore dupes his opponents into wasting time considered to be acting against the spirit of the game? Or is it in keeping with the spirit because it is better to be safe than sorry after receiving a knock? Without a proper definition from the authorities, these situations are both justified and vilified.

During tough competitive matches we rarely see the spirit of the game because teams go out to win, and not to make friends. Even the handful of pre-season matches being played this week in Hong Kong by the four visiting English Premier League teams (Manchester City, Tottenham Hotspur, Sunderland and Manchester United) and HKFA Division One teams (South China and Kitchee) will be far from "friendly".

Considering there is no official definition of the spirit of the game, it is extraordinary how match officials throughout the decades have done their level best to ensure that matches are played fairly, safely and in an enjoyable manner that is in keeping with the "spirit of the game" … whatever that is supposed to be.

It is simply a fuzzy, hazy and unclear concept that is used to instil a sense of sporting behaviour and respect in the game.

Agree or disagree? Contact Rational Ref at rationalref@gmail.com

 

This article appeared in the South China Morning Post print edition as In search of the 'spirit' of the game

PUBLISHED : Friday, 26 July, 2013

Rational Ref: Genuine refereeing howlers are unforgivable

Genuine refereeing howlers are unforgivable, but it's important to know the difference

Errors in applying the laws of the game should be punished

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Referees are judged harshly, especially when they make a wrong call, but it's important to recognise when the referee is genuinely at fault. Photo: AFP

 

Not all refereeing mistakes are equal; some are more equal than others. So can soccer lovers distinguish between honest mistakes and the inexcusable?

Many howlers such as incorrect handballs, offsides and penalties occur naturally as a consequence of human error, but unfortunately they obtain huge media exposure when in the English Premier League. If we cut through all the noise, vitriol and bias, many of these decisions are forgivable and only a handful are indefensible.

The unacceptable was Jan Vertonghen being adjudged offside when the Tottenham Hotspur defender should have been celebrating his second goal against Sunderland during the final seconds of the match.  

Replays clearly showed Jan Vertonghen to be inside his own half as he ran clear to score a disallowed goal

Offsides are straightforward black-and-white judgment calls and assistant referees get them more right than wrong. These are genuinely honest mistakes, although referee assessors will still give ARs poor marks for judging them wrong.

However, the decision against Vertonghen was not a judgment call. Technically, it was an error in law, and referees know this is the worst kind of mistake they can commit.

 

Technical errors that involve incorrect application of the laws is tantamount to being declared incompetent and unfit for purpose. Vertonghen was in his own half when the ball was played to him by his teammate. He cannot be in an offside position, no matter what else has occurred.

Assistant referee Stuart Burt should have been rooted at the halfway line because his main task is to keep in line with the second-last defender or the ball.

Since the Sunderland goalkeeper Costel Pantilimon had gone up for his team's corner, there was no second-last defender in Sunderland's half during Spurs' counterattack and obviously the ball was way behind the halfway line when it was passed to Vertonghen. At the halfway line, Burt would have realised he was facing a no-offside situation. We can only assume he panicked and flagged.

The most infamous error in law was the "three-card trick" by former EPL referee Graham Poll when he gave Croatia's Josip Simunic a hat-trick of cautions in the same match during the 2006 World Cup.
English referee Graham Poll made possibly the worst howler in World Cup history when he booked Croatia's Josip Simunic three times before sending him off at the 2006 World Cup. Photo: AP
Asia's top referee, Ravsham Irmatov, made an unbelievable blunder at the 2013 Confederations Cup when Italy played Brazil. During a corner kick, Italy forward Mario Balotelli was hauled down by a defender and Irmatov blew his whistle and pointed to the spot.

However, moments later the ball reached Italy's Giorgio Chiellini, who promptly scored. Unfathomably, Irmatov changed his mind and awarded the goal, which is a major error in law.
Although indefensible, confident referees are chastened by such harrowing experiences and return stronger.

Irmatov quickly bounced back at last year's World Cup to set the record for refereeing the most number of World Cup matches and this year became AFC Referee of the Year for the fifth time.

In contrast, errors of judgment are simply honest mistakes. Anthony Taylor's incorrect yellow card to Chelsea's Cesc Fabregas for diving is forgivable.


Although not an excuse, the speed of the game can make it difficult to judge incidents in real time because referees are not infallible. Referees do not sleep well at night knowing that they have made errors.

Errors aside, the real problem is that players, coaches and supporters have become stubbornly accustomed to complaining about every referee decision going against them, regardless of whether it is correct or not.

In last weekend's Hong Kong Premier League match between Tai Po and YFCMD, referee Cheng Oi-cho made a courageous and correct call when he awarded a penalty to YFCMD in the final minute of added time, when the score was 0-0. Tai Po players were incensed, but video replays (watch here at 49:30) undisputedly revealed their captain, Lui Chi-hing, had manhandled YFCMD's Mamadou Hady Barry to the ground.

 

At the final whistle, Tai Po players rounded on the referee. Li Ka-chun bodychecked the referee, Jing Teng clapped sarcastically, Sze Kin-wai hurled abuse and to cap it off the Tai Po coach rushed over and confronted the referee, too.

The fact that the referee made the correct decision is beside the point. Players and coaches, no matter what the circumstances, cannot abuse match officials.

Competition organisers must publicly support referees, and the HKFA must punish Tai Po in the strongest possible terms for their unacceptable behaviour.

Agree or disagree? Contact Rational Ref at rationalref@gmail.com

 

This article appeared in the South China Morning Post print edition as Howlers are unforgivable, but know the difference

PUBLISHED : Thursday, 29 January, 2015

Hong Kong Killer Pitch

Hong Kong played host to the Barclays Asia Trophy on Wednesday 24 July and Saturday 27 July. The three EPL teams were Manchester City, Tottenham Hotspur and Sunderland, with reigning local champions South China making up the quartet.

Sunderland coach Paolo Di Canio called the 40,000-seater Hong Kong Stadium a "killer pitch" due to its poor drainage during torrential downpours. Spurs boss Andre Villa-Boas was not happy because his team lost 1—3 to Sunderland plus his Belgian defender Jan Vertonghen twisted ankle ligaments on the sodden surface. Villa-Boas flew in his own head groundsman to help with the pitch conditions at Hong Kong Stadium (see story here).


Here are some photos of Hong Kong Stadium during the BAT pre-season tournament ...

 First day's first match (Sunderland vs Tottenham) and the pitch is getting cut up

 The pitch conditions worsen. Pic courtesy Getty Images.

Hong Kong groundstaff doing their best to keep dry from the rain and mud-free from the pitch. Pic courtesy Getty Images.

Second day's second match (Man City vs Sunderland) and Spurs' head groundsman flew in and advised laying sand in the muddy patches of the pitch

The match Referees for the BAT tournament were EPL referees Anthony Taylor and Neil Swarbrick, who were joined by Hong Kong Referee Liu Kwok Man.


Next up, just two days after the end of the BAT, Manchester United play Kitchee (local league runners-up) on Monday 29 July. United manager David Moyes attended the BAT on Saturday 27 July to inspect the pitch. Understandably, Moyes called off the planned open training session for Sunday 28 July, in the hope that the pitch would be "playable" on Monday (see story here).


References

Tottenham 6 South China 0

Manchester City 1 Sunderland 0

United Refuse To Train At 'Killer' Hong Kong Stadium

Violent Conduct by a 10-year-old Football Player in Hong Kong

Last weekend in a U12 football match in Hong Kong, a 10-year-old boy kicked his opponent in the head. The videoclip of the incident, plus other unfair challenges, went viral within days.

ESF player (blue 2) kicks his opponent (Kitchee white) straight in the face

The caption is written by the videoclip uploader.
IMHO, kids at that age should understand what is right and wrong.

Kitchee U12 v ESF U12 dirty tackles (YouTube)



The youth football community in Hong Kong is taking a long hard look at itself. In the past week there has been much written and blogged about this issue, and there will be more to come in the weeks ahead.

What is the root cause, and who is ultimately responsible?

In Hong Kong It Gets Worse Before It Gets Better

The promising career of a young Hong Kong football player has all but ended after the 20-year-old admitted to match fixing during an international friendly between hosts Hong Kong and Russia on 5 November 2011. The match finished 1—2.

20-year-old Iu Wai faces a life suspension from the game

Hong Kong has had its share of match-fixing cases, and this latest one follows on from a similar case that occurred two years ago (see Life Ban For Player Found Guilty of Match-Fixing in Hong Kong).

The above two cases involved corrupt players, however referees have been implicated and caught in match-fixing probes too. Thankfully, not in Hong Kong. Recently, referees from China (see China's Golden Whistle Admits Accepting US$44,000 Bribe) and from Niger (see Suspect Referee Performance: Nigeria v Argentina) faced credibility issues and have been investigated.

Notice in the Hong Kong corruption case that there is a lack of investigation (or lack of media reports) looking beyond the 20-year-old player. Obviously, there must be a mastermind or masterminds that set up such match fixing cases. Only the small fish have been caught.

Things will get worse before they get better because at present in Hong Kong there are moves afoot to open things up and to be more transparent. This is due to a new initiative codenamed Project Phoenix which aims to make significant changes in the management structure and future operations of Hong Kong Football. As with all 'shake ups', skeletons may fall out before things get better.


Reference

Bribes bid admitted by soccer player (SCMP; subscription required)

Iu Wai reverses earlier plea and says he tried to bribe teammates to fix a showpiece youth friendly against Russia at Mong Kok Stadium
Austin Chiu and Colleen Lee
Dec 17, 2011

A young Hong Kong soccer player yesterday admitted that he tried to bribe his teammates to fix a showpiece international friendly match, reversing an earlier plea of not guilty he made after his arrest.

Iu Wai, 20, an up-and-coming defender for Hong Kong Sapling Football Club who also turns out for Hong Kong's under-21 side, was remanded in custody after pleading guilty at Kowloon City Court to two counts of offering an advantage.

Iu was arrested when ICAC investigators staged an unprecedented raid on a friendly youth match between Hong Kong and Russia, attended by 5,000 spectators, at Mong Kok Stadium on November 5. The Russians won 2-1.

The Independent Commission Against Corruption raid was not only a blow to the already battered reputation of soccer in the city, but led to an important government public relations coup backfiring spectacularly.

The international match at the centre of the investigation was arranged in April during Russian President Dmitry Medvedev's visit to Hong Kong, when Chief Executive Donald Tsang Yam-kuen invited Russia's youth squad to play in the city, and initiated an exchange opportunity for young players.

Yesterday in court, Iu admitted that he approached teammate Chan Cham-hei, a defender, and Chiu Yu-ming, a goalkeeper, to throw the match in return for several tens of thousands of dollars. The two turned down his requests and called the ICAC.

Magistrate Peter Law Tak-chuen adjourned sentencing until December 30, pending a background report, detention centre report and training centre report on Iu.

The court heard that in November Iu was approached by a man, whom he referred to as "Ah Liu", in Shenzhen to bribe Hong Kong youth representative team players to fix the match.

Iu set out to lure Chan and Chiu during a four-day residential training camp days before the match.

Last year, Iu was arrested but not charged when mainlander Yu Yang was jailed for 10 months for trying to fix a First Division match between Happy Valley and Fourway Rangers.

Philip Lee Fai-lap, Sapling's team manager, said: "Iu is foolish to have made the mistake. His career as a football player has just started but it's likely that it's reaching the end."

Lee said Iu was likely to receive a life suspension from the game.

"But we have to appreciate kids do make mistakes. He is going to be punished by law. The next thing the club will do is to give him a helping hand." Lee said.

He said the club would remind its members to always stay clean and abide by the law, adding that the scandal had had a huge impact on the club's reputation.

The Hong Kong Football Association declined to comment.

Timothy Tong Hin-ming, the ICAC commissioner, said the commission completed the investigation and prosecution of Iu within a month of receiving the report.

In the first 11 months of this year, the ICAC received 31 bribery complaints regarding sport and recreational activities, compared with about 20 last year, Tong said on the sidelines of an ICAC seminar.

Hong Kong Scorpion Kick Makes Own Goal and Net Sensation

Another news item sees Hong Kong hitting the headlines again for all the wrong reasons. This time, netizens are promoting the Greatest Ever Own Goal (see here and here and here and Google search), and it comes from the top-tier of Hong Kong Football. Never mind that the facts are wrong.

All stories, for example in the Daily Mail, Daily Telegraph and YahooSports have the team facts back to front … rather like the own goal.

港甲最佳烏龍波法圖斯 Hong Kong Best Own Goal (close to half a million views already on YouTube)




To set the record straight, in the 80' league leaders Sun Hei (neon orange) were losing 3—0 to fifth-placed Citizen (purple) and were attacking down the right wing. Instead of taking in the incorrect description in the news reports, the following commentary makes more sense:

A Sun Hei winger (orange) crosses the ball into the Citizen penalty area, where Citizen captain Festus Baise (purple) connects with the ball 'scorpion style' and subsequently loops the ball over his own goalkeeper and into the goal.

That made the scoreline 3—1, and five minutes later Sun Hei scored another goal (this time using only their own players!). This set up a rather tense final five minutes of normal time plus stoppage time. I have to report that Citizen captain Festus Baise was up to his usual tricks again and did everything he could to run down the clock. In fact, he collapsed on the pitch with no other players near him twice. Yes, twice in 6 minutes and both times he delayed and disrupted play by asking to be stretchered off.

Citizen captain Festus Baise, a 31-year-old Nigerian, is no stranger to courting controversy. He is well known in Hong Kong for his timewasting and player theatrics (e.g. see here).

Nicky Butt Sees Red in Hong Kong

The following incident occurred during a Hong Kong league match between Kitchee and South China on Sunday 3 April 2011. The match finished 2—0.

Butt Off!

Serbian Mateja Kezman (red #38) should know better

In a highly-charged encounter between the two leading teams in Hong Kong, the winner of this crucial league match would top the table and, with three matches remaining to play, would be in pole position to become league champions. In total, there were 10 YCs and 2 RCs in the match.

In the 65', English midfielder Nicky Butt was sent off for violent conduct after he swung his right elbow at Kitchee's Spanish defender Ubay Luzardo Santana. You can just see Butt swing his elbow toward Ubay's face at 02:31 of the videoclip before it goes off screen.

YouTube link from scaawebtv2


What followed after is woeful and shows the lack of discipline and respect among football players to one another and to match officials in Hong Kong.

YouTube link from WaiKuenHo (part 1)

YouTube link from WaiKuenHo (part 2)

Admittedly, the match officials perhaps could have managed the mass confrontations better (e.g. see here). But nevertheless, there is no excuse for the disrespectful behaviour of both teams.

After the HKFA Disciplinary Task Force reviewed the sending off incident on 19 April (16 days post-match), Butt received a two-match ban (i.e. an immediate one-match ban plus an additional one-match ban).

However, it is perhaps a reflection of the power wielded by the big clubs in Hong Kong that disrespectful comments from South China chairman Steven Lo Kit-sing to the media about the match officials are allowed to go unpunished by the HKFA Disciplinary Task Force (e.g. see here). Also, here is a news article excerpt:

South China boss Steven Lo Kit-sing accused the referee of making unfair decisions, which led to his side's second defeat by Kitchee in the league this season.

"No one will invest in Hong Kong soccer if the refereeing standard is so terrible," said Lo. "The poor decisions provoked the players and as a result, the players failed to control their heads on the field and could not play their game."

Compare this with the EPL, where the FA handed Sir Alex Ferguson a five-match touchline ban plus a fine of £30,000 for his disrespectful comments about referee Martin Atkinson during the EPL encounter between Manchester United and Chelsea on 1 March 2011.** Here's what Ferguson said:

"You want a fair referee, or a strong referee anyway - and we didn't get that."

Here's another example where the FA took action against managers who made inflammatory post-match comments about referees.


** Considering the fact that Stephen Lo is reported to be paying both Nicky Butt and Mateja Kezman £30,000 each every week (see here), why not fine him for his comments? If the aim is to raise the standard of Hong Kong soccer, then everyone with a vested interest needs to pull together, buck up their ideas and improve as a whole. It is little use simply pumping money into clubs whilst simultaneously neglecting the development of match officials. If finances are limited at the HKFA, then why not impose fines? Subsequently, part of those finances may be put towards the development of match officials in Hong Kong. Then, everyone wins.

Life Ban For Player Found Guilty of Match-Fixing in Hong Kong

Towards the end of the 2009-2010 HKFA season, the ICAC (Hong Kong’s Independent Commission Against Corruption) investigated players from the mainland playing for Hong Kong First Division clubs who were believed to be involved in bribery and match-fixing.

The case revolved around proceedings that occurred just before the First Division league match between Fourway Rangers and Happy Valley on Saturday 3 October 2009. The match ended 2—0. At the end of the season, Happy Valley was relegated from the First Division.

The night before that particular match, Fourway Rangers defender Jean Jacques Kilama received a phone call from a mainland player playing for Happy Valley, suggesting that his team should lose the match. Kilama, a 27-year-old Cameroon-born player who has been a professional player for eight years in Cameroon, Romania and Indonesia (including the past three years in Hong Kong), declined.

Despite clearly saying “no”, Kilama was again approached, this time in person by the Happy Valley player, at 6am the next day. He asked Kilama how much he wanted in return for throwing the match. He again declined and later told his club superiors. Kilama’s club director advised him to go to the ICAC.

In May 2010, the ICAC arrested mainlander Yu Yang, 27 and charged Yu with one count of offering an advantage to an agent, contrary to the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance. The ICAC also arrested four other players who were released on bail pending further inquiries.

In June 2010, HKFA’s Disciplinary Task Force followed up on the bribery case. At their meeting held on 21 June 2010, they suspended Yu Yang for life (see below) and released their findings on 16 July 2010.


2009/10 21st Disciplinary Task Force Meeting (21 June 2010)
2010-07-16

According to the Certificate of Trial of Kowloon City Magistrates’ Courts and Press Release of ICAC on 20th May 2010, Mr. YU Yang, the player of Happy Valley Football club, earlier pleaded guilty to one count of offering an advantage to an agent, contrary to Section 9(2) of the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance. He was sentenced to 10 months' imprisonment at Kowloon City Magistracy for offering a bribe to another footballer for his assistance in fixing a match. He was subsequently also disciplinary charged by HKFA.

The Disciplinary Hearing was convened on 21 June 2010 where Happy Valley Football Club declined to send representative on behalf of Mr. YU Yang. Basing on the aforesaid information and after full consideration, the HKFA Disciplinary Task delivered the decision as follows:

1. The player, YU Yang of Happy Valley was found guilty of having violated provisions of HKFA Disciplinary Code 2009/10 (in breach of Chapter 4, Clause 3.1.22).

2. The accused, YU Yang was ordered to be suspended for life. YU Yang is not allowed to participate (including as a role of players or officials) in any matches or activities organized by HKFA.

3. The suspension would be made known to FIFA & AFC.

4. The above suspension would be effective at 12 noon, on 16 July 2010.

From time to time cases of [alleged] match-fixing have arisen in Hong Kong. For example in March 2009 during the 2008-2009 HKFA season, Hong Kong first division club Tuen Mun Progoal were leading Happy Valley 1—0 at half-time only to lose 1—5. Allegations of match-fixing arose after a Progoal player blogged that his mainland teammates had thrown the match for money.

Back in 1998, the ICAC arrested six players representing the Hong Kong team for taking bribes and fixing matches during qualification games for the 1998 World Cup.

From the perspective of match officials, there is nothing referees can do if players from one or both teams are involved in match-fixing—other than to perform their duties to the best of their abilities and apply the LOTG appropriately. All match officials must focus on their match at hand and perform their duties to the best of their abilities.

Unpleasant Incidents During Hong Kong Division Three Playoff Match

The following incidents occurred during the Sham Shui Po and Eastern division three playoff match on Sunday 25 April 2010.

The match (summary report here) pitted two skillful but contrasting teams against each other: One team Sham Shui Po was full of youth and energy, the other team Eastern full of experience and guile.


Mass confrontation. This incident shows how Eastern (blue) players lost control and helped incite mass confrontations. Keep an eye on the unruly behaviour of Ex-Hong Kong and Eastern winger Lee Kin Wo (blue #11).




Stamping incident. This incident shows how Eastern player (blue #18) deceptively and deliberately stamped on his Sham Shui Po opponent (yellow #24). There is no excuse for the reaction by yellow #24. Again, keep an eye on the disruptive behaviour of Ex-Hong Kong and Eastern winger Lee Kin Wo (blue #11).




Stamp Out Stamping

Emmanuel Adebayor Stamped And Kicked Robin Van Persie's Head

FA Hands Adebayor Three-match Ban For Stamp on van Persie

Belgian Player Gets 11-Match Ban For Shocking Horror Tackle

Stamping Incidents at AFC Champions League Match in Adelaide

Youth Triumphs Over Experience in Hong Kong Division Three Playoffs

Ten-man Sham Shui Po sealed promotion to Hong Kong’s second tier as winners of the third division playoffs by beating fashionable local side Eastern 2-1 on Sunday 25 April 2010.

The division three “B” (districts) league champions, composed mainly of players from Hong Kong’s national youth team, scored in the final seconds of an exhilarating match littered with ten yellow cards and one red.

Lau Cheuk Hin was the hero as he struck the match-winning goal for Sham Shui Po with a sweet left foot free kick from 25 yards that dipped and swerved into the goalkeeper’s bottom left corner.

Eastern, the division three “A” (clubs) league champions who last season came ninth out of thirteen teams in Hong Kong’s top flight before dropping down to division three this season due to financial pressures, were full of seasoned professionals but were eventually outclassed by youth and a skilful free kick.

The crunch match was passionate and competitive, if bad tempered, that boiled over at times. Five yellow cards were shown in the first half, which finished 1—0 to Sham Shui Po.

The second half continued in combustible fashion. Within 5 minutes of the restart tempers flared both on and off the pitch following a reckless tackle by Sham Shui Po player #2 on Eastern player #21. Ex-Hong Kong and Eastern winger Lee Kin Wo #11 and team captain Au Wai Lun #7 led the protests, and a mass confrontation ensued that served only to increase the hostile attitude between the two sides. Eastern players were insisting that the referee issue a card to the Sham Shui Po player, who was lying injured on the ground along with their injured teammate.

To be fair, due to the rules the referee had to wait for the player to get back on his feet before issuing a caution. This delay in showing the yellow card and the players’ lack of understanding of the rules sparked Eastern players and their supporters into the angry mass confrontation. Eventually the referee awarded a yellow card to Sham Shui Po player #2 and play continued.

A few minutes later, the referee sent off young Sham Shui Po forward Yeung Chun Kiu #24 for kicking out at Eastern player Sit Fai Lung #18. Sit, who was fortunate to escape punishment for his gamesmanship, used all his wily experience as a player in Hong Kong’s top division to stamp on Yeung without being detected by the referee. This is why the young forward retaliated.

Having reduced their opponents to ten men, Eastern exploited their numerical advantage and equalized in the 57th minute. Eastern continued to press for the winner while Sham Shui Po was content to soak up the pressure with the knowledge that a draw was enough for them to win the playoffs.

However, Sham Shui Po managed to finish off the match in style from a free kick in the final minute. The atmosphere in Happy Valley was buzzing as the core of Hong Kong’s national youth team celebrated the winning goal in front of local fans who were mostly present to support the more well-known Eastern team.

Sham Shui Po will be playing division two football next season. Eastern, although beaten and demoralized, will also join Sham Shui Po after finishing second on goal difference in the four-team division three playoffs.

Football fans can expect further fireworks when these two teams meet next season.

[Final standings of the 3rd Division League Playoffs]

Video Match highlights to follow

AFC Cup 2010 South China v Persiwa Wamena

The following incidents of unsporting behaviour occurred during the AFC Cup group stage match between South China (Hong Kong) v Persiwa Wamena (Indonesia) on Tuesday 23 March 2010 at Siu Sai Wan stadium in Hong Kong. The attendance was 2,393 and the final score was 6—3.


23 Mar 2010 AFC Cup Simulation




Simulation is unsporting behaviour
In the 50th minute, South China player (red #9, Lee Wai Lim) controls the ball ahead of the Persiwa Wamena player (green) to put himself in an attacking position. A big hint for referees is that red #9 goes down too easily. The player could have stayed on his feet to either shoot at goal from a tight angle or place the ball across the face of goal for his teammate to tap in. But instead, he chose to fall over.

There is little need for unsporting behaviour, particularly at this stage of the match when South China is already 5—1 ahead.

When the Referee showed the yellow card, red #9 actually smiles sheepishly and hangs his head in shame because he knew he was caught cheating. Restart was an IFK to the defending team.


23 Mar 2010 AFC Cup GK shocking tackle Penalty




Goalkeeper’s shocking tackle
In the 70th minute, the South China goalkeeper (blue #17, Ho Kwok Chuen) makes a shockingly dangerous two-footed tackle on Persiwa Wamena player (green #50). He launches himself using his right foot, goes over the ball with his left foot, and then his whole weight appears to land on his right foot. This is probably the reason why he could not get up when he put his weight on his right foot. He clearly injured himself, and after receiving lengthy treatment was carried off the pitch on a stretcher.
Note: Players are not allowed to receive treatment on the field of play. But exceptions apply when:
• a goalkeeper is injured
• a goalkeeper and an outfield player have collided and need immediate attention
• a severe injury has occurred (e.g. swallowed tongue, concussion, broken leg)

In similar situations goalkeepers would normally dive for the ball using their hands. Instead, this goalkeeper made a shocking tackle leading with his feet. Therefore a hint for referees is the aggressive nature of the South China goalkeeper’s challenge.

The Referee correctly awarded a penalty. In the match report, it was recorded that the Referee cautioned the GK. However, during the match the Referee did not show the yellow card to the GK on the field of play probably because the injured keeper could not stand up and was carried off on a stretcher. The challenge by the GK was at least a yellow card offence and perhaps could have been a red card. Restart was a penalty kick to the attacking team.


23 Mar 2010 AFC Cup Playacting Theatrics




Playacting is unsporting behaviour
In the 80th minute, Persiwa Wamena player (green #10, Edison Pieter Rumaropen) makes a meal out of an incident where there is little chance that he would be awarded a free kick or penalty. A big hint for referees is that the player moves to-and-fro (at least a dozen times), when surely if it was a serious injury the player would remain still (see also Player Theatrics by HKRef).

About 30 seconds after restart, green #10 is seen running up the touch line and re-enters the field of play near the halfway line. Perhaps the Referee should have cautioned the player for unsporting behaviour.

Match Report
South China 6-3 Persiwa Wamena (AFC news)

Tuesday, 23 March 2010 22:27

Hong Kong: Brazilian strike duo Tales Schutz and Leo each grabbed a brace as South China revived their AFC Cup Group G campaign with a thrilling 6-3 comeback win over Indonesia’s Persiwa Wamena at Siu Sai Wan Sports Ground on Tuesday.

After picking up just one point from their opening two games last year’s semi-finalists were behind after just six minutes as Pieter Rumaropen struck for Persiwa.

But a quick-fire brace from the returning Schutz turned the contest in South China’s favour before Leo (Leonardo Ferreira da Silva) and Kwok Kin Pong added to the lead before half-time.

Leo extended the advantage just after half-time and after Albertho Mambrasar and Lewis Weeks netted for Persiwa, Lee Wai Lim sealed the win in stoppage time.

After South China captain Chan Wai Ho wasted a glorious chance after just three minutes the visitors opened the scoring as a punch from South China goalkeeper Ho Kwok Chuen fell to Rumaropen on the edge of the area and the midfielder lifted the ball over the stranded custodian.

But South China were back on level terms after eight minutes when Schutz beat Persiwa goalkeeper Timotius Mote with a deft flick at the front post.

Mote only just turned Li Haiqiang’s long-range swerving free-kick onto the post after 11 minutes as the frantic start continued with end-to-end action.

And after 21 minutes South China completed the comeback as Schutz muscled his way through a crowd inside the area to send a stooping header past Mote from Li’s superb whipped in free-kick.

With several Persiwa attacks being halted by the off-side flag, Leo capitalised on the visitors’ inability to clear their penalty area 11 minutes later to fire a low shot across Mote and into the bottom corner to double the lead.

And just three minutes later Kwok raced into the area unmarked to head home Lee Wai Lun’s left wing cross to complete the emphatic comeback.

With just over a minute on the clock after the break Leo charged down an attempted clearance to race clear and skip round substitute goalkeeper Andre before rolling in his second into the empty net.

Leo was denied a hat-trick by Andre four minutes later before Mambrasar volleyed home from inside the area to give Persiwa faint hope six minutes before the hour mark.

And the visitors pulled another goal back with 15 minutes remaining as Weeks beat substitute goalkeeper Zhang Chunhui from the penalty spot after Ho was injured in bringing down Rumaropen.

But the visitors were unable to build on their quick-fire double and suffered a second defeat of the competition as Lee’s late header capped an enthralling contest.

Players’ Theatrics

The following occurred during a Division One league match between Citizen and Fourway Rangers on Thursday 18 March 2010 at Kowloon Bay Sports Ground. The attendance was 159.


Citizen Player Playacting




Citizen player (green #7) makes a meal out of being fouled. Observe how he rolls around (about a dozen times, no less) while holding on to his left knee as if for dear life!

One would think that in the event of a serious injury, it would be best to remain still since further movement to the injured area may worsen the damage. For referees, this is a big hint that the player is overreacting. Spectators (all 159 of them!) were just laughing at the player’s over-the-top theatrics. Observe how the player refuses the stretcher, then bends at the waist to check both his lower legs (and not his left knee), and then walk off the pitch. Exactly 20 seconds later, green #7 is running actively up the touch line and re-enters the pitch at the halfway line as though he was a fresh substitute running onto the pitch!

The Citizen player #7 is Festus Baise and he is the team captain.


Citizen Goal Celebration Theatrics




He scores, he dances! Citizen player (#30) is Jose Wellington Bento Dos Santos who scored the match's first goal. The match finished a 1—1 draw.

Football Association in Hong Kong Advised to Reform

The government has released a consultancy report about the future of football in Hong Kong, citing several key recommendations.

These include that the Hong Kong Football Association should reform its governance and make its decision-making processes more transparent; improve the level of professional expertise and experience in its secretariat; develop junior and district soccer; form a professional league; and strengthen the Hong Kong representative teams at different levels.

No doubt, the consultancy report's recommendations will also affect referees in Hong Kong. HKRef and other referees here await to see what the implications will be.


HK soccer must change or die, say legislators (South China Morning Post)

Chan Kin-wa
Mar 18, 2010

There will be no future for soccer if the Hong Kong Football Association refuses to implement changes proposed in a consultancy study, legislators said yesterday.

Members of the Legislative Council's home affairs panel are concerned about the association's willingness to make the recommended changes to save the sport.

"I know the association needs a 75 per cent majority [from its 55 member clubs] if they want to implement changes in accordance with the many recommendations put forward by the study," lawmaker Cheung Man-kwong said.

"But even the government's constitutional changes require only a two-thirds majority of this council and you know how difficult the soccer reform will be, especially as it involves a lot of vested interests by various parties.

"But since the government is using a lot of manpower and resources in the reform, there is hope. The fans love Hong Kong soccer but they do not want any more disappointments, otherwise they will never turn up at local matches and instead watch the Premier League or La Liga."

The report, which was released by the government last week, says the football association has to agree to a reform process so the restructured body will decide on the constitution, governance structure and organisation that will best serve the sport. It must improve the level of professional expertise and experience in its secretariat.

The study also makes several recommendations, including setting up a professional league, developing junior and district soccer, providing facilities including a six-pitch training centre at a Tseung Kwan O landfill site and strengthening the Hong Kong representative teams at different levels.

But it was governance of the association's board and its transparency in decision making that dominated the panel's discussion.

One lawmaker, Peter Cheung Kwok-che, said that if the association failed to bring in changes, the administration should help set up another body to replace it.

"The FA will have the main role in making the reforms but if they cannot take on the responsibility, the government should set up another organisation independent of the FA to carry out the recommendations," Cheung said.

Secretary for Home Affairs Tsang Tak-sing said that was a hypothetical situation and cited an example in the study that Fifa, the controlling body for world soccer, would come down hard on any government intervention. He said earlier that the association would need HK$75 million to HK$100 million over the next five years to implement the changes, but refused to say if the government would foot the entire bill.

"The funding may not come solely from the government. If the sport can grow steadily, it will be able to attract support from the commercial field and the community. Soccer is big business in many other parts of the world and it may soon be the same in Hong Kong," he said.

Association chairman Brian Leung Hung-tak assured the panel he would use all his powers to persuade member clubs to implement the changes. "We know we are in a critical situation and if we don't reform the organisation, soccer in Hong Kong cannot survive," he said.

"As the chairman, I asked the government two years ago to engage in a consultancy study to save the sport and there is no point in not following the recommendations. The 75 per cent majority for making reforms is a big obstacle but if we are all here for the best interests of the sport, we can overcome it.

"The report only outlines the principles of the reform but not the details, such as how to change the board's composition and its decision-making process.

"We will have to sit down with the government next week to work out all the details with a workable timetable so I can take them back to member clubs for discussion before the changes are to be implemented. If the clubs agree, we have to call a general meeting to endorse these changes."

There are 55 FA-affiliated clubs, including teams in the first, second and third divisions and three accredited members.

It is believed Leung already has the backing of more than half the clubs.

Leslie Santos, a former Hong Kong soccer star, who attended yesterday's meeting along with other retired players, said the association should grab the opportunity.

"We all know there have been different factions within the FA with their vested interests," said Santos, who now runs a school for the development of junior players. "It's time for change and to work together for the betterment of the sport. If we miss this chance, we may never get another one."

HKFC v Tuen Mun: Penalty Shout

The following occurred during a Hong Kong Division Two top-of-the-table league clash between Hong Kong Football Club and Tuen Mun on Saturday 6 March 2010.

With the match evenly poised in the opening stages, a penalty decision (as seen by these 5 freeze frames) could have decided the conclusion of the match earlier.

[Tuen Mun goalkeeper (black) mistimes his tackle and clips the left foot of HKFC forward (white)]

[Since no foul was given, restart should have been a goal kick not a corner kick OR if the referee believed there was simulation then a caution to HKFC player and an indirect free kick to Tuen Mun should have been awarded]

Match highlights can be seen here: HKFC vs Tuen Mun




The match finished 3—1. HKFC are now in pole position leading up to the final league matches in Division Two.

Two Good Calls: South China v Sun Hei

The following occurred during the Division One league match between South China and Sun Hei on Tuesday 2 February 2010 at Hong Kong Stadium. Attendance was 1,557.

The score is 2-1 in South China’s favour, but Sun Hei are in the ascendancy. Having gone 2-0 down in the first half, Sun Hei started the second half brightly and missed several good opportunities until they made it 2-1. Sun Hei continued to press, as the following video clip shows:

2 Feb 2010 Hong Kong South China v Sun Hei Two Good Calls




For Sun Hei's second goal (at 1:35), the AR correctly spotted that the ball had crossed the goal line between the posts and under the crossbar. HKRef can see good teamwork and good officiating.


At 2:27, the Referee cautions South China forward (#33 Leonardo) for kicking the ball after the whistle has been blown for offside. The Referee nicely but firmly shows the yellow card; this is good officiating.

At 2-2, the match is nicely poised for an entertaining final 20 minutes. But a penalty decision in the 77th minute is as good as it gets.

Penalty: South China v Sun Hei

The following occurred towards the end of the Division One league match between South China and Sun Hei on Tuesday 2 February 2010 at Hong Kong Stadium. Attendance was 1,557.

In the 77th minute, a penalty was awarded to South China as their striker #7 Chan Siu Ki was brought down. Initially, it appears that Sun Hei defender (#12) makes the foul. Here is the official match camera clip, courtesy of SCAAwebtv (the foul is seen at 0:30):

News:2009-2010年香港甲組足球聯賽南華體育會對晨曦(02/02/2010)




However, by looking at a different camera view, it appears more likely that the Sun Hei midfielder (#14) tracking back is the guilty party. Sun Hei players then start to argue to the Referee that the foul occurred outside the penalty area. The Referee stands firm. Here is the unofficial match camera clip:

2 Feb 2010 Hong Kong South China v Sun Hei Penalty




In the end, the penalty was the match winner in what was an exciting match between current 1st placed South China and 5th placed Sun Hei (who notably beat South China 3-1 earlier in the season on Sunday 22 November 2009).

South China Claim 2010 Senior Shield

Congratulations to South China for winning the Canbo Senior Shield during the final between Kitchee and South China on Saturday 30 January 2010 at Siu Sai Wan Stadium. Attendance was 2,760 and the final score was 2-4.

GOALS
Kitchee : Liang, Zicheng 24', Baruc Nsue Burrcet 53'
South China : Schutz, Tales 68', Ferreira Da Silva, Leonardo 69', Chan, Siu Ki 79', Ferreira Da Silva, Leonardo 90'

YELLOW CARDS
Kitchee : Liang, Zicheng 56'
South China : Chan, Siu Ki 57', Sidrailson, da Mata Ribeiro 70'


Interestingly, there were no red cards although there were two incidents that may have warranted them.

In the 32nd minute during a free kick, Kitchee defender Ubay Luzardo Santana (#5) was holding South China forward Leonardo Ferreira Da Silva (#33). Leonardo retaliated by elbowing Santana in the chin. After consulting with the AR, the Referee gave a public warning to both players. [HKRef believes Leonardo was fortunate to escape being awarded a red card for violent conduct.]

In the 74th minute (with the match delicately poised at 2-2), a long ball from the Kitchee half led to a breakaway opportunity. Kitchee captain Lo Kwan Yee (#12) raced towards the South China goal in a one-on-one situation with the goalkeeper. The South China goalkeeper Zhang Chun-hui (#23) came out of the penalty area and fouled Lo. The Referee gave a goal kick. [HKRef believes Zhang was fortunate to escape being awarded a red card for denying an obvious goal scoring opportunity to an opponent.]


Here’s how the South China Morning Post reported the match:
South China fight back to lift Shield

Chan Kin-wa
Jan 31, 2010

Unstoppable Chan Siu-ki helped South China stage a thrilling rally from two goals down to beat Kitchee 4-2 and lift the Canbo Senior Shield at Siu Sai Wan Sports Ground yesterday.

Playing in front of 2,700 spectators, the Caroliners were on the brink of defeat in the first cup final of the season. But two goals within a minute by Tales Schutz and Leonardo da Silva midway through the second half revitalised their hopes, before Chan's wonderful half-volley from 14 metres put them into a 3-2 lead. Da Silva's second goal, in stoppage time, settled matters.

"It was a hard-earned victory, and I was thinking we might have to settle for second best when we were two goals down," said Chan. "But, thanks to the hard work of my teammates, we levelled the score and then got two more goals to lift the title. It was just amazing, like achieving the impossible."

While helping his club to the first title of the season, Chan also collected two individual honours as the striker swept both the top-scorer award, with four goals, as well as the award for the tournament's most valuable player.

"I can only say I am enjoying the best phase of my career and want to help the club in this year's AFC Cup and the Hong Kong team for the East Asian Championship," he said.

Chan said he knew both Japan and South Korea would send much stronger teams to the East Asian Championship than they did to the East Asian Games, in which Hong Kong beat both sides to clinch the gold medal. However, he said he had confidence in his teammates and believed they could win again.

"No one would have expected our results at the East Asian Games, and the same thing may happen at the East Asian Championship. Who knows?" he said.

South China players will form the bulk of the Hong Kong team as they challenge the three top powers of the region - South Korea, Japan and China - in the nine-day tournament, which kicks off in Tokyo next week.

Disappointed Kitchee captain Lo Kwan-yee said he hoped his teammates would recover soon from the defeat. "The result was difficult to take, as we were leading by two goals in the second half of a cup final. But our defence was caught off-guard with the two-goal cushion and allowed them to come back, which really should not happen," said Lo, who also questioned the refereeing. "I was brought down by South China goalkeeper Zhang Chunhui in the second half and it was definitely a red card for Zhang, but the referee gave no punishment for an obvious foul."

South China convenor Steven Lo Kit-sing refused to comment on the referee's performance. "We all know the general standard of referees in Hong Kong. They all have to improve and this is the job of the Football Association," said Lo. "We had a good match today, coming back from two goals down to beat Kitchee. The victory has given us more confidence."

Here are the highlights, courtesy of SCAAwebtv (the 'non-penalty decision' incident is seen at 4:00):

Two Public Warnings: South China v Tai Po

The following occurred at the end of the Division One league match between South China and NT Realty Wofoo Tai Po on Saturday 16 January 2010 at Hong Kong Stadium.

16 Jan 2010 South China v Tai Po 2 Public Warnings




A few minutes later (after the two cautions in the 90th minute) in injury time at the end of the 2nd half, there is a direct free kick to Tai Po. Two players are pushing each other in the goal area, so the Referee whistles and publicly warns them to stop. But pushing continues and the Referee again whistles and publicly warns them to stop. Normally, when these incidents occur consecutively early on in a match, cautions will be issued after the first public warning. However, the Referee understands that this free kick is the last action of the match and it would be pointless to issue cautions unless it is absolutely necessary (i.e. when there is obvious unsporting behaviour).

The Referee used common sense and HKRef believes this is optimum officiating.

Two Cautions: South China v Tai Po

The following occurred towards the end of the Division One league match between South China and NT Realty Wofoo Tai Po on Saturday 16 January 2010 at Hong Kong Stadium.

16 Jan 2010 South China v Tai Po 2 cautions




In the 90th minute, the Referee cautions Tai Po player (green #26) for a reckless tackle. Tai Po player (green #23) cannot control himself and is cautioned for dissent.