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.

Smarter Than The Average Player

IMHO, generally speaking match officials are a given here but the theme of this post is not about Referees but about players. So, who are the smart players?

They are the ones who take time to look at the Laws and then adapt with reference to them. When it comes to goal celebrations, Manchester City's Carlos Tevez leads the pack ...

 Tevez after scoring against Chelsea in the Community Shield

Tevez after scoring against Southampton

 Tevez after scoring against Liverpool

Sami Nasri after scoring against Southampton

Barcelona's David Villa after scoring against Real Sociedad

When it comes to goal celebrations without picking up silly cautions, Carlos Tevez shows he is clearly smarter than the average player.


BTW, I had been meaning to mention this incident:

This was the moment when Bayern Munich's Bastian Schweinsteiger scored the winning penalty in the shootout to advance to the 2012 Champions League Final against Chelsea. Referee Viktor Kassai (Hungary) did not caution Schweinsteiger; had he been shown a YC then the German international would have missed the Final.

The specific post was drafted in June but never published. I have now posted it so that it can be linked with this post should anyone wish to research or consider the mitigating details.



ACKNOWLEDGEMENT: The idea for this post about mandatory cautions for removing shirts during goal celebrations mostly came from the inspirational comments mentioned in Kicking Back.

Also, Kicking Back's statement that "FIFA, or the relevant competition authority should have the ability to correct decisions after the fact" is worth considering seriously. See an earlier related post about this called "The Reciprocal Appeal".

Multiple Motivations For South Korea Players To Win

Referee Ravshan Irmatov (red) took charge of the bronze medal match. AP photo.

There was some interesting incentives behind South Korea's 2—0 win over Japan at the Olympic Bronze Medal match on 10 August 2012. Perhaps this may have explained the unexpected result?

Motivation 1: to avoid 21 months of military service!

Motivation 2: to beat historical rivals Japan

Motivation 3: to gain a bronze medal

Granted, Japan also had Motivations 2 (i.e. historical rivals Korea) and 3, although they lacked Motivation 1.

Note: Will the South Korea player who displayed a political message after the win against Japan, and whose bronze medal has been withheld by the IOC, still be exempt from taking up military service?


Related Post  Political, Religious or Personal Statements


Reference

South Koreans celebrate military exemption

In overcoming rivals Japan for the bronze, Hong's men are free to skip joining the army for 21 months, enhancing their hopes of pursuing careers overseas
 SOCCER
Associated Press
Aug 12, 2012    

South Korea's players won bronze medals, but many admitted they were also celebrating a greater prize: the chance to skip military service.

Medal winners in South Korea are exempted from the 21 months of duty their fellow countrymen must do before they are 29 as their endeavours are seen as benefiting the country.

The 2-0 victory over Japan thus removed a major hurdle faced by many Korean footballers who hope to pursue a career in European leagues.

"I'm very happy to win the bronze medal and everybody here will now get a new chance by being exempted from military service", said striker Park Chu-young, who scored a stunning first goal. "That's what I'm really pleased about because that was our aim at the start of the tournament."

Kim Bok-yung, who has joined English Championship team Cardiff, said being able to skip military service "makes me as happy as winning the bronze medal."

"This is one of the happiest moments of my life," he said. "It is a big problem for Korean players, but now I have avoided it. I will have no problem staying in Europe."

Beating Japan was a motivation in itself for the players. The two countries are Asia's fiercest football rivals and duelling contenders for the title of the region's best team. Japan beat South Korea on the way to victory at last year's Asia Cup.

The bronze was South Korea's first football medal at the Games. Japan have also won a medal - also a bronze - in 1968, the last time an Asian team got an Olympic award.

When the final whistle blew, the players formed a circle in the middle of the pitch; some took their shirts off and traded them for Korean flags from the crowd. Coach Hong Myung-bo said he didn't dare go into the dressing room for 10 minutes after the match, such was the noise the team were making inside.

Japan, who looked tired in their semi-final defeat to Mexico just three days before, started the match brighter in front of 60,000 people at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium. South Korea showed signs of frustration, with three players booked in the first 35 minutes before Park's goal in the 38th changed things. The striker, who was a substitute in South Korea's 3-0 semi-final loss to Brazil and was almost not picked for the tournament, picked up a deflected clearance just inside his own half, ran past two retreating defenders and shot low past goalkeeper Shuichi Gonda.

Park signed for Arsenal last year, but has not made the first team. British media have reported he will be leaving the north London club before the new season begins this month. Asked about his future, he said "I don't really care about that at the moment. What I really need now is some rest and to enjoy this moment."

South Korea doubled their lead 10 minutes into the second half. After striker Yuki Otsu came close for Japan, keeper Jung Sung-ryong quickly kicked a ball upfield into the path of Koo Ja-cheol, who controlled with one touch then scored with his second. Gonda kept his side in the match minutes later, pushing a powerful shot from Kim onto the right post.

Japan made three changes in pursuit of a breakthrough, yet struggled against a well-drilled South Korea defence. Captain Maya Yoshida looked to have scored with a header in the 86th minute, but it was disallowed for a foul by Otsu on the goalkeeper.

Coach Hong, overseeing his last game for the under-23 side, said avoiding military service was a motivating factor, but noted the exemption was not only of individual benefit but "important for the future of the Korean football in general."

Referees' Preseason Belgium Style

The following is "Professionalism, Insight and Mentality" from the land of Belgium ... enjoy ...

No Whistle, No Game - Sporting Telenet (YouTube)





Website: http://www.sportingtelenet.be


The dissent demonstrated in this excellent and funny video was:

Thief! Amateur!
Are you wearing blinkers, you idiot?

This is what I kinda meant when I wrote:

Unfortunately, this [poor player behaviour] is what Referees and match officials in general have to put up with everywhere around the world.

Poor player behaviour, or dissent, exists everywhere around the world. It is up to Referees to curb dissent by consistently applying the Laws Of The Game, safe in the knowledge that their respective associations are supporting them.

Players' Behaviour Lacks Community Spirit

The following incident occurred during the Community Shield between Chelsea and Manchester City on Sunday 12 August 2012. The match finished 2—3, with 1 RC and 8 YCs.

In the 42', a loose ball is challenged by Chelsea's Branislav Ivanovic (blue 2) and fellow Serbian Aleksandar Kolarov (red 13) of Manchester City. Here are the freeze frames:

 

 

 

 

 

Here's the Referee's angle:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Referee Kevin Friend (black) has a good angle of the incident

What I find interesting is the way some players react and behave. Take a look at the disrespectful behaviour of Chelsea's Ramires (blue 7) who had a very similar view (and closer view) of the incident as Referee Kevin Friend. But Ramires' behaviour is obviously biased and not credible.

 

 

 

 

Chelsea's Ramires (blue 7) is constantly challenging and disrespecting the Referee

Ramires cannot accept the red card decision for his Chelsea team-mate. It is very likely that Ramires is not a trained referee and therefore does not understand the basics of foul challenges. 
(Note: perhaps another explanation may be found here at To Bias Is Human).

And then Juan Mata (blue 10) and Ashley Cole (blue 3) arrive on the scene to give a piece of their mind to the Referee too. These two Chelsea players (an attacker and a left back, respectively) probably didn't have a good view of the incident ... but that doesn't stop them from telling the Referee that they believe he is wrong!

Unfortunately, this is what Referees and match officials in general have to put up with everywhere around the world.

Welcome to the new season everyone and may you all have optimum officiating performances!