In-Swinger, Six of One and Half A Dozen of the Other

The following incident occurred during the EPL match between Chelsea and Liverpool on Remembrance Day 2012. The match finished 1—1, with 4YCs.

In the 73', Liverpool take a corner kick. Here are the freeze frames:

AR Darren Cann is in the standard recommended position, as is Referee Howard Webb. As soon as the in-swinging corner kick is taken, AR Cann quickly moves in line with the second-last defender to accurately judge whether Liverpool striker Luis Suarez is onside. A previous discussion about match officials being aware of in-swinging corners and tactics in general can be read here.


Chelsea boss Roberto Di Matteo was disappointed with Liverpool's equalizer claiming that Suarez (red 7) had pushed Chelsea midfielder Ramires (blue 7). Here are the freeze frames:

Both number 7 players are holding and pushing each other. The English media love to use the phrase, it was six of one and half a dozen of the other to say that both parties are equally responsible or equally guilty.

Amid the accusatory and acrid atmosphere generated mainly by Chelsea's ongoing disrespect for match officials due to results not going their way, the match officials of Howard Webb, Darren Cann and Mike Mullarkey—the 2010 World Cup Final trio—performed competently. A professional job done professionally.

Capital Reward for Australia's Top Referee

Congratulations to top referee Ben Williams and his ARs Luke Brennan and Paul Cetrangolo for their prime appointment to the 2012 AFC Champions League final between Ulsan Hyundai (South Korea) and Al Ahli (Saudi Arabia) on Saturday 10 November 2012 at the Munsu Football Stadium in Ulsan, Korea.

Referee Ben Williams. Pic from here.


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Why Lionel Messi Deserves 2012 FIFA Ballon D'Or

All things being equal (if this is actually possible) between Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi in 2012, there is one telling difference between these two magnificent players. 

The following incident is representative of the type of player Messi is, and shows his attitude towards playing the beautiful game in the right way. It occurred during the La Liga match between Barcelona and Celta Vigo on Saturday 3 November 2012. The match finished 3—1.

In the 38' Barcelona are leading 2—1. From a Barcelona long-ball clearance, Lionel Messi (#10) manages to put pressure on the second-last defender (blue #2). The defender subsequently failed to control the ball and then made a poor backpass, gifting Messi with an obvious goal scoring opportunity. Here are the freeze frames:

 Although Messi is fouled, he continues to play and breaks free to set up an obvious goal-scoring opportunity 

After 12 long seconds, the Referee finally comes into camera shot

Finally, after 20 seconds the one-man attack that is Lionel Messi is broken up ... as he is enveloped by 6 opponents

Celta Vigo's #2 was fortunate not to be sent off because Messi continued playing (and did not fall over easily). The #2 was also fortunate not to be cautioned by the Referee for his unsporting behaviour (probably because the Referee was so far behind play that he did not realise how serious the situation was). This also depends on what the AR communicated to the Referee. 

In similar situations, it is likely that Ronaldo would fall down easily, draw the free kick (or penalty), react with some theatre by complaining about being fouled, draw the red card for his opponent, and then take the free kick (or penalty). Is this the 'right' way to play the game?

As we have seen numerous times, Messi prefers to ride the challenges that come his way and just get on with playing. 

From the FIFA Ballon D'Or Shortlist

CRISTIANO RONALDO

2012 was yet another glorious year for the irrepressible Cristiano Ronaldo. With Portugal, he scored twice against the Netherlands and another against the Czech Republic to propel his side to the semi-finals of EURO 2012, while with Real Madrid, he won La Liga – scoring 46 goals along the way – and played a key role in their run to the Champions League semi-finals, where he scored twice in the second leg against Bayern Munich. Winner of the Ballon d’Or in 2008, he has again started this season as he means to go on, scoring the winner against Manchester City in the Champions League before claiming a hat-trick against Ajax. In domestic action, he also scored twice against Barcelona to become the first man to score at least one goal in six consecutive clásicos.

LIONEL MESSI

Even though Barcelona did not lift a major trophy in 2012 – the Copa del Rey aside – Lionel Messi continued to go from strength to strength, amassing goals and records along the way. His achievements in 2012 included becoming Barça’s all-time leading goalscorer in official matches when he scored his 233rd goal on 20 March, breaking the record for the number of UEFA Champions League goals in a single season (14) and, with his 72 goals in all competitions, he came close to breaking the record held by the legendary Pelé (75 goals). The three-time Ballon d’Or winner was no less impressive for Argentina either, helping them dominate the South American FIFA World Cup qualifiers.

If national coaches, captains and selected journalists (these are the ones who will be casting votes) cannot decide between the two best players of 2012 in Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, then maybe they should consider the attitude of these players toward playing the beautiful game. In this light, the 25-year-old Argentinian deserves the FIFA Ballon D'Or for the fourth time. The result will be announced on 7 January 2013.

NOTE: There is an excellent Referee anecdote called "A Mix-up With Maradona" in Bob Evans' and Ed Bellion's book The Art of Refereeing, which is related to how the great Maradona (and now Messi) dealt with being fouled all the time.  

References

Mourinho says it'd be a 'crime' if Messi wins Ballon d'Or again, claims Ronaldo born on Mars (ESPN Soccer)

Cristiano Ronaldo 'tired' of constant comparisons with Lionel Messi (The Guardian)

Which Offside?

With the media focused on "inappropriate and racist language" involving Chelsea players and referee Mark Clattenburg, this incident sticks with the football during the EPL match between Chelsea and Manchester United on Sunday 28 October 2012. The match finished 2—3. There were 5YC and 2 RC (one for R5, one for R7).

In the 75' with the score tied at 2—2 but with Chelsea (blue) down to 9 men, Man Utd (red) scored the winning goal. Here are the freeze frames:

Man Utd's Mexican Javier Hernandez (red) has come from an offside position to steer the ball into the goal

However, is there a case for an earlier offside just moments before? 

Is Hernandez (red) in an offside position?

Granted, it is extremely tight and one that is difficult for the AR to call. However, it is hoped that the top ARs are trained and focused enough to be able to make these tight calls, or at least get these calls more right than wrong.

Prior to the Chelsea and Man Utd big match was the 219th Merseyside as Everton hosted Liverpool earlier on the same day. The match finished 2—2. There were 7YC (remarkably, a caution for Everton captain Phil Neville for simulation … when all the pre-match focus was on Luis Suarez's reputation as a diver!).

In the 90'+4' Liverpool's Luis Suarez scores a goal, but it is disallowed for offside. Here are the freeze frames:

 

 

 

This is a very poor call by the AR. 

Suarez is denied the winning goal.

The Everton fan (top right) has just 'blown a kiss' to the AR for raising his flag. How much was the AR affected by the noise and pressure from the home side?

 

 

Suarez is clearly aggressive and intimidating in his 'questioning' of the AR. And Perhaps referee Andre Marriner could have helped get Suarez away. However, the AR's weak response and lack of confidence do not help matters.

NOTE: match officials are taught very early on in their careers to "sell their decisions". The AR should have improved his body language and maintained his confidence throughout. Only when he is back in the dressing room can he relax, rest and reflect on his performance.