Referee Mark Clattenburg Back In Command Part 1 of 2

The following incidents occurred during the EPL match between Arsenal and Swansea on Saturday 1 December 2012. The match finished 0—2, with 1YC.

This was Referee Mark Clattenburg's first match back in the middle following his forced 4-week hiatus due to Chelsea's poor and pathetic allegation that he used racist and 'inappropriate language' to Chelsea players in November's match against Manchester United. Clattenburg produced a commanding performance.


Incident One: Foul Identification

In the 5', Clattenburg showed he was still sharp and up to speed with the EPL as he spotted a foul by Arsenal defender Thomas Vermaelen (red 5) on Swansea attacker Michu (white 9). Here are the freeze frames:

Referee Clattenburg had to see through some players from about 20 yards away

Whether this tackle is considered careless or reckless depends on the standard imposed by the match referee. We know the EPL is a physical league with many Referees permitting tough challenges. Furthermore, this challenge occurred in the 5' and many experienced defenders "test the water" in the opening minutes of a match with heavy tackles.


Incident Two: Clattenburg's Characteristic Cowboy Crouch

In the 14', Arsenal goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny pulls off a double save and the ball goes out for a corner. Here are some freeze frames:

Clattenburg has put himself in the standard position, and with his characterisic legs apart as if straddling a horse. This is perhaps related to his Classic Cowboy Crouch when he performs his duties as an EAR (extra AR).

Plus there is a potential pun about "Being put straight back on the saddle" that may be lost on Clattenburg's employers who unfortunately did not give the positive impression that they were supporting him in the face of, and subsequent failure of, Chelsea's racism charge.


Incident Three: Obstructing An Opponent

In the 51' Arsenal attacker Gervinho plays a quick one—two but is obstructed by Swansea defender Chico Flores. Here are the freeze frames:

Replays suggest it was a foul, but since Clattenburg was very close to the play he immediately put his hands behind his back to communicate to everyone that, in the opinion of the Referee, there was no foul.

The incident occurred outside the penalty area, so if a foul was awarded it would have been a DFK just outside the box.


Incident Four: No Penalty Call

In the 71', Clattenburg makes an excellent decision when Arsenal attacker Olivier Giroud is suddenly put through on goal. Swansea defender Chico Flores makes a last-gasp tackle. Here are the freeze frames:

Giroud has green-tipped boots and Flores has white-tipped boots, which helps reviewers and assessors when watching replays!

Clattenburg acknowledges his AR2, since there is clear communication between them. AR2 probably assisted by saying something like "no foul" or "no penalty".

Arsene Wenger thinks "penalty"

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger appears mortified that nothing (no penalty, no red card) was given. From his view from the technical area (far away and possibly without the proper angle), it may have looked as though it was a foul.

This was a great call, and will be further mentioned when this post resumes in Part 2 of Referee Mark Clattenburg Back In Command.

Welcome back Clatts!

Serious About Simulation?

The following incidents occurred during the EPL match between Wigan and Reading on Saturday 24 November 2012. The match finished 3—2. There were 2 YCs.


Incident One: Positioning at Free Kick

In 19', Referee Howard Webb awards a DFK and positions himself without actually seeing the DFK being taken. Here are the freeze frames:

Perhaps the final frame shows approximately where he should have positioned himself initially for the DFK!?


Incident Two: Penalty or Simulation?

In recent matches, Referees in the  EPL have been trying to clamp down on simulation which has resulted in several cautions already being awarded.
 
In 60', Reading's Jay Tabb (yellow 16) is the first to get to the loose ball in the penalty area and knocks it forward. He is then challenged by Wigan's Maynor Figueroa (blue/white 31) and falls to ground. Here are the freeze frames:

Referee Howard Webb makes no call. A penalty decision is not called. Simulation is not called. In this incident, the match Referee has to decide on one or the other. It is either a penalty or simulation.

Does Referee Webb have the angle? How about AR2 Darren Cann?

Note how Wigan's Jean  Beausejour (blue/white 22), who initially made the poor headed clearance waves his hand for an "imaginary card". Beausejour actually has the best angle of view and is very close to the incident. However, he is dishonest and unsporting and wants the Referee to caution Reading's Tabb.


Incident Three: Tight Offside

In the 67' the AR (who is not Mike Mullarkey) flags an offside against Wigan. Here's the freeze frame:

Was this offside?

Incident Four: What is an Own Goal?

In the 80', Reading's Hal Robson-Kanu (yellow 19) shoots at goal. The ball is deflected up and falls back down still heading towards goal, whereby Wigan goalkeeper Ali Al Habsi (grey 26) further deflects the ball into his own goal. Here are the freeze frames:

What constitutes an own goal? Should Robson-Kanu be credited with the goal since his shot was on target before the deflections?


Incident Five: No Simulation?

In the 90'+2' Reading (yellow) are attacking the Wigan goal, desperate for the winner (Reading have yet to win away from home). Here are the freeze frames:

Referee Webb waves his hand to motion the Reading (yellow) player to get back up. If it is clearly no foul, should Webb take any action against simulation? Is this consistent with how Webb handled Incident Two? If Webb clearly thinks there is no foul, then should he indicate this to the players?

Wigan (blue/white) immediately clear the ball from their penalty area. Here are the freeze frames:

Referee Howard Webb signals advantage as Wigan's Jordi Gomez skips past the Reading challenge

Wigan's Jordi Gomez scored the match winner (and bagged a hat-trick)

There is nothing wrong with Referee Webb's fitness. He has sprinted and positioned himself well following Wigan's quick counterattack.


Comment by Reading manager Brian McDermott:

"I think if the referee had given the penalty on Jay Tabb we would have gone on to win the game. Someone of Howard Webb's experience and quality, you would have expected him to get that one right."

HKRef would say the same for AR Darren Cann. If he knows Referee Howard Webb did not have the angle to see the incident, then perhaps he could have helped? Someone of AR Darren Cann's experience and quality ...