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!

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)