Honest Mistakes 23/24: Disruption In The Force
The new season is underway in the unique environment of Scottish football.
With enlarged Champions’ League group stage football on offer for the SPFL winners, the pressure on Scotland’s parttime referees has never been greater.
Thankfully we have the calm, measured expert opinions of the Yorkshire Whistler to guide us through the big contentious issues. Indeed, he will likely enjoy the distraction of the Scottish football circus to take his mind of what will likely be a very difficult season for his beloved Sheffield Wednesday. The Blades are in the Premier League as well, so not much joy to be found for him in this season!
We will continue to focus on the likely “top two” but given early season form, if another challenger emerges then we will happily cover their games too.
The impact of big calls being incorrect can then be evaluated using the framework outlined here -> Honest Mistakes in the SPFL.
Before we start the following from the Yorkshire Whistler:
“So, another season begins and after the opening weekend’s SPL action, there are already some key match incidents worthy are review.
But before we get to the analysis, I just wanted to share some updated guidance around a technical focus area that we can expect to see being implemented at all levels of the game:
Time Delays – The situation is getting worse in terms of time-wasting practices and there is now a big push from the top down to increase playing time on match day. Unfortunately, time delay tactics have become an acceptable part of the game. I’m sure we’ll agree its unsporting, unfair and most situations conscious & deliberate.
Referees are now being requested to be less lenient in these situations to curb further frustration or misconduct arising from these tactics. Football now wants stronger action taken.
As result we can expect to see significantly longer periods of stoppage time played and more cautions given for delaying the restart of play/unsporting behaviour.”
05/08/23 Celtic vs Ross County
Incident 1
Referee Nick Walsh Game Minute 14th Score At Time 0-0
Incident Murray goes down in box after mistake by Hart Outcome No decision Evidence (5) Celtic 4-2 Ross County | Bhoys Score Four In Season Opener | cinch Premiership - YouTube
At 1:04
Yorkshire Whistler Verdict Murray goes down in the box after a mistake by Hart
Initial on field decision: No foul committed
Hart is slow to react to an awkward pass back, tries a touch too many and Murray nips in to try and steal the ball. Hart’s left leg extends to try and clear the ball but Murray’s contact sees him break with the ball first. He is off balance from the challenge and then falls to the floor, before spinning to see if the referee awards the penalty kick.
Not a clear-cut decision as I would say that Hart makes a genuine attempt to play the ball and Murray does not help himself by theatrically falling to the ground, only once he realises he won’t reach the ball after all.
Not all contact must result in a free kick/penalty and in the context of this incident, I would say the referee has made a judgement call which is not clearly and obviously wrong. Yes, there is contact, but it is expected and Murray had a chance of breaking clear before clearly choosing to drop to the floor, a couple of seconds later.
VERDICT: CORRECT decision made (element of subjectivity applied)
Expected Points
Outcome
No impact
Incident 2
Referee Nick Walsh Game Minute 16th
Incident Taylor goes down under the challenge from Sims Outcome Penalty to Celtic Evidence (5) Celtic 4-2 Ross County | Bhoys Score Four In Season Opener | cinch Premiership - YouTube
At 1:25
Yorkshire Whistler Verdict Taylor goes down under the challenge from Sims
Initial on field decision: Penalty awarded to Celtic
Just inside the box, Taylor reacts to the ball just before Simms makes a challenge. Unfortunately, the defender mis times the challenge, gets nothing of the ball and gets his man. Clear cut penalty.
VERDICT: CORRECT decision
Expected Points
Outcome
No impact
05/08/23 Kilmarnock vs The Rangers
Incident 1
Referee Willie Collum Game Minute 53rd Score At Time 0-0
Incident Goldson goes down in the box following a corner Outcome No decision Evidence BBC iPlayer - Sportscene - Premiership Highlights 2023/24: 05/08/2023
At 40:38
Yorkshire Whistler Verdict Goldson goes down in the box following a corner
Initial on field decision: No decision
From a Rangers corner, there is the usual jostling & grappling for position and as the cross comes in, the Kilmarnock defender appears to have both his hands on the waist of Goldson.
I appreciate this kind of physical contest happens multiple times at set plays and I am of the belief it the grappling is mutual, the approach of ‘they’re both at it, get on with it’ can be applied.
However, in this incident, Goldson gets in front of his man, he is not grabbing the defender and is clearly impeded by the drag back from the defender. I believe if the referee clearly sees this incident, he would have awarded a penalty kick. I am surprised this was not recommended for an on-field VAR review.
VERDICT: INCORRECT decision. Penalty kick expected outcome.
Expected Points
Outcome
TRFC -0.63 xPts
A bonus from a quite comical incident in Dundee!
05/08/23 Dundee vs Motherwell
Incident 1
Referee David Dickinson Game Minute ? Score At Time ?
Incident Motherwell defender seems to handle the ball whilst it is in the goalkeepers hands after reclaim Outcome No decision Evidence https://twitter.com/FundilyMundelly/status/1688560745779261442?s=20
Yorkshire Whistler Verdict Motherwell defender seems to handle the ball whilst it is in the goalkeepers hands after reclaim
Initial on field decision: Play on
Unusual incident here whereby the Motherwell defender appears to pat the ball whilst it is in the hands of his goalkeeper and as such the question is raised; Should a penalty kick have been awarded for a handball offence against the defender?
Worth noting that the only footage presented for review is a slow option clip. As I have stated multiple times, slow motion can offer distort to extent the reality of what may have transpired in ‘real time’.
I see the defender not looking directly at the ball, but rather talking to the keeper and appearing to say ‘calm it down/slow down the release of the ball’ and him making the associated hand gesture moving hands downwards to his waist. I suspect what we see is accidental contact and in no way is the player gaining any kind of advantage from this passage of play.
Law 12 Fouls & Misconduct does state around handball that ‘Not every touch of a player’s hand/arm with the ball is an offence.
Sometimes referees & fans talk about the ‘spirit of the laws’ and what football expects in this situation. For me, even if I am looking straight at this incident in real time, I would not be awarding a handball offence.
Verdict: CORRECT decision
Expected Points
Outcome
No impact
Summary
My thanks as always to the Yorkshire Whistler.
Firstly, I should extend congratulations to Nick Walsh for getting the big calls right at Celtic Park.
A remarkable start to the season though with frequent penalty recipients The Rangers potentially being denied one in defeat at Kilmarnock. Big Conor Goldson just can’t catch a ball, errr, I mean break.
The Rangers have 0.63 less points than expected due to the impact of Honest Mistakes.
Celtic are joint top and lead The Rangers by three points after one match.