Honest Mistakes - SPFL Week 13
I outlined a framework to assess the impact of Honest Mistakes in the SPFL..
Today, we cover the games from match day 13 – 6th and 7th November.
Reminder
I am indebted to the Yorkshire Whistler for providing expert judgement of these key potentially game changing moments and providing an unbiased assessment of the correct decision.
I do not always agree with his conclusions mainly because;
a) I am biased;
b) I do not know the Laws of the Game intimately as he does; and
c) I do not have experience of refereeing football matches.
You may also relate to those constraints. Be honest!
As described in the framework, where an in-game decision is deemed incorrect, there is an Expected Points impact for the “wronged” team and this is indicated.
I’ll keep a running tally.
Here we go.
07/11/21 Dundee v Celtic
Incident 1
Date 07/11/21 Referee Alan Muir Game Dundee v Celtic Game Minute 8th
Incident Jota scores after a Ralston shot hits the post Outcome Goal awarded Evidence BBC iPlayer - Sportscene - 2021/22: 07/11/2021
At 4m 42sec
Yorkshire Whistler Verdict Celtic forward hits a shot from outside the box on target with various players inside the penalty area. The shot deflects off a Dundee defender, hits the post and Jota scores the rebound.
Jota was stood offside as the initial shot was hit by his team mate but was correctly adjudged to have not gained an advantage as (under Law 12):
‘A player in an offside position receiving the ball from an opponent who deliberately plays the ball, including by deliberate handball, is not considered to have gained an advantage, unless it was a deliberate save by any opponent.’
As the Dundee defender went to play the ball with his head to block the initial shot, this would be deemed a deliberate act to then play the ball.
Verdict: Correct decision
Expected Points
Outcome
No impact
Incident 2
Date 07/11/21 Referee Alan Muir Game Dundee v Celtic Game Minute 55th
Incident Celtic cross into box, Furuhashi goes down Outcome Play on Evidence BBC iPlayer - Sportscene - 2021/22: 07/11/2021
At 8m 39s
Yorkshire Whistler Verdict Kyogo goes down in the box after contact is made by the Dundee defender as a cross comes into the box. I would say that contact is minimal and Kyogo drops to the floor upon feeling the contact. The defender only has eyes on the ball, and as the ball begins to go over his head, his natural body movement is simply to follow the flight. This movement sees him pivot his body and it’s part of this movement that sees his arm accidental make contact with Kyogo. It is not reckless or dangerous in any way, is natural body movement and does not constitute a foul.
Verdict: Correct no foul decision.
Expected Points
Outcome
No impact
Incident 3
Date 07/11/21 Referee Alan Muir Game Dundee v Celtic Game Minute 88th
Incident Dundee corner comes into box and Celtic are awarded a free kick Outcome Foul awarded to Celtic Evidence BBC iPlayer - Sportscene - 2021/22: 07/11/2021
At 15m 11s
Yorkshire Whistler Verdict As the cross is swung into the Celtic box there are two separate Celtic v Dundee players trying to get on the end of the cross. There will always be an element of jostling and contact when trying to win this kind of ball into the box from a set piece.
Having watched the replay several times and looking at both separate challenges, I cannot see enough contact from any of the parties involved. I do not believe a foul was committed by the Dundee player who was given the foul against. Equally I do not feel the other Dundee player was fouled either (as he appears to be asking for a penalty for holding)
Verdict: Incorrect decision. No foul committed by either player.
Expected Points
Outcome
No impact
07/11/21 The Rangers vs Ross County
Date 07/11/21 Referee David Munro Game TRFC v Ross County Game Minute 5th
Incident Hungbo scores for Ross County Outcome Goal to Ross County Evidence BBC iPlayer - Sportscene - 2021/22: 07/11/2021
At 22m
Yorkshire Whistler Verdict The Ross County forward is put through on goal and slots home past the Rangers keeper. Rangers are asking for an offside and this (is) an incredibly tight decision.
To the naked eye the assistant referee feels the striker is level as ball is played and keeps flag down. Even after watching the replay several times, and with the angle of footage offered, I cannot conclusively say Hungbo is offside by what would be mere millimetres.
Verdict: Correct decision. No conclusive footage to show Hungbo was offside as the ball is played, goal stands.
Expected Points
Outcome
No Impact
Summary
My thanks as always to the Yorkshire Whistler.
Of the 4 incidents in the 2 matches, the referees seem to have got 3 out of 4 correct but even the error did not have an impact on the Expected Points totals.
Overall, a great week for the gentlemen in black.
Expected Points Table
The Expected Points table is therefore as it was:
At the moment, based on xPts, Celtic have 1.13 less points than expected due to Honest Mistakes and The Rangers have 2.2 more points than expected.
The current gap at the top of the table is 4 points.