|
Replay or not replay? That is the question
I admit to hearing about the latest dilemma to hit the Football Association whilst reading a Sunday newspaper over lunch - sitting by the port
of Monte Carlo! (Spending my ill-gotten gains from refereeing? Not really, wife’s treat).
The first time an FA Cup match has been replayed? No, but the circumstances are certainly unique. A match to be replayed because of ‘unsporting
behaviour’. I have returned today to watch the match on video and can immediately see why all the controversy. However, the incident needs dissecting to get at the root of the
issues.
The referee was right
Firstly, the referee was correct in his actions. Under law, there was no transgression - from a correctly taken throw in, a goal was scored. An
embarrassing situation of course, but what action could have been taken to change things? It was not clear from the edited highlights but, from what I read, the referee actually
consulted his assistant before allowing the goal to stand. I would love to know what was said, but I can only guess. "What a prattish thing to do, but what can I do other than
to allow a goal?" springs to mind. I honestly feel the referee only wanted to buy himself some thinking time before facing an irate Steve Bruce.
Who was wrong?
Secondly, who was at fault? Was it the keen new face, Kanu, who not only didn't realise the wrath about to fall on him for picking up what he
thought was a 'loose throw', or was it the actions of his colleague Overmars, who should have known better? My thoughts fall to the latter. Marc Overmars must have been more aware
of the situation and could have either played the ball to the goalkeeper or better still have deliberately pushed it wide of the goal.
It doesn’t really matter
Anyway, the end result appears to be the best for all, including football. Sheffield United get another chance; Arsenal come out of it with head
held high, knowing that they will still probably win a replayed match. More importantly, the Football Association, by making the quickest decision they have ever made, have taken a
speedy and concerned view when all their recent publicity has been negative.
Fair play should always win
Finally, I must add that such situations are not so rare for a referee. The attacker saying "shall I pass it back ref"? Or the defence
asking if the ball will be thrown back at a restart after injury. My view is that fair play should always win and that players should always be made aware of the consequences of
their actions if fair play is not adhered to. Unfortunately, with this particular incident, it was too late to call a foul throw or “I wasn't ready lads, take it again!”
What is absolutely certain is that players and referees in future will be that much more careful to communicate in similar circumstances. Once
bitten ...
John Moore
© J Moore 1999
Back To Contents |