Behind the Whistle: Former Premier League referee Chris Foy explains the latest EFL decisions
Former Premier League referee Chris Foy examines decisions from the Sky Bet Championship, League One and League Two; analysis from
Tuesday 24 December 2024 12:45, UK
In Behind the Whistle, former Premier League referee Chris Foy goes through a selection of key match decisions from the latest action in the EFL action.
Behind the Whistle aims to give supporters of EFL clubs an insight into the decision-making considerations and also clarification of certain calls to provide an understanding of how the laws of the game are interpreted.
As part of a regular feature on Sky Sports following the conclusion of a matchday, Foy will be here to run you through some refereeing matters in the EFL…
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Sky Bet Championship
Millwall 1-0 Blackburn Rovers
Incident: Possible penalty, foul (Blackburn Rovers)
Decision: No penalty (Blackburn Rovers)
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Foy says: "For me, an element of refereeing that doesn't get spoken about enough is the hard work that referees put in to create the best viewing angle possible in each scenario.
"In this case, the referee does exceptionally well to accelerate at pace, moving from one end of the pitch to the other, before identifying that the tackle that comes in plays the ball and is not a foul.
"It would have been easy for the referee to mistakenly judge that the Millwall player had fouled his opponent, but from the angle he creates for himself, there are no obstructions and he correctly waves play on."
Sheffield Wednesday 2-0 Stoke City
Incident: Possible penalty, handball (Stoke City)
Decision: No penalty (Stoke City)
Foy says: "Unfortunately the referee misses the handball here. As you can clearly see from the replay the ball strikes the hand of Sheffield Wednesday's No 10.
"I have sympathy for the referee though as you can see from his position that he is unsighted by the body of the player that handles the ball.
"Although a deliberate handball was clearly missed, he cannot award the spot-kick unless he is certain."
Sky Bet League One
Lincoln City 2-0 Reading
Incident: Possible red card, DOGSO (Reading)
Decision: Red card, DOGSO (Reading)
Foy says: "In my opinion, this is a textbook example of a correct interpretation of a Denial of an Obvious Goalscoring Opportunity (DOGSO) red card.
"As the Lincoln City forward runs through on goal, he is carelessly tripped by the Reading defender and unable to continue his run.
"At the point of the foul, the attacker is moving towards goal, with no covering defenders and a very high chance of retaining control of the ball. There is no doubt whatsoever that he has an obvious goalscoring opportunity, and therefore the only possible outcome is a red card."
Sky Bet League Two
Barrow 2-0 Fleetwood Town
Incident: Goal scored, possible offside (Barrow)
Decision: Goal disallowed, offside (Barrow)
Foy says: "From the wide free-kick, Barrow's No 14 is clearly in an offside position to start with, and the expectation was that he would hold his run as all the Fleetwood defenders retreated.
"Despite that, No 14 is still in an offside position as the delivery is played in, and the assistant referee correctly raises the flag. With so many players in a crowded penalty area, this is a good judgement that requires concentration and tracking of the second last opponent, leading to the correct decision."
Newport County 6-3 Milton Keynes Dons
Incident: Possible penalty, handball (Newport County)
Decision: Penalty awarded (Newport County)
Foy says: "If you slow this incident right down, it is as clear a handball penalty decision that you will see, but the reality is that this was an excellent spot by the referee.
"With four or five players in close proximity, it would be very easy for the referee to miss the deliberate movement of the defender's left arm to handle the ball.
"His positioning and focus is excellent, and he correctly and decisively awards the penalty."
