Question Number: 23532

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 6/21/2010

Melvin H. of Colo. Springs, Colorado U.S.A. asks...

I wonder what the esteemed panel thought of the call in the 85th/86th minute of the USA-Slovenia match a few days ago? I am still trying to figure out: (A) What was called, (B) What did the Malian referee see from his position [on the replay, he looks like he's already blowing the whistle and raising his hand before the ball crosses the goal line] to call a foul against an (unknown) U.S. player?

As far as I can tell, there was no American player in an offside position at the kick, nor was a player in an offside position involved. There was no apparent fouls by any American player(s); although some would say there should have at least been a penalty against any of three Slovenian players for gridiron-football tackling in the box. No one interfered with the Slovenian keeper. No American player pushed off or shirt-pulled, or committed a foul. The near-side AR never raised his flag; the referee was calling...SOMETHING...virtually at the same time as Landon Donovan's cross fell onto Maurice Edu (?)'s foot for a 3-2 USA lead. Most Americans, and more than a few neutrals, are utterly baffled......

I don't think there is a local South African TV cameraman to bail out this referee, like the TV cameraman from Marseille backed the American referee in Brazil/Norway, 1998--that is, showing us an angle which showed what happened, proving the ref made the right call without any doubt.

So, what do you on the panel think, and what is the right call?

Answer provided by Referee MrRef

As a referee question and answer service, we are still bound by the referee code of ethics which prevents us from publicly criticizing the performance of a referee, especially one above our pay grade, regardless of our personal feelings, unless a referee has specifically asked for our opinion.

We are happy to provide any information we can on the possible choices faced by the referee, and the result of such choices. I would reiterate what some of my colleagues have said in previous answers to this same question - we weren't there, and the referee did NOT have the advantage of multiple replays from many angles or the luxury of extra time to review any decision he might wish to make or not make. Second guessing them is an ultimately frustrating exercise.

It appears the referee in this game saw an offense committed by a USA player first, in which case this would be the offense that he called. What happened after that can only be dealt with as misconduct. Beyond that, we have no more information than you do. Sorry.

The following questions were asked as a follow up to the above question...

See Question: 23547