Ref Review: Sunderland – Arsenal

SUNDERLAND vs. ARSENAL

  • COMPETITION: English Premier League
  • MATCH NO. 35
  • DATE: 24th April 2016
  • VENUE: Stadium of Light (Sunderland, England)

MATCH OFFICIALS:

REFEREE: Mike Dean
1st LINESMAN: Simon Long
2nd LINESMAN: Michael Salisbury
4th OFFICIAL: Mike Jones

First Half

Fouls, Advantages, Cards, and Penalties

Time Foul by Foul For Description & Decision Points
01:18 Nacho Monreal (Arsenal) Fabio Borini (Sunderland) Monreal jumped in the back of Borini while heading the ball.

CORRECT FOUL FOR SUNDERLAND.

1 (FOUL)

 

05:22 Wahbi Khazri (Sunderland) Alexis Sanchez (Arsenal) Khazri pushed Sanchez in the back. This should have been a foul for Arsenal but was not given.

NO FOUL FOR ARSENAL.

-1 (FOUL)

 

06:38 Nacho Monreal (Arsenal) Fabio Borini (Sunderland) Monreal jumped in the back of Borini while heading the ball.

CORRECT FOUL FOR SUNDERLAND.

1 (FOUL)

 

10:55 Wahbi Khazri (Sunderland) Mohamed El Nenny (Arsenal) Khazri tripped El Nenny from behind.

CORRECT FOUL FOR ARSENAL.

1 (FOUL)

 

15:33 Olivier Giroud (Arsenal) Lamine Kone (Sunderland) Giroud’s trailing slightly caught Kone, but Sunderland won possession and attacked forward.

CORRECT ADVANTAGE PLAYED FOR SUNDERLAND.

1 (ADVANTAGE)

 

16:21 DeAndre Yedlin (Sunderland) Nacho Monreal (Arsenal) Yedlin collided in to Monreal after losing the ball.

CORRECT FOUL FOR ARSENAL.

1 (FOUL)

 

20:13 Laurent Koscienly (Arsenal) Jermain Defoe (Sunderland) Defoe was running forward inside the Arsenal’s half and Koscienly looked to tackle him, but before Koscienly could tackle him, Defoe sticks out his left leg, trips himself and creates a foul, thus conning the ref. This should not have been a foul against Arsenal. This should have been a foul for Arsenal due Defoe kicking Koscienly.

 

This also should have been a yellow card against Defoe for committing an act of simulation. But no yellow card was given.

 

LAW 12 FOULS AND MISCONDUCT PAGE 125

Cautions for Unsporting Behaviour

There are different circumstances when a player must be cautioned for unsporting behaviour, e.g. if a player:

• Attempts to deceive the referee by feigning injury or pretending to have been fouled (simulation)

 

WRONG FOUL AGAINST ARSENAL.

NO YELLOW CARD AGAINST DEFOE FOR DIVING.

NO FOUL FOR ARSENAL.

-1 (FOUL)

-2 (YELLOW CARD)

-1 (FOUL)

 

29:57 Olivier Giroud (Arsenal) Yann M’Vila (Sunderland) Giroud tripped M’Villa inside the Sunderland’s half.

CORRECT FOUL FOR SUNDERLAND.

1 (FOUL)

 

32:41 Lee Cattermole (Sunderland) Mohamed El Nenny (Arsenal) Cattermole pushed El Nenny from the side.

CORRECT FOUL FOR ARSENAL.

1 (FOUL)

 

36:02 Per Mertesacker (Arsenal) Defoe was ready to shoot a volley on goal inside the box when Mertesacker who within 1-2 meters of distance from Defoe. Just before the shot Mertesacker turned his back and had his arms in an unnatural position (away from the body). The shot from Defoe struck the hands of Mertesacker and the ball gets deflected away.

 

The handball laws are very debatable and obligates the referee to take 5 points in to consideration. These are listed below.

 

LAW 12 FOULS AND MISCONDUCT PAGE 121

Handling the Ball

Handling the ball involves a deliberate act of a player making contact with the ball with his hand or arm. The referee must take the following into consideration:

1. The movement of the hand towards the ball (not the ball towards the hand)

2. The distance between the opponent and the ball (unexpected ball)

3.The position of the hand does not necessarily mean that there is an infringement

4. Touching the ball with an object held in the hand (clothing, shinguard, etc.) counts as an infringement

5. Hitting the ball with a thrown object (boot, shinguard, etc.) counts as an infringement

 

1- There was no movement of the hand towards the ball.

2- The distance was very small 1-2 meters. But it was shot on goal.

3- The hands were in an unnatural (slightly away from body) position.

4- No object was used.

5- No object was thrown.

 

Point 1 and point 2 ticks the mark for ‘not a penalty’ but point 3 says otherwise. Considering these are very much debatable we give the benefits of the doubt to the referee.

 

CORRECT NON-PENALTY FOR ARSENAL.

3 (NON-PENALTY)

 

38:48 Aaron Ramsey (Arsenal) Wahbi Khazri (Sunderland) Ramsey tried to pull Khazri back and hold him slightly but Khazri evaded and attacked forward. This was a deliberate attack preventing foul by Ramsey.

CORRECT ADVANTAGE PLAYED FOR SUNDERLAND.

CORRECT YELLOW CARD AGAINST RAMSEY.

1 (ADVANTAGE)

2 (YELLOW CARD)

 

40:35 DeAndre Yedlin (Sunderland) Iwobi was in the box and was ready to take a shot on goal, just as Iwobi took the shot, Yedlin tried make a sliding block of the shot. The distance between Yedlin and the shot was 4-6 meters. The ball is blocked by the Yedlin’s leg but gets deflected upwards and hits the raised and stretched arm of Yedlin.

 

The handball laws are very debatable and obligates the referee to take 5 points in to consideration. These are listed below.

 

LAW 12 FOULS AND MISCONDUCT PAGE 121

Handling the Ball

Handling the ball involves a deliberate act of a player making contact with the ball with his hand or arm. The referee must take the following into consideration:

1. The movement of the hand towards the ball (not the ball towards the hand)

2. The distance between the opponent and the ball (unexpected ball)

3.The position of the hand does not necessarily mean that there is an infringement

4. Touching the ball with an object held in the hand (clothing, shinguard, etc.) counts as an infringement

5. Hitting the ball with a thrown object (boot, shinguard, etc.) counts as an infringement

 

1- There was no movement of the hand towards the ball. The ball was deflected on from Yedlin’s leg.

2- The distance was around 4-6 meters. It was shot on goal.

3- The hands were in an unnatural (well raised above and away from the body) position.

4- No object was used.

5- No object was thrown.

 

Point 1 indicates not a penalty but point 2 and point 3 says otherwise. Considering these are very much debatable we give the benefit of the doubt to the referee.

 

CORRECT NON-PENALTY FOR SUNDERLAND.

3 (NON-PENALTY)

 

43:25 Lamine Kone (Sunderland) Olivier Giroud (Arsenal) Kone tripped Giroud from behind but maintained attacking possession.

CORRECT ADVANTAGE PLAYED FOR ARSENAL.

1 (ADVANTAGE)

 

44:25 Jermain Defoe (Sunderland) Nacho Monreal (Arsenal) Defoe pulled down Monreal from behind inside the Sunderland’s half.

CORRECT FOUL FOR ARSENAL.

1 (FOUL)

 

   
Number of Correct Fouls for Arsenal – 4

Number of Correct Fouls for Sunderland – 3

Total Number of Correct Fouls – 7 [7 points]

 

Number of Incorrect Fouls against Arsenal – 3

Number of Incorrect Fouls against Sunderland – 0

Total Number of Incorrect Fouls – 3 [3 points]

 

Number of Correct Advantages for Arsenal – 1

Number of Correct Advantages for Sunderland – 2

Total Number of Correct Advantages – 3 [3 points]

 

Number of Incorrect Advantages against Arsenal – 0

Number of Incorrect Advantages against Sunderland – 0

Total Number of Incorrect Advantages – 0

Number of Correct Yellow Cards for Arsenal – 0

Number of Correct Yellow Cards for Sunderland – 1

Total Number of Correct Yellow Cards – 1 [2 points]

Number of Incorrect Yellow Cards against Arsenal – 1

Number of Incorrect Yellow Cards against Sunderland – 0

Total Number of Incorrect Yellow Cards – 1 [2 points]

 

Number of Correct Penalties for Arsenal – 1

Number of Correct Penalties for Sunderland – 1

Total Number of Correct Penalties – 2 [6 points]

 

Number of Incorrect Penalties against Arsenal – 0

Number of Incorrect Penalties against Sunderland – 0

Total Number of Incorrect Penalties – 0

Offsides

Time Player Offside Defending Player Description & Decision Points
17:39 Olivier Giroud (Arsenal) Lamine Kone (Sunderland) Giroud was in an offside position. Assistant Ref Michael Salisbury made the correct call.

CORRECT OFFSIDE FOR SUNDERLAND.

1 (OFFSIDE)
Number of Correct Offsides for Arsenal – 0

Number of Correct Offsides for Sunderland – 1

Total Number of Correct Offsides – 1 [1 points]

Number of Incorrect Offsides against Arsenal – 0

Number of Incorrect Offsides against Sunderland – 0

Total Number of Incorrect Offsides – 0


First Half Referee Report

Total Number of Correct Decisions for Arsenal – 4+1+1 = 6

Total Number of Correct Decisions for Sunderland – 3+2+1+1+1 = 8

Total Number of Correct Decisions = 6 + 8 = 14

 

AFTER POINTS HAVE BEEN WEIGHTED

 

Total Number of Correct Decisions (Weighted) for Arsenal – 4+1+3 = 8

Total Number of Correct Decisions (Weighted) for Sunderland – 3+2+2+3+1 = 11

Total Number of Correct Decisions (Weighted) = 8 + 11 = 19

 

Total Number of Incorrect Decisions against Arsenal – 3+1 = 4

Total Number of Incorrect Decisions against Sunderland – 0

Total Number of Incorrect Decisions = 4 + 0 = 4

 

AFTER POINTS HAVE BEEN WEIGHTED

 

Total Number of Incorrect Decisions (Weighted) against Arsenal – 3+2 = 5

Total Number of Incorrect Decisions (Weighted) against Sunderland – 0

Total Number of Incorrect Decisions (Weighted) = 5 + 0 = 5

 

 

 

First Half Correct Decision Percentage = Total Correct Decisions / Total Decisions (Correct + Incorrect) 14/(14+4) = 77.7%

 

 

First Half Correct Decision Percentage (WEIGHTED) = Total Correct Decisions / Total Decisions (Correct + Incorrect) =  19/(19+5) = 79.1%

 

Second Half

Fouls, Advantages, Cards, and Penalties

Time Foul by Foul For Description & Decision Points
48:42 Hector Bellerin (Arsenal) Wahbi Khazri (Sunderland) Khazri was making a promising attacking inside the center of the field when Bellerin made a late reckless looking sliding tackle on Khazri.

CORRECT FOUL FOR SUNDERLAND.

CORRECT YELLOW CARD AGAINST BELLERIN.

1 (FOUL)

2 (YELLOW CARD)

 

50:32 DeAndre Yedlin (Sunderland) Alex Iwobi (Arsenal) Yedlin was trying to pull Iwobi from the side but Arsenal kept attacking forward.

CORRECT ADVANTAGE PLAYED FOR ARSENAL.

1 (ADVANTAGE)

 

53:46 Olivier Giroud (Arsenal) Jan Kirchhoff (Sunderland) Giroud cleanly headed the ball against Kirchhoff without fouling him, but the ref seemed to have played a wrong advantage against Arsenal.

WRONG ADVANTAGE PLAYED AGAINST ARSENAL.

-1 (ADVANTAGE)

 

57:30 Fabio Borini (Sunderland) Alex Iwobi (Arsenal) Borini was late in his tackle and stepped on Iwobi’s heels from behind. This was a reckless attempt for a tackle from Borini.

CORRECT FOUL FOR ARSENAL.

CORRECT YELLOW CARD AGAINST BORINI.

1 (FOUL)

2 (YELLOW CARD)

 

68:49 Jan Kirchhoff (Sunderland) Olivier Giroud (Arsenal) Jan Kirchhoff pulled down Giroud slightly from behind inside the Sunderland’s half.

CORRECT FOUL FOR ARSENAL.

1 (FOUL)

 

71:47 DeAndre Yedlin (Sunderland) Mohamed El Nenny (Arsenal) Arsenal were on the counter attack, El Nenny had already dribbled past two players when Yedlin charged from the front and brought him down. The ref correctly gave a foul.

 

But this also should have been a yellow card against Yedlin for committing an attack breaking foul but no card was given.

 

CORRECT FOUL FOR ARSENAL.

NO YELLOW CARD AGAINST YEDLIN.

1 (FOUL)

-2 (YELLOW CARD)

 

72:25 Aaron Ramsey (Arsenal) Wahbi Khazri (Sunderland) Ramsey tripped Khazri inside the Sunderland’s half.

CORRECT FOUL FOR SUNDERLAND.

1 (FOUL)

 

75:50 Mohamed El Nenny (Arsenal) Yann M’Vila (Sunderland) M’Vila was on the counter attack and El Nenny was chasing from behind. When El Nenny stretched his hands forward in chasing motion and made just touching contact that cannot be considered a pull/push. At the same moment M’Vila dived forward in to the ground as if he was fouled. The referee wrongly gave a foul against Arsenal. The referee also gave a wrong yellow card against El Nenny.

 

This should have been a yellow card against M’Vila for committing an act of simulation. But no card was given.

 

LAW 12 FOULS AND MISCONDUCT PAGE 125

Cautions for Unsporting Behaviour

There are different circumstances when a player must be cautioned for unsporting behaviour, e.g. if a player:

• Attempts to deceive the referee by feigning injury or pretending to have been fouled (simulation)

 

WRONG FOUL AGAINST ARSENAL.

WRONG YELLOW CARD AGAINST EL NENNY.

NO YELLOW CARD AGAINST M’VILA.

-1 (FOUL)

-2 (YELLOW CARD)

-2 (YELLOW CARD)

 

78:55 Younes Kaboul (Sunderland) Danny Welbeck (Arsenal) The Goal Keeper came forward out of the goal failed to clear the ball when Kaboul was left as the man at the back against the attacker Welbeck. Welbeck tried to the control the ball in the air but was deliberately pushed in the back by Kaboul. This should have been a foul for Arsenal but no foul was given.

 

This also should have been a direct red card against Kaboul for denying an obvious goal scoring opportunity by committing a foul as the last defending player. But no red card was given.

 

LAW 12 FOULS AND MISCONDUCT PAGE 129

Denying a Goal or an Obvious Goalscoring Opportunity

There are two sending-off offences that deal with denying an opponent an obvious opportunity to score a goal. It is not necessary for the offence to occur inside the penalty area.

 

If the referee applies advantage during an obvious goalscoring opportunity and a goal is scored directly, despite the opponent’s handling the ball or fouling an opponent, the player cannot be sent off but he may still be cautioned.

 

Referees should consider the following circumstances when deciding whether to send off a player for denying a goal or an obvious goalscoring opportunity:

• The distance between the offence and the goal

• The likelihood of keeping or gaining control of the ball

• The direction of the play

• The location and number of defenders

• The offence which denies an opponent an obvious goalscoring opportunity may be an offence that incurs a direct free kick or an indirect free kick

 

NO FOUL FOR ARSENAL.

NO RED CARD AGAINST KABOUL.

-1 (FOUL)

-3 (RED CARD)

 

80:57 Lee Cattermole (Sunderland) Mohamed El Nenny (Arsenal) Cattermole made a very late and reckless looking sliding tackle on El Nenny. The referee correctly called a foul.

 

But this also should have been a yellow card against Cattermole for committing a reckless foul. But no card was given.

 

LAW 12 FOULS AND MISCONDUCT PAGE 119

“Reckless” means that the player has acted with complete disregard to the danger to, or consequences for, his opponent.

• A player who plays in a reckless manner must be cautioned

 

CORRECT FOUL FOR ARSENAL.

NO YELLOW CARD AGAINST CATTERMOLE.

1 (FOUL)

-2 (YELLOW CARD)

 

82:55 Lamine Kone (Sunderland) Kone handled the ball while receiving a long clearance.

CORRECT FOUL FOR ARSENAL.

1 (FOUL)

 

85:44 Lee Cattermole (Sunderland) Aaron Ramsey (Arsenal) Cattermole tripped Ramsey from behind but Arsenal maintained attacking possession.

CORRECT ADVANTAGE PLAYED FOR ARSENAL.

1 (ADVANTAGE)

 

91:22 Laurent Koscienly (Arsenal) Duncan Watmore (Sunderland) Koscienly made an attempt to tackle by stretching himself and Watmore jumped over him to avoid contact. Watmore fell down after his jump. The referee correctly gave a foul, because if Watmore didn’t had jumped Koscienly would have tripped him.

 

But then the ref gave him a yellow card for no valid reason. This was Koscienly’s first foul of the match. There was nothing reckless in the attempt for the tackle. There was no promising attack by Sunderland at that moment. Thus this should not have been a yellow card against Koscienly.

 

CORRECT FOUL FOR SUNDERLAND.

WRONG YELLOW CARD AGAINST KOSCIENLY.

 

1 (FOUL)

-2 (YELLOW CARD)

 

92:11 Wahbi Khazri (Sunderland) Jack Wilshere (Arsenal) Arsenal were counter attacking when Khazri just bear hugged down Wilshere.

CORRECT FOUL FOR ARSENAL.

CORRECT YELLOW CARD AGAINST KHAZRI.

1 (FOUL)

2 (YELLOW CARD)

 

   
Number of Correct Fouls for Arsenal – 6

Number of Correct Fouls for Sunderland – 3

Total Number of Correct Fouls – 9 [9 points]

 

Number of Incorrect Fouls against Arsenal – 2

Number of Incorrect Fouls against Sunderland – 0

Total Number of Incorrect Fouls – 2 [2 points]

 

Number of Correct Advantages for Arsenal – 2

Number of Correct Advantages for Sunderland – 0

Total Number of Correct Advantages – 2 [2 points]

 

Number of Incorrect Advantages against Arsenal – 1

Number of Incorrect Advantages against Sunderland – 0

Total Number of Incorrect Advantages – 1 [1 points]

Number of Correct Yellow Cards for Arsenal – 2

Number of Correct Yellow Cards for Sunderland – 1

Total Number of Correct Yellow Cards – 3 [6 points]

Number of Incorrect Yellow Cards against Arsenal – 5

Number of Incorrect Yellow Cards against Sunderland – 0

Total Number of Incorrect Yellow Cards – 5 [10 points]

 

Number of Correct Red Cards for Arsenal – 0

Number of Correct Red Cards for Sunderland – 0

Total Number of Correct Red Cards – 0

 

Number of Incorrect Red Cards against Arsenal – 1

Number of Incorrect Red Cards against Sunderland – 0

Total Number of Incorrect Red Cards – 1 [3 points]

Offsides

Time Player Offside Defending Player Description & Decision Points
45:37 Olivier Giroud (Arsenal) Younes Kaboul (Sunderland) Giroud was in an offside position. Assistant Ref Simon Long made the correct call.

CORRECT OFFSIDE FOR SUNDERLAND.

1 (OFFSIDE)
49:15 Lamine Kone (Sunderland) Per Mertesacker (Arsenal) No live footage or replay shown. Assumed Correct. Assistant Ref Michael Salisbury made the correct call.

CORRECT OFFSIDE FOR ARSENAL.

1 (OFFSIDE)
65:03 Olivier Giroud (Arsenal) Younes Kaboul (Sunderland) Giroud was in an offside position. Assistant Ref Simon Long made the correct call.

CORRECT OFFSIDE FOR SUNDERLAND.

1 (OFFSIDE)
76:14 Jermain Defoe (Sunderland) Per Mertesacker (Arsenal) Defoe was in an offside position. Assistant Ref Michael Salisbury made the correct call.

CORRECT OFFSIDE FOR ARSENAL.

1 (OFFSIDE)
79:22 Jermain Defoe (Sunderland) Per Mertesacker (Arsenal) Defoe was in an offside position. Assistant Ref Michael Salisbury made the correct call.

CORRECT OFFSIDE FOR ARSENAL.

1 (OFFSIDE)
83:54 Alexis Sanchez (Arsenal) DeAndre Yedlin (Sunderland) Sanchez was well onside. Assistant Ref Simon Long made the wrong call.

WRONG OFFSIDE AGAINST ARSENAL.

-1 (OFFSIDE)
84:29 Duncan Watmore (Sunderland) Per Mertesacker (Arsenal) Watmore was in an offside position. Assistant Ref Michael Salisbury made the correct call.

CORRECT OFFSIDE FOR ARSENAL.

1 (OFFSIDE)
93:54 Duncan Watmore (Sunderland) Per Mertesacker (Arsenal) Watmore was in an offside position. Assistant Ref Michael Salisbury made the correct call.

CORRECT OFFSIDE FOR ARSENAL.

1 (OFFSIDE)
Number of Correct Offsides for Arsenal – 5

Number of Correct Offsides for Sunderland – 2

Total Number of Correct Offsides – 7 [7 points]

Number of Incorrect Offsides against Arsenal – 1

Number of Incorrect Offsides against Sunderland – 0

Total Number of Incorrect Offsides – 1 [1 points]


Second Half Referee Report

Total Number of Correct Decisions for Arsenal – 6+2+2+5 = 15

Total Number of Correct Decisions for Sunderland – 3+1+2 = 6

Total Number of Correct Decisions = 15 + 6 = 21

 

AFTER POINTS HAVE BEEN WEIGHTED

 

Total Number of Correct Decisions (Weighted) for Arsenal – 6+2+4+5 = 17

Total Number of Correct Decisions (Weighted) for Sunderland – 3+2+2 = 7

Total Number of Correct Decisions (Weighted) = 17 + 7 = 24

 

Total Number of Incorrect Decisions against Arsenal – 2+1+5+1+1 = 10

Total Number of Incorrect Decisions against Sunderland – 0

Total Number of Incorrect Decisions = 10 + 0 = 10

 

AFTER POINTS HAVE BEEN WEIGHTED

 

Total Number of Incorrect Decisions (Weighted) against Arsenal – 2+1+10+3+1 = 17

Total Number of Incorrect Decisions (Weighted) against Sunderland – 0

Total Number of Incorrect Decisions (Weighted) = 17 + 0 = 17

 

 

 

Second Half Correct Decision Percentage = Total Correct Decisions / Total Decisions (Correct + Incorrect) = 21/(21+10) = 67.7%

 

 

Second Half Correct Decision Percentage (WEIGHTED) = Total Correct Decisions / Total Decisions (Correct + Incorrect) =  24/(24+17) = 58.5%

 

Full Time (1st Half + 2nd Half) Referee Report

Total Number of Correct Decisions for Arsenal – 6+15 = 21

Total Number of Correct Decisions for Sunderland – 8+6 = 14

Total Number of Correct Decisions = 21 + 14 = 35

 

AFTER POINTS HAVE BEEN WEIGHTED

 

Total Number of Correct Decisions (Weighted) for Arsenal – 8+17 = 25

Total Number of Correct Decisions (Weighted) for Sunderland – 11+7 = 18

Total Number of Correct Decisions (Weighted) = 25 + 18 = 43

 

Total Number of Incorrect Decisions against Arsenal – 4+10 = 14

Total Number of Incorrect Decisions against Sunderland – 0+0 = 0

Total Number of Incorrect Decisions = 14 + 0 = 14

 

AFTER POINTS HAVE BEEN WEIGHTED

 

Total Number of Incorrect Decisions (Weighted) against Arsenal – 5+17 = 22

Total Number of Incorrect Decisions (Weighted) against Sunderland – 0+0 = 0

Total Number of Incorrect Decisions (Weighted) = 22 + 0 = 22

 

 

 

Full Match Correct Decision Percentage = Total Correct Decisions / Total Decisions (Correct + Incorrect) = 35/(35+14) = 71.4%

 

 

Full Match Correct Decision Percentage (WEIGHTED) = Total Correct Decisions / Total Decisions (Correct + Incorrect) =  43/(43+22) = 66.1%

 

APPENDIX

Key Decisions in the Match Points
Advantage 1
Foul 1
Incorrect Corner 1
Incorrect Goal Kick 1
Incorrect Throw-in 1
Other (Ref Positioning, Injuries, Time Wasting, etc.) 1
Offside 1
Yellow Card 2
Red Card 3
Goal 3
Penalty 3

 

NOTE: FOR ANY WRONG DECISION MADE THERE WILL BE NEGATIVE POINTS AWARDED FOR THAT SPECIFIC KIND OF EVENT.

NOTE: ANY INCORRECT OR WRONG DECISION/NON-DECISION WILL BE HIGHLIGHTED WITH A RED COLOUR.

NOTE: ANY DECISION THAT INVOLVES DOUBT IS HIGHLIGHTED AS BLUE IN COLOR.

NOTE: The word ‘FOR’ is used to show IN FAVOR OF.

BELOW IS THE LINK FOR THE “FIFA LAWS OF THE GAME 2015/2016”. ANY LAW OF THE GAME IS DIRECTLY REFERENCED FROM THIS DOCUMENT.

Our good old friend Mike Dean was the ref for this match.

To start with the good thing: he didn’t screw us when he had the chance to do so. Well not in the open way we have seen so many times before. I refer to the handball incident with Per Mertesacker. As it is described in the table it didn’t tick all the 5 boxes to give a penalty.

A few minutes later Dean was at least consistent with not giving Arsenal a penalty when a Sunderland defender made a handball. So we want a consistent referee… he was in that instant. He wasn’t like that the whole match as we have shown.

The instructions to judge handballs are rather new. And to be honest as a referee… checking 5 boxes in a fraction of a second is too much and results in too many handballs not being punished. Be them in the penalty area (there certainly refs hold back from them) or anywhere else on the field. This is something the IFAB should work on. Maybe we just should punish each and every handball in the future? A bit like any touch with the foot is punished in field hockey. No fuss is being made there when a ball touches a foot. Foul is given and off we go again.

If we would do that we surely would make things much easier and clearer for all. No more thinking: was it ball to hand or the other way, was there a movement  and all those things can be forgotten. And the only question that remains is: did it touch his hand/arm? Yes, then it is a foul. Period.

The result might be a lot more penalties (two alone in this match) but then it would be clear and the same for all. That is if the ref is able to see the handball of course.

The first Half score for Dean was 77.7% and 79.1% (Weighted) What we could call a good performance.

But in the second half we saw more the regular Dean. Looking away when he needed to see and seeing things that weren’t there. Of course players try to con you but he was very happy to go along with a bit of diving work from M’Vila and gave Elneny a yellow card on top of that.

The major incident in this match was the foul from Kaboul on Welbeck when Manone came a long way out of his goal and missed the ball. Welbeck only had Kaboul with him and the latter pushed Welbeck in the back. Dean didn’t see anything wrong with that and that was wrong. Without the foul Welbeck would have had a clear goal scoring chance so Kaboul should have been sent off but well we already know that Dean will only dismisses Arsenal players and never opponents. Business as usual.

Score in the second half because of his errors dropped to  67.7% and 58.5% (Weighted). Very inconsistent and below average.

The overall score over the match was 71.4% and 66.1% (Weighted).  We could call this an average score.

Bias….. this was Dean of course so a 100% bias against Arsenal. Some things will never change….

There is a slight change within in the format of the review. Due to the two debatable handball penalty incidents, we have decided to add incidents for “Non-Penalties”.  In this case both handball penalty incidents were similar, so either they both should have been given or not given. So by giving the benefit of the doubt to the referee, we have listed them as “Correct non-penalty decisions”.
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5 Replies to “Ref Review: Sunderland – Arsenal”

  1. Looking back at it I think after what happened against Chelsea Dean wanted to stay out of the spotlight in this match and so didn’t take the chance to give a penalty against Arsenal as he usually does. But he couldn’t really hide his bias in the other decisions…

  2. Yeah, you are right Walter, after watching the match again I felt that Mike Dean just wanted to get over this match quickly without making any major decisions for either team.

  3. An unusually high score for this piece of shite, Mike Dean.

    Maybe as Walter suggests, he just didn’t want to make a meal of this game, as the job was already done (we couldn’t win the title).

    Still a long way from 96% or what ever figure Riley throws at those who dare to question his puppets.

    Hopefully, Dean will now be retiring because his fitness is nowhere near what is required of a top official.

  4. A very detailed and comprehensive report.

    A high score by Dean’s poor standards – but still unsatisfactory and in addition the balance of incorrect decisions of 22 : 0 against Arsenal cannot be by accident.

    What a useless person Dean is,

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