By Usama and Walter
- DINAMO ZAGREB vs. ARSENAL
- COMPETITION: UEFA Champions League
- MATCH NO. 1
- DATE: 16th September 2015
- VENUE: Stadion Maksimir (Zagreb, Croatia)
MATCH OFFICIALS:
| REFEREE: Ovidiu Haţegan (Romania) | |
| 1st LINESMAN: Octavian Șovre (Romania) | |
| 2nd LINESMAN: Sebastian Gheorghe (Romania) | |
| 4th OFFICIAL: Radu Ghinguleac (Romania) |
First Half
Fouls, Advantages, Cards, and Penalties
| Time | Foul by | Foul For | Description & Decision | Points | |
| 01:15 | Junior Fernandes (Dinamo Zagreb) | Mathieu Debuchy (Arsenal) | Debuchy was in control of the ball near the right side of the Dinamo Zagreb’s Half. Debuchy turned with the ball when Fernandes came in from behind and tried to kick the ball away from Debuchy.
Debuchy touched the ball away first and Fernandes failed to kick the ball thereby KICKING Debuchy on the right foot and making him lose his balance. This should have been should foul for Arsenal. The law clearly mentions “KICK” as a foul offence. But the referee didn’t give foul. LAW 12 FOULS AND MISCONDUCT PAGE 37 Direct Free Kick A direct free kick is awarded to the opposing team if a player commits any of the following seven offences in a manner considered by the referee to be careless, reckless or using excessive force: • kicks or attempts to kick an opponent • trips or attempts to trip an opponent • jumps at an opponent • charges an opponent • strikes or attempts to strike an opponent • pushes an opponent • tackles an opponent NO FOUL FOR ARSENAL. |
-1 (FOUL) | |
| 05:10 | Alexis Sanchez (Arsenal) | Ivo Pinto (Dinamo Zagreb) | Debuchy delivered a cross and Sanchez and Pinto were in the box. Sanchez used his hand to JUMP up and over Pinto to head the ball.
LAW 12 FOULS AND MISCONDUCT PAGE 37 Direct Free Kick A direct free kick is awarded to the opposing team if a player commits any of the following seven offences in a manner considered by the referee to be careless, reckless or using excessive force: • kicks or attempts to kick an opponent • trips or attempts to trip an opponent • jumps at an opponent • charges an opponent • strikes or attempts to strike an opponent • pushes an opponent • tackles an opponent CORRECT FOUL FOR DINAMO ZAGREB. |
1 (FOUL)
|
|
| 07:13 | Leonardo Sigali (Dinamo Zagreb) | Olivier Giroud (Arsenal) | Giroud received the long ball on his chest when Sigali came from behind and CHARGED in to the back of Giroud.
CORRECT FOUL FOR ARSENAL. |
1 (FOUL)
|
|
| 11:35 | Alex Oxlade Chamberlain (Arsenal) | Josip Pivarić (Dinamo Zagreb) | Chamberlain just slightly clipped the right foot of Pivarić from behind causing him to fall down.
CORRECT FOUL FOR DINAMO ZAGREB. |
1 (FOUL)
|
|
| 14:08 | Jérémy Taravel (Dinamo Zagreb) | Olivier Giroud (Arsenal) | Just as Giroud tried to receive the ball in the center of the field, Taravel came in from behind and CHARGED and TRIPPED Giroud.
CORRECT FOUL FOR ARSENAL. |
1 (FOUL) | |
| 17:11 | Arijan Ademi (Dinamo Zagreb) | Mesut Ozil (Arsenal) | Sanchez intercepted the ball from Pinto deep inside the Arsenal’s Half and started the attack for Arsenal. Sanchez moved forward with the ball and passed it way ahead inside the center of the field to Ozil.
Just Ozil as touched the ball Ademi came from and PUSHED Ozil very hard to the ground. The referee correctly gave a foul. This was a totally intentional (tactical foul) foul to interfere and stop the buildup of Arsenal’s attack, and according to law mentioned below Ademi should have been Yellow Carded. But the referee did not issue any yellow card against Ademi. 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: • Commits a foul for the tactical purpose of interfering with or breaking up a promising attack” CORRECT FOUL FOR ARSENAL. NO YELLOW CARD AGAINST ARIJAN ADEMI |
1 (FOUL)
-2 (YELLOW CARD) |
|
| 21:06 | Olivier Giroud (Arsenal) | Arijan Ademi (Dinamo Zagreb) | While challenging for the header Giroud’s left trailing arm slightly caught the face of Ademi.
CORRECT FOUL FOR DINAMO ZAGREB. |
1 (FOUL)
|
|
| 22:32 | Oliver Giroud (Arsenal) | Domagoj Antolić (Dinamo Zagreb) | Giroud and Antolić were challenging for the header inside Dinamo Zagreb’s Half. Giroud jumped up high in the air and headed the ball firmly and cleanly before Antolić.
Giroud’s jump to head the ball did not involve the following for it to be considered a foul. Giroud jumped in the air without any support from the challenging player Antolić. Giroud did not used any trailing or leading arms on the challenging player Antolić. Giroud did not jumped on the back of Antolić before heading the ball. Giroud did not pushed Antolić down or away from the ball. Giroud did not kicked Antolić while challenging for the header. Antolić fell down after he failed win to the header, This should not have been a foul at all. But the referee gave a foul. WRONG FOUL AGAINST ARSENAL. |
-1 (FOUL)
|
|
| 22:43 | Oliver Giroud (Arsenal) | After the referee called a foul against Giroud, he protested and showed dissent against the referee both verbally and non-verbally, according to the law mentioned below he was correctly yellow carded by the referee.
LAW 12 FOULS AND MISCONDUCT PAGE 126 Showing Dissent by Word or Action “A player who is guilty of dissent by protesting (verbally or non-verbally) against a referee’s decision must be cautioned. The captain of a team has no special status or privileges under the Laws of the Game but he has a degree of responsibility for the behaviour of his team.” CORRECT YELLOW CARD AGAINST OIVIER GIROUD. |
2 (YELLOW CARD) | ||
| 25:40 | Jérémy Taravel (Dinamo Zagreb) | Oliver Giroud (Arsenal) | Just as Giroud was about to receive the ball inside the Dinamo Zagreb’s Half and TRIPPED and KICKED Giroud late from behind. Should have been a foul but the referee didn’t give a foul.
NO FOUL FOR ARSENAL. |
-1 (FOUL)
|
|
| 30:14 | Junior Fernandes (Dinamo Zagreb) | Mathieu Debuchy (Arsenal) | Debuchy was running with the ball on the right side of the field near the penalty area. Just as Debuchy tried to dash with ball Fernandes came in from left side and started to HOLD and PULL the left arm of Debuchy, thereby preventing Debuchy from running forward.
According to the law below this should have been a foul but even with the Linesman looking from the side, the extra assistant looking from the goal side and the main referee looking from behind no foul was given. LAW 12 FOULS AND MISCONDUCT PAGE 37 Direct Free Kick “A direct free kick is also awarded to the opposing team if a player commits any of the following three offences: • Holds an opponent • Spits at an opponent • Handles the ball deliberately (except for the goalkeeper within his own penalty area)” NO FOUL FOR ARSENAL. |
-1 (FOUL)
|
|
| 32:02 | Oliver Giroud (Arsenal) | Leonardo Sigali (Dinamo Zagreb) | Giroud pull the hand and some part of the body of Sigali.
CORRECT FOUL FOR DINAMO ZAGREB. |
1 (FOUL)
|
|
| 33:43 | Junior Fernandes (Dinamo Zagreb) | Mathieu Debuchy (Arsenal) | Fernandes failed to kick the ball and kicked Debuchy using his right foot.
CORRECT FOUL FOR ARSENAL. |
1 (FOUL)
|
|
| 35:23 | Jérémy Taravel (Dinamo Zagreb) | Oliver Giroud (Arsenal) | From the Dinamo Zagreb’s Half Ozil played a straight pass to Giroud who was positioned on the edge of the penalty area. Just as the ball was approaching Giroud, Taravel who was behind Giroud GRABBED, HELD and PULLED Giroud by wrapping both of his arms around Giroud’s waist inside the penalty area. Giroud was kept on being pulled away from the ball until he was tripped by Taravel.
This should have been a penalty for Arsenal but even with the linesman looking from the side, the extra assistant looking from the goal side and the main referee looking clearly no penalty was awarded. LAW 14 THE PENALTY KICK PAGE 45 “A penalty kick is awarded against a team that commits one of the ten offences for which a direct free kick is awarded, inside its own penalty area and while the ball is in play.” LAW 12 FOULS AND MISCONDUCT PAGE 37 Direct Free Kick “A direct free kick is awarded to the opposing team if a player commits any of the following seven offences in a manner considered by the referee to be careless, reckless or using excessive force: • Kicks or attempts to kick an opponent • Trips or attempts to trip an opponent • Jumps at an opponent • Charges an opponent • Strikes or attempts to strike an opponent • Pushes an opponent • Tackles an opponent” “A direct free kick is also awarded to the opposing team if a player commits any of the following three offences: • Holds an opponent • Spits at an opponent • Handles the ball deliberately (except for the goalkeeper within his own penalty area)” Also along with penalty, a yellow card should have been awarded against Taravel because he kept on holding Giroud and preventing from gaining possession of the ball. The law mentioned below clearly show that. LAW 12 FOULS AND MISCONDUCT PAGE 120 Holding an Opponent “Holding an opponent includes the act of preventing him from moving past or around using the hands, the arms or the body. If a defender starts holding an attacker outside the penalty area and continues holding him inside the penalty area, the referee must award a penalty kick Disciplinary sanctions • A caution for unsporting behaviour must be issued when a player holds an opponent to prevent him gaining possession of the ball or taking up an advantageous position” NO PENALTY FOR ARSENAL. NO YELLOW CARD AGAINST TARAVEL. |
-3 (PENALTY)
-2 (YELLOW CARD) |
|
| 37:52 | Mikel Arteta (Arsenal) | Marko Pjaca (Dinamo Zagreb) | Arteta failed to kick the ball while tackling and kicked Pjaca slightly on the right foot inside Arsenal’s Half.
CORRECT FOUL FOR DINAMO ZAGREB. |
1 (FOUL)
|
|
| 39:11 | Oliver Giroud (Arsenal) | Ivo Pinto (Dinamo Zagreb) | Pinto took a shot at goal from at least 34-38 yards which was blocked by Gibbs. After the block, the ball then bounced near Pinto and Giroud. Pinto got to the bouncing ball first and touched it away from Giroud. But at the same time Giroud who was coming in with a tackle to kick the ball away from Giroud, failed to kick to the ball and slightly kicked Pinto on the left lower thigh using his left toe-end of the foot. This caused Pinto to fall down. According to the law below a “Kick” or an “Attempt to Kick” without cleanly getting the ball first, results in a direct free kick. The referee correctly awarded a foul for Dinamo Zagreb.
LAW 12 FOULS AND MISCONDUCT PAGE 37 Direct Free Kick “A direct free kick is awarded to the opposing team if a player commits any of the following seven offences in a manner considered by the referee to be careless, reckless or using excessive force: • Kicks or attempts to kick an opponent • Trips or attempts to trip an opponent • Jumps at an opponent • Charges an opponent • Strikes or attempts to strike an opponent • Pushes an opponent • Tackles an opponent” Now after giving the foul, the referee showed Giroud a Second Yellow Card and then a Red Card for having collected two yellow cards. The second yellow card shown to Giroud made no sense at all. Considering the following below there was no way Giroud should have been given a second yellow card. 1. The foul occurred in normal midfield play. There was no promising attack going on by Dinamo Zagreb at that time. 2. There was no dissent, anger or hostility shown by Giroud towards the referee. 3. The tackle made by Giroud was careless at best and was not at all a reckless tackle. Giroud did not swing his foot at Pinto nor did he hit him with full momentum and speed. Giroud tackle was just a slight toe-end kick on the leg of Pinto. 4. This was Giroud’s 3rd foul in the first 40 minutes and both of his fouls earlier were accidental as a consequence of challenging for the ball in the air. Thus he was not persistently infringing the laws of the game. 5. Giroud’s tackle was not a tactical foul that prevented the opponent getting in an advantageous position. LAW 12 FOULS AND MISCONDUCT PAGE 119 Careless, Reckless, Using Excessive Force “Careless” means that the player has shown a lack of attention or consideration when making a challenge or that he acted without precaution. • No further disciplinary sanction is needed if a foul is judged to be careless “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 LAW 12 FOULS AND MISCONDUCT PAGE 39 Cautionable Offences “A player is cautioned and shown the yellow card if he commits any of the following seven offences: • Unsporting behaviour • Dissent by word or action • Persistent infringement of the Laws of the Game • Delaying the restart of play • Failure to respect the required distance when play is restarted with a corner kick, free kick or throw-in • Entering or re-entering the field of play without the referee’s permission • Deliberately leaving the field of play without the referee’s permission” 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: • Commits in a reckless manner one of the seven offences that incur a direct free kick • Commits a foul for the tactical purpose of interfering with or breaking up a promising attack • Holds an opponent for the tactical purpose of pulling the opponent away from the ball or preventing the opponent from getting to the ball” CORRECT FOUL FOR DINAMO ZAGREB. WRONG SECOND YELLOW CARD AGAINST OLIVIER GIROUD. WRONG RED CARD AGAINST OLIVIER GIROUD. |
1 (FOUL)
-2 (YELLOW CARD) -3 (RED CARD) |
|
| Number of Correct Fouls for Arsenal – 4
Number of Correct Fouls for Dinamo Zagreb – 6 Total Number of Correct Fouls – 10 [10 points] |
Number of Incorrect Fouls against Arsenal – 4
Number of Incorrect Fouls against Dinamo Zagreb – 0 Total Number of Incorrect Fouls – 4 [4 points] |
||||
| Number of Correct Yellow Cards for Arsenal – 0
Number of Correct Yellow Cards for Dinamo Zagreb – 1 Total Number of Correct Yellow Cards – 1 [2 points] |
Number of Incorrect Yellow Cards against Arsenal – 3
Number of Incorrect Yellow Cards against Dinamo Zagreb – 0 Total Number of Incorrect Yellow Cards – 3 [6 points] |
||||
| Number of Correct Red Cards for Arsenal – 0
Number of Correct Red Cards for Dinamo Zagreb – 0 Total Number of Correct Red Cards – 0
|
Number of Incorrect Red Cards against Arsenal – 1
Number of Incorrect Red Cards against Dinamo Zagreb – 0 Total Number of Incorrect Red Cards – 1 [3points] |
||||
| Number of Correct Penalties for Arsenal – 0
Number of Correct Penalties for Dinamo Zagreb – 0 Total Number of Correct Penalties – 0
|
Number of Incorrect Penalties against Arsenal – 1
Number of Incorrect Penalties against Dinamo Zagreb – 0 Total Number of Incorrect Penalties – 1 [3points] |
||||
Offsides
| Time | Player Offside | Defending Player | Description & Decision | Points | |
| 21:58 | Paulo Machado (Dinamo Zagreb) | Kieran Gibbs (Arsenal) | When the long pass was played by Taravel, Machado was at least two yards onside of Gibbs. Should not have been an offside, but the linesman Sebastian Gheorghe gave it offside.
WRONG OFFSIDE AGAINST DINAMO ZAGREB. |
-1 (OFFSIDE)
|
|
| 45:27 | Santi Cazorla (Arsenal) | Jérémy Taravel (Dinamo Zagreb) | Cazorla came back from an offside position to receive the ball.
CORRECT OFFSIDE FOR DINAMO ZAGREB. |
1 (OFFSIDE) | |
| Number of Correct Offsides for Arsenal – 0
Number of Correct Offsides for Dinamo Zagreb – 1 Total Number of Correct Offsides – 1 [1 points] |
Number of Incorrect Offsides against Arsenal – 0
Number of Incorrect Offsides against Dinamo Zagreb – 1 Total Number of Incorrect Offsides – 1 [1 points] |
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Goals
| Time | Goal Scorer | Description & Decision | Points | |
| 23:43 | Alex Oxlade Chamberlain (Arsenal)
OWN GOAL |
Pivarić made a run in the box and was not offside, took a shot but Ospina saved it when the ball rebounded off Chamberlain.
CORRECT GOAL FOR DINAMO ZAGREB. |
3 (GOAL) | |
| Number of Correct Goals for Arsenal – 0
Number of Correct Goals for Dinamo Zagreb – 1 Total Number of Correct Goals – 1 [3 points] |
Number of In-Correct Goals against Arsenal – 0
Number of In-Correct Goals against Dinamo Zagreb – 0 Total Number of Incorrect Goals – 0 |
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Goal Kicks, Corners, and Throw-ins
| Time | Type | Last Touch OFF | Description & Decision |
| 00:37 | Throw-in | Jérémy Taravel (Dinamo Zagreb) | |
| 00:57 | Throw-in | Junior Fernandes (Dinamo Zagreb) | |
| 01:17 | Throw-in | Mathieu Debuchy (Arsenal) | |
| 01:35 | Throw-in | Mathieu Debuchy (Arsenal) | |
| 02:22 | Throw-in | Mathieu Debuchy (Arsenal) | |
| 04:09 | Throw-in | Jérémy Taravel (Dinamo Zagreb) | |
| 04:34 | Throw-in | Jérémy Taravel (Dinamo Zagreb) | |
| 04:49 | Throw-in | Josip Pivarić (Dinamo Zagreb) | |
| 04:57 | Throw-in | Domagoj Antolić (Dinamo Zagreb) | |
| 06:38 | Goal Kick | Marko Pjaca (Dinamo Zagreb) | |
| 08:10 | Corner | Leonardo Sigali (Dinamo Zagreb) | |
| 08:44 | Corner | Eduardo Carvalho (Dinamo Zagreb) | |
| 09:28 | Throw-in | Laurent Koscienly (Arsenal) | |
| 10:46 | Goal Kick | Marko Pjaca (Dinamo Zagreb) | |
| 11:16 | Throw-in | Leonardo Sigali (Dinamo Zagreb) | |
| 12:29 | Throw-in | Eduardo Carvalho (Dinamo Zagreb) | |
| 13:48 | Throw-in | Mathieu Debuchy (Arsenal) | |
| 15:16 | Throw-in | Josip Pivarić (Dinamo Zagreb) | |
| 15:47 | Corner | Jérémy Taravel (Dinamo Zagreb) | |
| 16:25 | Goal Kick | Santi Cazorla (Arsenal) | |
| 17:39 | Corner | Eduardo Carvalho (Dinamo Zagreb) | |
| 18:26 | Goal Kick | Mathieu Debuchy (Arsenal) | |
| 19:33 | Goal Kick | Ivo Pinto (Dinamo Zagreb) | |
| 20:39 | Goal Kick | Domagoj Antolić (Dinamo Zagreb) | |
| 25:50 | Throw-in | Josip Pivarić (Dinamo Zagreb) | |
| 26:39 | Throw-in | Mikel Arteta (Arsenal) | |
| 27:06 | Throw-in | Domagoj Antolić (Dinamo Zagreb) | |
| 27:43 | Throw-in | Paulo Machado (Dinamo Zagreb) | |
| 29:09 | Throw-in | Leonardo Sigali (Dinamo Zagreb) | |
| 29:28 | Throw-in | Arijan Ademi (Dinamo Zagreb) | |
| 30:44 | Throw-in | Josip Pivarić (Dinamo Zagreb) | |
| 31:24 | Throw-in | Arijan Ademi (Dinamo Zagreb) | |
| 32:29 | Throw-in | Eduardo Carvalho (Dinamo Zagreb) | |
| 34:22 | Corner | Ivo Pinto (Dinamo Zagreb) | |
| 34:51 | Throw-in | Junior Fernandes (Dinamo Zagreb) | |
| 35:08 | Throw-in | Junior Fernandes (Dinamo Zagreb) | |
| 35:30 | Throw-in | Mikel Arteta (Arsenal) | |
| 41:54 | Goal Kick | Paulo Machado (Dinamo Zagreb) | |
| 42:49 | Goal Kick | Kieran Gibbs (Arsenal) | |
| 43:35 | Throw-in | Arijan Ademi (Dinamo Zagreb) | |
| 44:08 | Throw-in | Junior Fernandes (Dinamo Zagreb) | |
| 44:27 | Throw-in | Santi Cazorla (Arsenal) | |
First Half Referee Report
| Total Number of Correct Decisions for Arsenal – 4
Total Number of Correct Decisions for Dinamo Zagreb – 6+1+1+1 = 9 Total Number of Correct Decisions = 4 + 9 = 13
AFTER POINTS HAVE BEEN WEIGHTED Total Number of Correct Decisions (Weighted) for Arsenal – 4 Total Number of Correct Decisions (Weighted) for Dinamo Zagreb – 6+2+1+3 = 12 Total Number of Correct Decisions (Weighted) = 4 + 12 = 16
|
| Total Number of In-Correct Decisions against Arsenal – 4+3+1+1 = 9
Total Number of In-Correct Decisions against Dinamo Zagreb – 1 Total Number of Incorrect Decisions = 9 + 1 = 10
AFTER POINTS HAVE BEEN WEIGHTED Total Number of In-Correct Decisions (Weighted) against Arsenal – 4+6+3+3 = 16 Total Number of In-Correct Decisions (Weighted) against Dinamo Zagreb – 1 Total Number of In-Correct Decisions (Weighted) = 16 + 1 = 17 |
| First Half Correct Decision Percentage = Total Correct Decisions / Total Decisions (Correct + Incorrect) = 13/(13+10) = 56.5% |
|
First Half Correct Decision Percentage (WEIGHTED) = Total Correct Decisions / Total Decisions (Correct + Incorrect) = 16/(16+17) = 48.4% |
Second Half
Fouls, Advantages, Cards, and Penalties
| Time | Foul by | Foul For | Description & Decision | Points | |
| 46:37 | Domagoj Antolić (Dinamo Zagreb) | Alex Oxlade Chamberlain (Arsenal) | Chamberlain was running with the ball at high speed and had dribbled past two players when Antolić came in from the side CHARGED and PUSHED him down to the ground, thereby interfering and breaking the up Arsenal attack.
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: • Commits in a reckless manner one of the seven offences that incur a direct free kick • Commits a foul for the tactical purpose of interfering with or breaking up a promising attack CORRECT FOUL FOR ARSENAL. CORRECT YELLOW CARD AGAINST ANTOLIĆ |
1 (FOUL)
2 (YELLOW CARD) |
|
| 47:02 | Jérémy Taravel (Dinamo Zagreb) | Mesut Ozil (Arsenal) | Taravel CHARGED at Ozil from behind and pushed him to the ground.
CORRECT FOUL FOR ARSENAL. |
1 (FOUL)
|
|
| 51:37 | Mikel Arteta (Arsenal) | Marko Pjaca (Dinamo Zagreb) | Pjaca was running with the ball when he passed it forward. At the same time Arteta came in very late and made a very late reckless sliding tackle on Pjaca, who fell down after Arteta badly tackled him. This should have been a foul for Dinamo Zagreb and a yellow card against Arteta, But nothing was given by the referee and the play carried on.
LAW 12 FOULS AND MISCONDUCT PAGE 119 Careless, Reckless, Using Excessive Force “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 NO FOUL FOR DINAMO ZAGREB. NO YELLOW CARD AGAINST MIKEL ARTETA. |
-1 (FOUL)
-2 (YELLOW CARD) |
|
| 56:28 | Laurent Koscienly (Arsenal) | Hilal Soudani (Dinamo Zagreb) | Hilal Soudani who was running with the ball just outside the Arsenal’s penalty was sliding tackled by Koscienly cleanly. Koscienly kicked out the ball using his left foot first cleanly and then in the follow-through Soudani fell down. No foul or advantage should have been played but the referee played an advantage against Arsenal.
WRONG ADVANTAGE PLAYED AGAINST ARSENAL. |
-1 (ADVANTAGE) | |
| 62:33 | Mesut Ozil (Arsenal) | Arijan Ademi (Dinamo Zagreb) | Ozil slightly pushed Ademi in the back while he was jumping.
CORRECT FOUL FOR DINAMO ZAGREB. |
1 (FOUL) | |
| 63:12 | Junior Fernandes (Dinamo Zagreb) | Machado played 15-20 yards lobbed pass to Fernandes on the right side of the field. The ball going a bit further away from Fernandes but DELIBERATELY RAISED and STRETCHED his right arm forward to stop the ball and keep possession of it. Referee correctly awarded a foul for Arsenal.
But considering that Fernandes DELIBERATELY RAISED and STRETCHED his right arm forward to stop the ball and keep possession of the ball, a Yellow Card should have been given against Fernandes. But no yellow card was given. 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: • The movement of the hand towards the ball (not the ball towards the hand) • The distance between the opponent and the ball (unexpected ball) • The position of the hand does not necessarily mean that there is an infringement • Touching the ball with an object held in the hand (clothing, shinguard, etc.) counts as an infringement • Hitting the ball with a thrown object (boot, shinguard, etc.) counts as an infringement
Disciplinary sanctions There are circumstances when a caution for unsporting behaviour is required when a player deliberately handles the ball, e.g. when a player: • Deliberately handles the ball to prevent an opponent gaining possession • Attempts to score a goal by deliberately handling the ball A player is sent off, however, if he prevents a goal or an obvious goalscoring opportunity by deliberately handling the ball. This punishment arises not from the act of the player deliberately handling the ball but from the unacceptable and unfair intervention that prevented a goal being scored. CORRECT FOUL FOR ARSENAL. NO YELLOW CARD AGAINST JUNIOR FERNANDES. |
1 (FOUL)
-2 (YELLOW CARD) |
||
| 64:43 | Ivo Pinto
(Dinamo Zagreb) |
Alexis Sanchez (Arsenal) | Sanchez was running with the ball outside the Dinamo Zagreb’s penalty area when Pinto came in sliding and tackled Sanchez very late using his right foot studs up on the right foot of Sanchez. This was a reckless tackle from Pinto.
LAW 12 FOULS AND MISCONDUCT PAGE 119 Careless, Reckless, Using Excessive Force “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. CORRECT YELLOW CARD AGAINST IVO PINTO. |
1 (FOUL)
2 (YELLOW CARD) |
|
| 73:47 | Josip Pivarić (Dinamo Zagreb) | Joel Campbell (Arsenal) | Debuchy played a long throw-in towards Campbell near the corner flag. Campbell tried to receive the ball when Pivarić GRABBED, HELD and PULLED from waist and the right arm of Campbell.
This should have been a foul for Arsenal but even with the linesman looking from the side, the extra assistant looking from the goal side and the main referee looking clearly no foul was awarded. NO FOUL FOR ARSENAL. |
-1 (FOUL) | |
| 75:46 | Paulo Machado (Dinamo Zagreb) | Francis Coquelin (Arsenal) | Coquelin touched the ball forward past Machado in the middle of the field, when Machado came in very late and kicked Coquelin on the right foot with his right foot studs up. Coquelin fell down very badly after the tackle. Referee correctly gave a foul.
But a yellow card should have been given against Machado for his recklessness. Nothing was given by the referee. LAW 12 FOULS AND MISCONDUCT PAGE 119 Careless, Reckless, Using Excessive Force “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 PAULO MACHADO. |
1 (FOUL)
-2 (YELLOW CARD) |
|
| 79:50 | Josip Pivarić (Dinamo Zagreb) | Mathieu Debuchy (Arsenal) | Debuchy looked to make a run off the ball on the right side of the field, when Pivarić blocked his run by HOLDING the right arm of Debuchy.
This should have been a foul for Arsenal but even with the linesman looking from the side, the extra assistant looking from the goal side and the main referee looking clearly no foul was awarded. NO FOUL FOR ARSENAL. |
-1 (FOUL) | |
| 80:35 | Josip Pivarić (Dinamo Zagreb) | Joel Campbell (Arsenal) | When Campbell received the ball near the right side of the field, Pivarić came from behind and GRABBED and HELD Campbell using both of his arm around Campbell’s body.
This should have been a foul for Arsenal but even with the linesman looking from the side, the extra assistant looking from the goal side and the main referee looking clearly no foul was awarded. NO FOUL FOR ARSENAL. |
-1 (FOUL) | |
| 83:34 | Francis Coquelin (Arsenal) | Marko Rog (Dinamo Zagreb) | Coquelin and Rog were challenging for the header inside Dinamo Zagreb’s Half. Coquelin jumped up high in the air and headed the ball firmly and cleanly before Rog.
Coquelin’s jump to head the ball did not involve the following for it to be considered a foul. · Coquelin jumped in the air without any support from the challenging player Rog. · Coquelin did not used any trailing or leading arms on the challenging player Rog. · Coquelin did not jumped on the back of Rog before heading the ball. · Coquelin did not pushed Rog down or away from the ball. · Coquelin did not kicked Rog while challenging for the header. · Rog fell down after he failed win to the header, This should not have been a foul at all. But the referee gave a foul. WRONG FOUL AGAINST ARSENAL. |
-1 (FOUL) | |
| 83:57 | Joel Campbell (Arsenal) | Josip Pivarić (Dinamo Zagreb) | Campbell tripped Pivarić from behind inside the Arsenal’s Half.
CORRECT FOUL FOR DINAMO ZAGREB. |
1 (FOUL)
|
|
| 85:40 | Arijan Ademi (Dinamo Zagreb) | Alexis Sanchez (Arsenal) | Ademi tried to push Sanchez off the ball by pushing him in the back.
CORRECT FOUL FOR ARSENAL. |
1 (FOUL)
|
|
| 86:12 | Joel Campbell (Arsenal) | Marko Pjaca (Dinamo Zagreb) | Pjaca who was running forward at high speed on a counter attack was tripped very late from behind by Campbell. Campbell committed a tactical foul by breaking up Dinamo Zagreb’s attack.
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: • Commits in a reckless manner one of the seven offences that incur a direct free kick • Commits a foul for the tactical purpose of interfering with or breaking up a promising attack CORRECT FOUL FOR DINAMO ZAGREB. CORRECT YELLOW CARD AGAINST JOEL CAMPBELL. |
1 (FOUL)
2 (YELLOW CARD) |
|
| 88:12 | Hilal Soudani (Dinamo Zagreb) | Laurent Koscienly (Arsenal) | Soudani tripped Koscienly from behind near the left corner flag area.
CORRECT FOUL FOR ARSENAL. |
1 (FOUL)
|
|
| 89:44 | Marko Rog (Dinamo Zagreb) | Joel Campbell (Arsenal) | A very late lunging tackle from Rog on Campbell inside Arsenal’s Half. Rog came in with both feet and tackled Campbell on the left foot.
LAW 12 FOULS AND MISCONDUCT PAGE 119 Careless, Reckless, Using Excessive Force “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. CORRECT YELLOW CARD AGAINST MARKO ROG. |
1 (FOUL)
2 (YELLOW CARD) |
|
| 90:09 | Hilal Soudani (Dinamo Zagreb) | Alexis Sanchez (Arsenal) | Soudani blocked the path of Sanchez by pushing him down inside the Dinamo Zagreb’s Half.
CORRECT FOUL FOR ARSENAL. |
1 (FOUL)
|
|
| 90:54 | Gabriel Paulista (Arsenal) | Jérémy Taravel (Dinamo Zagreb) | When free kick was delivered in to the penalty area by Ozil, everyone in the box was ready to challenge for the header. Gabriel and Taravel were alongside each other. Both players didn’t jump and failed to head the ball. There was no arm pulling, kicking, pushing, shoving, holding or any other foul related offence going on the in the box by Gabriel or by Taravel. The play should have carried on. But the referee out of nowhere gave a foul against Arsenal.
WRONG FOUL AGAINST ARSENAL. |
-1 (FOUL)
|
|
| 93:26 | Joel Campbell (Arsenal) | Josip Pivarić (Dinamo Zagreb) | Campbell tripped Pivarić inside the center of the field.
CORRECT FOUL FOR DINAMO ZAGREB. |
1 (FOUL)
|
|
| Number of Correct Fouls for Arsenal – 9
Number of Correct Fouls for Dinamo Zagreb – 4 Total Number of Correct Fouls – 13 [13 points]
|
Number of In-Correct Fouls against Arsenal – 5
Number of In-Correct Fouls against Dinamo Zagreb – 1 Total Number of In-Correct Fouls – 6 [6 points]
|
||||
| · Number of Correct Advantages for Arsenal – 0
· Number of Correct Advantages for Dinamo Zagreb – 0 · Total Number of Correct Advantages – 0
|
· Number of In-Correct Advantages against Arsenal – 1
· Number of In-Correct Advantages against Dinamo Zagreb – 0 · Total Number of In-Correct Advantages – 1 [1points]
|
||||
| · Number of Correct Yellow Cards for Arsenal – 3
· Number of Correct Yellow Cards for Dinamo Zagreb – 1 · Total Number of Correct Yellow Cards – 4 [8points]
|
· Number of In-Correct Yellow Cards against Arsenal – 2
· Number of In-Correct Yellow Cards against Dinamo Zagreb – 1 · Total Number of In-Correct Yellow Cards – 3 [6points]
|
||||
Offsides
| Time | Player Offside | Defending Player | Description & Decision | Points | |
| 53:26 | Mesut Ozil (Arsenal) | Jérémy Taravel (Dinamo Zagreb) | Chamberlain played a through ball to Ozil, who making a run at high speed near the last defending man Taravel. The moment the through ball was played by Chamberlain, Ozil’s left knee was a step behind the left foot of Taravel. Thus Ozil was not offside. Ozil received the through pass and went 1-on-1 with the goal keeper and scored a goal, which was disallowed by the referee.
This should not have been an offside against Arsenal and play should have carried on, but the linesman Sebastian Gheorghe gave offside. WRONG OFFSIDE AGAINST ARSENAL. |
-1 (OFFSIDE) | |
| 55:42 | Mesut Ozil (Arsenal) | Ivo Pinto
(Dinamo Zagreb) |
Chamberlain played a through pass to Ozil inside the Dinamo Zagreb’s penalty area. The moment the pass was played Ozil was well half a step onside behind the last defending player Pinto.
This should not have been an offside against Arsenal and play should have carried on, but the linesman Sebastian Gheorghe gave offside. WRONG OFFSIDE AGAINST ARSENAL. |
-1 (OFFSIDE) | |
| 60:17 | Hilal Soudani (Dinamo Zagreb) | Gabriel Paulista (Arsenal) | Soudani was at least 6 yards ahead in an offside position.
CORRECT OFFSIDE FOR ARSENAL. |
1 (OFFSIDE) | |
| 68:50 | Theo Walcott (Arsenal) | Ivo Pinto
(Dinamo Zagreb) |
Walcott was marginally in an offside position when the pass was played.
CORRECT OFFSIDE FOR DINAMO ZAGREB. |
1 (OFFSIDE) | |
| 74:19 | Theo Walcott (Arsenal) | Jérémy Taravel (Dinamo Zagreb) | When Cazorla made the pass, Walcott was in line with the last defending player Taravel. This should not have been an offside against Arsenal and play should have carried on, but the linesman Sebastian Gheorghe gave offside.
LAW 11 OFFSIDE PAGE 36 Offside Position “It is not an offence in itself to be in an offside position. A player is in an offside position if: • He is nearer to his opponents’ goal line than both the ball and the second-last opponent
A player is not in an offside position if: • He is in his own half of the field of play or • He is level with the second-last opponent or • He is level with the last two opponents”
WRONG OFFSIDE AGAINST ARSENAL. |
-1 (OFFSIDE) | |
| 84:25 | Leonardo Sigali (Dinamo Zagreb) | Gabriel Paulista (Arsenal) | Sigali was in an offside position when the free kick was delivered.
CORRECT OFFSIDE FOR ARSENAL. |
1 (OFFSIDE) | |
| · Number of Correct Offsides for Arsenal – 2
· Number of Correct Offsides for Dinamo Zagreb – 1 · Total Number of Correct Offsides – 3 [3 points]
|
· Number of In-Correct Offsides against Arsenal – 3
· Number of In-Correct Offsides against Dinamo Zagreb – 0 · Total Number of Incorrect Offsides – 3 [3 points]
|
||||
Goals
| Time | Goal Scorer | Description & Decision | Points | |
| 53:31 | Mesut Ozil (Arsenal) | REFER to the Offside at Minute 53:31. Ozil received the through pass and went 1-on-1 with the goal keeper and scored a goal, which was disallowed by the referee after the linesman Sebastian Gheorghe had raised a flag for offside, which was not an OFFSIDE.
WRONGLY DISALLOWED ARSENAL’S GOAL. |
-3 (GOAL) | |
| 57:03 | Junior Fernandes (Dinamo Zagreb) | Machado took the corner kick and Fernandes cleanly headed the ball in to goal. No foul involved. Clean Goal.
CORRECT GOAL FOR DINAMO ZAGREB. |
3 (GOAL) | |
| 78:10 | Theo Walcott (Arsenal) | Sanchez delivered a pass to Walcott, who was level just in line with Taravel. He took a shot and scored a clean goal.
CORRECT GOAL FOR ARSENAL. |
3 (GOAL) | |
| · Number of Correct Goals for Arsenal – 1
· Number of Correct Goals for Dinamo Zagreb – 1 · Total Number of Correct Goals – 2 [6 points]
|
· Number of In-Correct Goals against Arsenal – 1
· Number of In-Correct Goals against Dinamo Zagreb – 0 · Total Number of Incorrect Goals – 1 [3 points]
|
|||
Goal Kicks, Corners, and Throw-ins
| Time | Type | Last Touch OFF | Description & Decision |
| 45:36 | Corner | Laurent Koscienly (Arsenal) | |
| 46:08 | Throw-in | Leonardo Sigali (Dinamo Zagreb) | |
| 48:08 | Throw-in | Hilal Soudani (Dinamo Zagreb) | |
| 48:41 | Throw-in | Hilal Soudani (Dinamo Zagreb) | |
| 50:25 | Throw-in | Eduardo Carvalho (Dinamo Zagreb) | |
| 52:04 | Corner | Arijan Ademi (Dinamo Zagreb) | |
| 54:15 | Throw-in | Mikel Arteta (Arsenal) | |
| 55:18 | Throw-in | Jérémy Taravel (Dinamo Zagreb) | |
| 56:31 | Corner | Mathieu Debuchy (Arsenal) | |
| 58:56 | Goal Kick | Alex Oxlade Chamberlain (Arsenal) | |
| 61:59 | Goal Kick | Junior Fernandes (Dinamo Zagreb) | |
| 66:14 | Goal Kick | Alexis Sanchez (Arsenal) | |
| 66:43 | Throw-in | Mathieu Debuchy (Arsenal) | |
| 67:10 | Throw-in | Mathieu Debuchy (Arsenal) | |
| 71:43 | Throw-in | Hilal Soudani (Dinamo Zagreb) | |
| 72:38 | Throw-in | Domagoj Antolić (Dinamo Zagreb) | |
| 73:40 | Throw-in | Jérémy Taravel (Dinamo Zagreb) | |
| 76:32 | Throw-in | Laurent Koscienly (Arsenal) | |
| 81:18 | Throw-in | Francis Coquelin (Arsenal) | |
| 82:31 | Throw-in | Jérémy Taravel (Dinamo Zagreb) | |
| 83:02 | Throw-in | Francis Coquelin (Arsenal) | |
| 84:56 | Throw-in | Mesut Ozil (Arsenal) | |
| 85:21 | Throw-in | Ivo Pinto (Dinamo Zagreb) | |
| 87:12 | Throw-in | Ivo Pinto (Dinamo Zagreb) | |
| 91:33 | Throw-in | Marko Rog (Dinamo Zagreb) | |
| 92:01 | Throw-in | Marko Rog (Dinamo Zagreb) | |
| 92:22 | Corner | Filip Benković (Dinamo Zagreb) | |
| 92:37 | Goal Kick | Gabriel Paulista (Arsenal) | |
| 94:05 | Throw-in | Eduardo Carvalho (Dinamo Zagreb) | |
| 94:50 | Throw-in | David Ospina (Arsenal) | |
Second Half Referee Report
| Total Number of Correct Decisions for Arsenal – 9+3+2+1 = 15
Total Number of Correct Decisions for Dinamo Zagreb – 4+1+1+1 = 7 Total Number of Correct Decisions = 15 + 7 = 22
AFTER POINTS HAVE BEEN WEIGHTED Total Number of Correct Decisions (Weighted) for Arsenal – 9+6+2+3 = 20 Total Number of Correct Decisions (Weighted) for Dinamo Zagreb – 4+2+1+3 = 10 Total Number of Correct Decisions (Weighted) = 20 + 10 = 30
|
| Total Number of Incorrect Decisions against Arsenal – 5+1+2+3+1 = 12
Total Number of Incorrect Decisions against Dinamo Zagreb – 1+1 = 2 Total Number of Incorrect Decisions = 12 +2 = 14
AFTER POINTS HAVE BEEN WEIGHTED
Total Number of In-Correct Decisions (Weighted) against Arsenal – 5+1+4+3+3 = 16 Total Number of In-Correct Decisions (Weighted) against Dinamo Zagreb – 1+2 = 3 Total Number of In-Correct Decisions (Weighted) = 16 + 3 = 19 |
| Second Half Correct Decision Percentage = Total Correct Decisions / Total Decisions (Correct + InCorrect) = 22/(22+14) = 61.1% |
| Second Half Correct Decision Percentage (WEIGHTED) = Total Correct Decisions / Total Decisions (Correct + InCorrect) = 30/(30+19) = 61.2% |
Full Time (1st Half + 2nd Half) Referee Report
| Total Number of Correct Decisions for Arsenal – 4+15 = 19
Total Number of Correct Decisions for Dinamo Zagreb – 9+7 = 16 Total Number of Correct Decisions = 19 + 16 = 35
AFTER POINTS HAVE BEEN WEIGHTED Total Number of Correct Decisions (Weighted) for Arsenal – 4+20 = 24 Total Number of Correct Decisions (Weighted) for Dinamo Zagreb – 12+10 = 22 Total Number of Correct Decisions (Weighted) = 24 + 22 = 46 |
| Total Number of Incorrect Decisions against Arsenal – 9+12 = 21
Total Number of Incorrect Decisions against Dinamo Zagreb – 1+2 = 3 Total Number of Incorrect Decisions = 21 + 3 = 24
AFTER POINTS HAVE BEEN WEIGHTED Total Number of Incorrect Decisions (Weighted) against Arsenal – 16+16 = 32 Total Number of Incorrect Decisions (Weighted) against Dinamo Zagreb – 1+3 = 4 Total Number of Incorrect Decisions (Weighted) = 32 + 4 = 36 |
| Full Match Correct Decision Percentage = Total Correct Decisions / Total Decisions (Correct + InCorrect) = 35/(35+24) = 59.3% |
| Full Match Correct Decision Percentage (WEIGHTED) = Total Correct Decisions / Total Decisions (Correct + InCorrect) = 46/(46+36) = 56.0% |
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 COLOUR.
NOTE: The word ‘FOR’ is used to show IN FAVOUR 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.
Referees underperforming is not really the privilege of PL referees as we can see from this review.
This was what one could call a good old fashioned home referee performance. Or a Eastern block home referee performance as someone called it last week.
The Romanian referee certainly seemed very much to like the home side. There was hardly any leniency towards Arsenal players in this match. And the way he let Giroud being treated by the defenders was amazing to see but not really surprising as we see it far too often. Giroud is big and strong so he can be pushed, kicked and pulled all over the place without a foul being called. But my oh my when Giroud tries to do something back. Then there is no room for any errors.
The first foul for which he was booked afterwards for dissent was never a foul. Giroud cleanly wins the header and only after the header because of his jump he more or less lands on the Zagreb player. This was as accidental as an accident can be. Giroud was very pissed off by this and I can have some sympathy because it was not the first time the ref had a go at Giroud but showing your dissent so openly is inviting yellow cards and certainly in Europe.
The assistants also gladly made a mess of some decisions and so we saw more than one wrong offside decision.
I constantly had the feeling that the ref was determined to not give Arsenal anything in this match. The final confirmation of this came in extra time when he invented a foul after a free kick for Arsenal in the Zagreb penalty area.
His total score was under 60% with getting 59% without weight and 56% with weight. Completely unacceptable.
Thanks for all the time and hard work…….again
Thanks for the effort you have put in again, a fairly typical anti-Arsenal performance of the type we see week in week out in the PL and, regrettably, at times in the CL also.
Why? Is the question – if we look at the bigger picture Italy are pushing hard for the fourth CL spot. One wonders if Type 3 match fixing is rearing its ugly head again? Just a thought as none of the English teams did well.
Andrew, you raise a damned good point there! Unfortunately they know a few things over there about sending the right ref for the right match…. Is Platini still in love with Italian football?
Ever since Platini became UEFA’s head, there has been only one team that gets continuous favors from the referees, Barcelona. Any team that plays Barcelona in the knockout stages either gets a red card or concedes a penalty.
Walter and Usama
“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”
I struggle with this rule and its interpretation. Too often I see players sent off for what amounts to two fouls. Nobody is so good they win every challenge. It would be much appreciated if you could clarify:
A player makes a genuine attempt to play the ball. His opponent is slightly too quick and the player catches him on the foot/leg. No malice intended. Why do some referees book for this and others not?
For example, on Saturday. Santi Cazorlas second booking was for me not a booking. I accept Cesc rolled around like he had been shot but it was clear that both players went for the ball, there was no excessive force and no deliberate attempt to foul.
Should this be an automatic booking?
Also, what is classed as persistent fouling? 3/4/5? It seems every official has a different idea.
Proudkev,
That is all down to the interpretation of the ref alas. Maybe we should think about adapting a basketball system where having made 3 fouls is an automatic yellow card?
ProudKev,
Fifa and their people have done very minimal job to clearly explain the laws and rules. From what I can understand about the “reckless” issue, reckless tackles or challenges mostly involve going in to the opponent in such a way that consists of:
1. Clear and hard contact of foot or leg, that may pose danger to the opponent.
2. Or making such a challenge that you can’t pull out of and are sure to come into certain hard contact with the opponent.
Secondly, you talked about the “no malice intended foul but getting a yellow car tackle”. This may involve two situations:
1. Either the player committed a Tactical foul to stop a clear attack of the opponent.
2. Or he prevents the opponent from the getting possession of the ball by means of pulling, pushing, or holding.
As for Cazorla’s second yellow card, it was a correct one. Yes I know that Fabregas acted as if he was mauled by a bear, but that becomes of zero importance when challenge made clearly fulfill yellow card criteria.
Here Fabregas reached the ball first and kicked it away from Cazorla, meanwhile Cazorla was sliding in at high speed and was very late and missed the ball. After he missed the ball, both of Cazorla’s foot (studs not shouwing) came in firm contact at speed with Fabregas’ ankle and that was a reckless challenge sadly.
Finally for the persistent fouling. Again the Fifa people have done nothing at all explaining this rule. So I think Walter knows best. For me if in a period of 10-20 minutes a player commits 3 fouls he should yellow carded. And any player that commits 4 fouls any time in the match should be yellow carded.
Proudkev,
I will tell something interesting, over the course of the whole match of Chlesea – Arsenal, Chelsea committed tons of fouls (some given + many not given).
Nearly every Chelsea player committed at least 2-3 fouls. Except for Ivanovic who made 4 fouls and was yellow carded.
Fabregas – 3 fouls
Matic – 2
Cahill – 3
Ramires – 2
Azpiliililioiucutuea – 2
Oscar – 2
Hazard – 2
And Mr. Diego Costa and did not made a single foul because …….. He made 6 red card offences and 3 yellow card offences 😀
This ref must be dean’s twin brother, separated at birth.
Thanks for the writeup Walter, I only had known that Arsenal had lost (Dawson Creek has never heard of Champion’s League). It’s nice to know that the referee had nothing to do with the final result (sarcasm).
—
Looking through Google News, there are relatively few English language news articles recently about Ovidiu Haţegan. Goal.com was conducting a poll to get opinions on Giroud’s second yellow. Few negative headlines in searching for news about Mike Dean and his lack of officiating and his expertice in not looking in the right place.
—
The main Arsenal website is also pointing to a survey, which could see Arsenal win a website of the year award.
—
I see on the Arsenal site, that Arsenal Ladies
Danielle Carter got a hat trick for England. Congratulations.
—
Football corruption. Valcke (FIFA), Venezuela, Figueredo (FIFA), Warner (FIFA), Sudan, South Africa, Cayman Islands and New Zealand recently in the news for corruption in football allegations.
A very fine detailed report, a really excellent study.
One of the worst ref performances of recent times – I wonder if Hategan is in some way related to Gollum51 – either way he performs to the same type of anti Arsenal agenda.
It was unfortunate (or more than unfortunate) for Arsenal to be subjected to two such inferior referees in subsequent matches.
I am beginning to wonder if our superb pre season form and beating Chelski Cheats in the Charity Shield put the frighterers on certain people in the establishment – and/or persons who had already placed heavy bets – the especially appalling refereeing being a consequence.
On a separate issue, I note the Odious One is still complaining about the injustice done to his pet psycho – no sign of repentance from the Odious One – or admission that Costa could and probably should have had a much longer sanction. The arrogance in the Chelski camp runs on unabated!
Usama and Walter, thanks.
I am a bit old school in so much as I really dont like 11 v 10 games. I want football to be decided by the best 11 on the pitch.Of course, I want thuggery banished and players like Costa out of the game. Not just the violence but the card waving and diving. Instant booking lets get rid of the cheats.
The problem is the inconsistency. I agree very much with Walters idea that lets say three fouls = Booking. The players, managers and match officials know this so there can be no error. However, that should not prevent a reckless tackle form being a yellow. And if a refereee suspects a team is committing ‘rotational fouls’, then we need to be able to cover that.
The explanation about Cazorla I understand. My own opinion is that we have to be careful that we arent penalising players for making genuine attempts to play the ball, wehere there is no excessive force used.
The irony for me is that a technical player like Cazorla is banned from the field of play yet players cheating and acting like thugs remain. This is for me where football is making a huge mistake. I accept the rules regarding Cazorla but do not agree he should have been sent off, despite what the rules say. I want the dirty players and the cheats to be eradicated from the game and banished from the pitch, not the skilful footballers who’s key ability is in other areas than tackling.
Hope I explained that clearly.
Kev
Excellent report. Thank you.
Excellent Report.
Welcome back Gord. Missed your comments & info.
Thanks Menace. My ability to get back here in the next month or so will be hit or miss. I am moving at the end of the month, and to get Internet access I need to set up a Ubiquiti Nanostation PTP to a location about 10km away.
It sure was nice to see the win against Spuds. Zagreb and Chelsea were disappointing. But, hopefully things improve.
Very detailed report with clear explanations and references to the rules.
Terrible refereeing which people watching the match noted at the time. We lost. Then we lost against Chelsea. Two terrible ref performances with unfair results.
This fact did not stop the pundits and commentators mentioning repeatedly and gloatingly that we had lost two matches on the trot before and during our match against Spurs. Which, with eleven players on the pitch, we won.
As a Romanian, I wish I could have more background on Ovidiu Hategan, unfortunately the state of the Romanian league football is so deplorable that I lost almost all interest years ago.
I was quite surprised that a Romanian ref is appointed at a Croatian team’s CL game. Smelled bad from the get-go. As Josif mentioned, Dinamo Zagreb have a history of corruption that goes way back. The other half of the story is that the Romanian football is also littered with corruption, the glorious memory of Mircea Sandu, former head of the FRF (the Romanian FA) still lives on. The most likely scenario for me is that the Croatian club used more or less direct connections with the Romanian refs’ corpus to ensure a good result in this match. They likely chose this match because Arsenal are more vulnerable than Bayern, and also because it was the fix with the biggest ROI – fixing the match with Olympiakos would have raised more suspicions, plus that one is the easier to win on home soil. Now, Arsenal can do Dinamo Z a favor by defeating Olympiakos in Greece and ensuring Dinamo qualifies for the Europa League.
As I said, I didn’t follow very closely the aftermath reactions in Romania, so I couldn’t tell whether Hategan has suffered any kind of consequences. My (moderately educated) guess would be no, but at this time it’s just a speculation.
Thanks for this amazingly detailed review and all the work that went into it.
Two games in a week, two bent refs.
Florian
September 24, 2015 at 10:16 pm
I take it you are not in Romania.
colario,
I moved to Bellevue, WA, near Seattle 9 years ago. I still keep contact with a few friends there, but as far as going back to Romania, it doesn’t happen very often, as it’s a 10 hour time shift, and I spend minimum 2 days flying.
I said before the game that appointing an Eastern European (Romainian) to officiate another eastern european side (Croatia) was a bad decision. We all knew this. Is this just a stupid decison or is there more to it? The one thing I do know (and I dont need the stats to tell me) is that he was biased.
I live near Zalau.
Usama and Walter – Job well done. One can see the bias watching the game but seeing it in black & white confirms what the eye sees. And it’s worse. It seemed to me that the ref was going to show Arsenal he was in charge from the off. Must have consulted the unPGMO for advice. Thanks for all your hard work.
colario,
My father has a good friend in Simleul Silvaniei, in that county. Been there once, many years ago.
proudkev,
It’s not so much that the ref was Eastern European – many of them are perfectly capable of a fair officiating. The appointment was dodgy knowing the club and its track record (they were able to fix that Olympique Lyon match ffs).
Florian că este incredibil Eu locuiesc în Simleul Silvaniei
colario,
Small world! Now it’s even harder to resist coming back to Romania 🙂
colario,
What a small world! Now it’s even harder to resist coming back to Romania 🙂