Behind the Whistle: Former referee Chris Foy analyzes decisions from the Championship, League One and League Two | Football News
In this edition of Behind the Whistle, former Premier League referee Chris Foy looks at a selection of key match decisions from games across the festive season in the Sky Bet Championship, League One and League Two.
Behind the Whistle aims to give supporters of EFL clubs an insight into the decision-making factors and also clarify some appeals to understand how the laws of the game are interpreted.
As part of a regular show on Sky Sports after a matchday, Foy will be here to take you through some refereeing issues in the EFL…
Sky Bet Championship
Coventry City 4-0 Plymouth Argyle
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The Plymouth player goes inside and fails to win the ball, however the referee does not award a penalty
incident – Possible penalty, foul (Coventry City)
Decision – No Penalty (Coventry City)
Foy says: “For me, the referee is misinterpreting what happened here as a penalty should have been awarded to Coventry City.
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Highlights of the Sky Bet Championship match between Coventry City and Plymouth Argyle
“Although the referee is in a good position, looking at the action from an unobstructed angle, despite a packed box and a fast-moving phase of play, he fails to spot the Plymouth Argyle No39’s foul, which I consider to be reckless.
“The Plymouth player slips into his tackle at pace and fails to win the ball and is therefore very fortunate not to be penalized or cautioned here.”
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Burnley found themselves reduced to ten men late on against Stoke for an off-the-ball incident
incident – Possible red card, violent conduct (Burnley)
Decision – Red card, violent conduct (Burnley)
Foy says: “This is an excellent example of a red card for violent behavior and the type of incident we do not want to see in football.
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Watch the highlights of the Sky Bet Championship match between Burnley and Stoke
“As the Burnley player goes to take the ball from the corner, he deliberately stands on Stoke City’s No22.
“Clearly this was a deliberate unfootballing action that could have been avoided. Given the degree of force, a straight red is absolutely the right decision and an excellent point from the referee.”
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The referee only gives yellow for this high challenge, did he deserve the red card?
incident – Possible red card, high leg (Derby County)
Decision – No red card (Derby County)
Foy says: “I think the referee makes that decision as it could easily have been shown as a red card.
“Even though the Derby County player’s leg is clearly up, he has his eyes on the ball the whole time and doesn’t nail his opponent.
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Highlights from the Sky Bet Championship match between Derby County and Leeds United
“It is clearly a bookable offence, but the fact that he catches his opponent with the top of his foot and not his cleats and this is a genuine attempt to win the ball is enough to suggest that he does not deserve a straight red. The referee sees it well and correctly warns him for a reckless challenge.”
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Watford denied a penalty then a corner against Sheffield United
incident – Possible penalty (Watford)
Decision – Penalty not awarded (Watford)
Foy says: “This is an excellent call by the referee as he gets both elements of the decision right. Firstly, he correctly identifies that the tackle in the box by the Sheffield United player is fair and that he wins the ball.
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Highlights of the Sky Bet Championship match between Watford and Sheffield United
“Secondly, he gives a goal-kick, which could make people think there is no touch on the ball, so why not a penalty. What is really happening is that the Sheffield United player is playing the ball against the opposition of.
“No penalty and goal kick is the absolutely correct result and an excellent decision overall, highlighting the importance of both positioning and awareness.”
Sky Bet League One
Birmingham City 2-0 Burton Albion
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The referee awarded Birmingham a penalty, but was Burton unlucky not to be fouled?
incident – Possible penalty, foul (Birmingham City)
Decision – Penalty awarded (Birmingham City)
Foy says: “In my view Burton Albion were extremely unlucky to concede a penalty here as I don’t think the necessary criteria are met to award a spot.
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Highlights of the Sky Bet League One match between Birmingham City and Burton Albion
“Birmingham’s No14 clearly moves along the path of the Burton Albion defender, ‘backing’ for the normally jumping defender, without jumping himself, and thus creates the contact which sees the striker fall to the ground under weight of the defender. .
“For me, the contact is instigated by the Birmingham player and he is actually the one who should be penalized here. The correct decision would have been to give Burton Albion a defensive foul.”
Bristol Rovers 2-3 Leyton Orient
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Bristol Rovers thought they had leveled in the dying minutes but the referee disallowed the goal for handball
incident – Goal scored, possible handball (Leyton Orient)
Decision – Goal disallowed (Leyton Orient)
Foy says: “This is another example of excellent awareness and accurate judgment from the referee as he spots the Bristol Rovers No24 using his arm to guide the ball into the goal at the back post.
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Watch highlights of the Sky Bet League One match between Bristol Rovers and Leyton Orient
“With the home side desperate for an equalizer in the final minutes of the game, the full penalty can make it difficult for the referee but, thanks to its positioning, he can spot the deliberate use of the arm and call the foul.
“The only thing that should have been different is that the offender should also have shown caution for the intentional handball offense.”
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Exeter conceded a goal, but should Crawley feel hard done by for a potential foul on their keeper?
incident – Goal scored, possible foul (Exeter City)
Decision – Goal awarded (Exeter City)
Foy says: “Crawley Town were unlucky not to be awarded a defensive foul here, for me.
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Highlights of the Sky Bet League One match between Exeter City and Crawley Town
As the corner kicks in, the Exeter City No2 leans on the Crawley Town keeper. The contact clearly affects the goalkeeper and prevents him from reaching the ball.
“The lean from Exeter’s No2 meets the threshold for a foul, and therefore should have been spotted by the referee and penalized, disallowing the goal.”
Sky Bet League Two
Colchester United 2-0 Gillingham
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Colchester thought they had scored against Gillingham but the goal was ruled offside… did the assistant referee make the right call?
incident – Goal Scored, Possible Offside (Colchester United)
Decision – Goal disallowed for offside (Colchester United)
Foy says: “This is an excellent decision by the assistant referee here, who correctly identified the goalscorer at the back post as being in an offside position.
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Highlights of the Sky Bet League Two match between Colchester and Gillingham
“Even though it’s very tight, you can tell from the pitch markings that the Colchester United player at the back post is leaning forward and therefore his head is in an offside position.
“The assistant has the advantage of being on his near side, but it’s still an excellent decision, showing first-class awareness and judgment, especially considering how far the ball crosses the box.”
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Barrow thought he had scored after the ball was cleared by a Salford defender but it was ruled offside
incident – Goal Scored, Possible Offside (Barrow)
Decision – Goal disallowed for offside (Barrow)
Foy says: “From an educational point of view, this is a good offside decision, and one that the match officials are aware of here.
“At the point where the initial shot goes in, Barrow’s No11, who scores, is standing in an offside position.
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Highlights of the Sky Bet League Two match between Salford City and Barrow
“The assistant referee correctly penalizes the striker for offside when the ball is deflected to him by a defender, after which the striker continues to score. The striker’s actions were not a deliberate play on the ball. However, even if they were, the offside would it still stood as the defender saved a shot on goal when he made contact with the ball.
Therefore, the striker would have gained an advantage by being in that position and would be penalized for offside, in the same way as he would have been if the ball had gone to him from a save by the goalkeeper, having been offside at the time it was hit the opening shot.”
2025-01-08 12:20:00
