Graham Poll: We should highlight when refs get it right

Updated: 19:01 EST, 21 November 2008

Get this: There has been some outstanding refereeing recently.

You didn’t read about it because… well, you only know about referees when they make a mistake or a manager decides to deflect attention from another defeat, or a supporter rings into 5 Live or talkSPORT to complain about a decision (often correct) given against his team.

• At the Emirates, Mike Riley played a superb but risky advantage when Cesc Fabregas caught Gareth Barry with a late, reckless challenge which was worthy of a caution. Riley signalled that play should continue, the ball was moved swiftly upfield into the penalty area and Aston Villa were correctly awarded a spot-kick. Riley returned to Fabregas and issued the yellow card.
  

• A similar advantage was played by Rob Styles immediately before the cross which led to Dirk Kuyt’s goal for Liverpool at Bolton.  
• Howard Webb allowed play to continue after a clear foul by an Everton player in the build-up to Middlesbrough’s goal at Goodison Park

These examples are not the only ones but highlight the fact referees are not just making ‘Mickey Mouse’ mistakes; in all three cases, they would have been entitled to stop play and award free-kicks.

However, they all used the experience they have gained over the years and made superb decisions, which enhanced the matches they controlled and the entertainment.

I wonder if any of the managers who benefited from those decisions went to see the referees to thank them for the wisdom of their experience, or highlighted the refereeing excellence in their press conferences? How difficult would it have been for just one
of them to come out with praise for a change? And, given that two of the games were live on Sky, couldn’t they have highlighted good refereeing in their match coverage?

One thought for the Premier League in their continuing quest for respect and understanding: stop the ban on referees speaking to the media and suggest that your broadcast partners ask referees about good decisions.

Often, controversy comes about from a lack of understanding, which could be cleared up by allowing referees to give the reasons why certain decisions were made. And if they are wrong, would it be such a bad thing if referees actually admitted to the odd human error?

That would allow referees to be seen as caring human beings who get things right far more often than is perceived.

The referee's clinic

Rory Delap has made throw-ins fashionable and Alan Brown is among many readers who would like to know the criteria for taking a legal throw-in. 

Trend-setter: Delap launches another monster throw-in

Law 15 states that, at the moment of delivering the ball, the thrower must face the field of play, have part of each foot either on the touchline or on the ground outside the touchline, use both hands and deliver the ball from behind and over his head.

Opponents must not stand within two metres from the point at which the throw-in is taken. 

Did you see that?

Paul Durkin suggested the FA could overturn the incorrect second yellow for Emmerson Boyce if Andre Marriner sent a letter with his reports.

The FA told referees a long time ago this was not possible and that all yellow cards must stand unless there is a case of mistaken identity.

Respect

Manchester City players showed scant respect either for the Laws, or referee Phil Dowd, when they faced a free-kick in the dying minutes of a super Barclays Premier League game at Hull.

The game was finely balanced at 2-2 and the home side had a free-kick just outside the Manchester City penalty area.

Twice, players broke from the defensive wall and on both occasions Dowd correctly ordered a retake and issued first Shaun Wright-Phillips and then Stephen Ireland with yellow cards.

At the second caution Dowd was surrounded by seven City players, incredulous at his temerity to apply the law.

That intimidation of a referee went unpunished and if the FA are to succeed with the campaign they will need to act in such situations.

Watch out for...

Stuart Attwell (right) returning to the Premier League this afternoon for his third top-flight game this season.

Portsmouth versus Hull City has been carefully selected for Attwell as he has handled both teams well in his previous two Premier League outings.

All match officials will be hoping Attwell can referee well and get through the game without controversy.

The rest of football should be on his side as well — we need young referees to be encouraged to come into the game.