In this edition of Behind the Whistle, former Premier League referee Chris Foy goes through a selection of key match decisions from games across the festive period 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 considerations and also clarification of certain calls to provide an understanding of how the laws of the game are interpreted.
As part of a regular feature on Sky Sports following the conclusion of a matchday, Foy will be here to run you through some refereeing matters in the EFL…
Sky Bet Championship
Coventry City 4-0 Plymouth Argyle
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The Plymouth player slides in and fails to win the ball however the referee did not award a penalty
Incident – Possible penalty, foul (Coventry City)
Decision – No penalty (Coventry City)
Foy says: “For me, the referee misinterprets what has happened here, as a penalty kick 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 gets himself into a good position, looking at the action from an angle which is unobstructed, despite a crowded box and a quickly developing phase of play, he does not identify Plymouth Argyle No39’s foul, which I feel is reckless.
“The Plymouth man slides into his tackle at pace and fails to win the ball and is therefore very fortunate not to have conceded a penalty or receive a caution here.”
Burnley 0-0 Stoke City
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Burnley saw themselves go down to ten players 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 conduct, and the type of incident that we don’t want to see in football.
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Watch highlights of the Sky Bet Championship match between Burnley and Stoke
“As the Burnley player goes to retrieve the ball from the corner, he deliberately stands on the Stoke City No22.
“It is clear that this was a deliberate non-footballing action that could’ve been avoided. Because of the degree of force, a straight red is absolutely the right decision and an excellent spot by the referee.”
Derby County 0-1 Leeds United
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The referee only gives a yellow for this high challenge, was it worthy of a red card?
Incident – Possible red card, high foot (Derby County)
Decision – No red card (Derby County)
Foy says: “I think the referee gets this decision spot on, as it is one which could’ve easily been portrayed as being a red card.
“Although the foot of the Derby County player is clearly raised, he has his eyes on the ball the whole time and does not catch his opponent with the studs.
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Highlights from the Sky Bet Championship game between Derby County and Leeds United
“It is undoubtedly a bookable offence, but the fact he catches his opponent with the top of the foot and not the studs and this is a genuine attempt to win the ball, is enough to suggest it is not quite worthy of a straight red. The referee gets a good view of this and correctly cautions him for a reckless challenge.”
Watford 1-2 Sheffield United
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Watford were denied a penalty and then a subsequent corner against Sheffield United
Incident – Possible penalty (Watford)
Decision – No penalty given (Watford)
Foy says: “This is an excellent call by the referee, as he gets both elements of the decision spot on. Firstly, he correctly identifies that the tackle in the box from the Sheffield United player is a fair one and that he wins the ball.
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Highlights of the Sky Bet Championship match between Watford and Sheffield United
“Secondly, he then gives a goal-kick, which could make people think that there is no touch on the ball, so why not a penalty. What really happens is the Sheffield United player plays the ball against his opponent.
“No penalty and goal-kick is the fully correct outcome and a great 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 were Burton unfortunate to not have been given a free-kick?
Incident – Possible penalty, foul (Birmingham City)
Decision – Penalty awarded (Birmingham City)
Foy says: “In my view, Burton Albion were extremely unfortunate to concede a penalty here, as I do not think the criteria necessary for a spot kick to be awarded have been met.
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Highlights of the Sky Bet League One match between Birmingham City and Burton Albion
“Birmingham’s No14 clearly moves across the path of the Burton Albion defender, ‘making a back’ for the defender who is jumping normally, without jumping himself, and thereby creating the contact that sees the attacker fall to the ground under the weight of the defender.
“For me, the contact is instigated by the Birmingham player and he is actually the one that should be punished here. The correct decision would have been to award a defensive free-kick to Burton Albion.”
Bristol Rovers 2-3 Leyton Orient
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Bristol Rovers thought they had equalised in the final minutes, but the referee ruled out the goal for handball
Incident – Goal scored, possible handball (Leyton Orient)
Decision – Goal disallowed (Leyton Orient)
Foy says: “This is yet another example of excellent awareness and accurate judgement from the referee, as he spots Bristol Rovers’ No24 using his hand to direct the ball into 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 team desperate for an equaliser in the last few minutes of the game, the crowded penalty box can make it difficult for the referee but, thanks to his positioning, he is able to spot the deliberate use of the arm and awards the free-kick.
“The only thing that should have been different is that the offender should have also been shown a caution for the deliberate handball offence.”
Exeter City 4-4 Crawley Town
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Exeter were awarded a goal but should Crawley feel hard done by for a potential foul on their goalkeeper?
Incident – Goal scored, possible foul (Exeter City)
Decision – Goal awarded (Exeter City)
Foy says: “Crawley Town were unfortunate not to be awarded a defensive free-kick here, for me.
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Highlights of the Sky Bet League One match between Exeter City and Crawley Town
“As the corner is swung in, Exeter City’s No2 is leaning into the Crawley Town goalkeeper. The contact clearly impacts the keeper and prevents him from getting to the ball.
“The lean from the Exeter No2 meets the threshold for a foul, and therefore should have been identified by the referee and punished, 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, offside (Colchester United)
Foy says: “This is an excellent decision by the assistant referee here, correctly identifying the goal scorer 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
“Although it is very tight, you can tell from the pitch markings that the Colchester United player at the back post is leaning forwards, and therefore his head is in an offside position.
“The assistant has the benefit of it being on the side nearest to him, but it is still an excellent decision, demonstrating first-class awareness and judgement, especially considering how far the ball travels across the box.”
Salford City 3-0 Barrow
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Barrow thought they had scored after the ball deflected of a Salford defender but it was ruled offside
Incident – Goal scored, possible offside (Barrow)
Decision – Goal disallowed, offside (Barrow)
Foy says: “From an educational point of view, this is a good offside decision, and one that the match officials get spot on here.
“At the point that the original shot comes in, Barrow’s No11, who scores the goal, 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 penalises the attacker for offside when the ball deflects to him off a defender, after which the attacker goes on to score. The actions of the attacker were not a deliberate play of the ball. However, even if they were, the offside would still apply, as the defender saved a shot on goal when he made contact with the ball.
“As such, the attacker would have gained an advantage by being in that position and would be penalised for offside, in the same way he would if the ball had gone to him from a save by the goalkeeper, having been offside at the moment the original shot was struck.”
