A&H

Worth Appealing?

T

They're laws not rules

New Member
Level 4 Referee
I’ve had my report back from this weekend, and in my opinion it’s the worst written observation I’ve ever seen at L4.

The score overall isn’t awful, 72.7 which is significantly above average for my pool but below average for me.

Hopefully someone’s been through the process recently and can give me some information regarding how the appeals process works (timeframes and if it’s the whole report or just sections that can be appealed). Do they take any additional information from us or just use what’s already in the report? Who do I send the appeal to? Can marks go down on appeal?

Apologies for the barrage of questions, but I’ve never considered appealing a report in my 4 years as a L4 but the way this one is written doesn’t sit right with me!

Thanks in advance :)
 
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They're laws not rules said:
I’ve had my report back from this weekend, and in my opinion it’s the worst written observation I’ve ever seen at L4.

The score overall isn’t awful, 72.7 which is significantly above average for my pool but below average for me.

Hopefully someone’s been through the process recently and can give me some information regarding how the appeals process works (timeframes and if it’s the whole report or just sections that can be appealed). Do they take any additional information from us or just use what’s already in the report? Who do I send the appeal to? Can marks go down on appeal?

Apologies for the barrage of questions, but I’ve never considered appealing a report in my 4 years as a L4 but the way this one is written doesn’t sit right with me!

Thanks in advance :)
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Having never actually appealed a report either, here is the limited amount I know.

The mark can be reduced on appeal, so be wary of that! Also, I believe they will just look at the report.
For the mark to be likely to be improved on appeal the observer would need to be either wrong in law in something that have gave you a 6.5 on or there to be a section where the mark isn't reflective of the text written (say for example there was a written comment that your fitness, positioning and movement was brilliant and they noticed prolonged sprints on x y and z minutes, but then marked you 7.0

Overall, appealing is probably not advisable unless you've very clearly been wronged, but if it's the difference between promotion and not, then maybe worth a go? Who knows.
 
Like you, I've never appealed a report. However I am pretty sure the criteria are as @RefereeX states.

I do know you need to use this link, because I bookmarked it in the unlikely event I did ever feel the need. I also think you have to do it within 7 days

Microsoft Forms

forms.office.com forms.office.com

I think there is one other possibility, which is that the report can be voided if it is considered to be well below the quality expected, but not sure if you can directly ask for that as an outcome
 
Same here. Never had to appeal a report before.

I do know that you can only appeal individual sections (e.g. 1.1, 2.2).

You can only appeal on the basis that the written text is wrong in law or the mark awarded does not match the written text iirc

For example the observer wrote you should have sent a player off for a reckless tackle or they've marked above standard and you feel the text written should be rated outstanding (if there is minor development advice the maximum award is above standard).

Pretty sure you can't use video evidence at step 5/6 but this is where I am least confident.
 
JamesL said:
Same here. Never had to appeal a report before.

I do know that you can only appeal individual sections (e.g. 1.1, 2.2).

You can only appeal on the basis that the written text is wrong in law or the mark awarded does not match the written text iirc

For example the observer wrote you should have sent a player off for a reckless tackle or they've marked above standard and you feel the text written should be rated outstanding (if there is minor development advice the maximum award is above standard).

Pretty sure you can't use video evidence at step 5/6 but this is where I am least confident.
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I'm 99.9% sure that's correct.
 
i appealed one last year (partially successfully)

As @JamesL says, you need to specify a section in the report and then explain why the mark is incorrect. 'Poorly written' is not a justification for an appeal and, in all serioussness, could lead a reduction in mark (as all the panel have to go from is the report text) - video definitely cannot be used as not all games are covered by video.

FYI this was the basis of my appeal - was only successful in 5.1:

Section 2.2 - I believe this section demonstrates above expected performance
considering the detail provided, range of different offences listed and confirmation
that these were correct.

Section 4.6 - I believe this section demonstrates above expected performance
considering the comments reflecting being in position despite the "end to end / big
boot nature of the game".

Section 5.1 - I believe this section demonstrates above expected performance
considering the number of timed examples provided and positive effects this had on the
flashpoint in the 86th minute.
 
I had a report from 2 weeks ago which I was disgruntled about because there were many sections (all marked 7.0) where the observer mentioned positive performance aspects but then counterbalanced with advice, but the advice would constitute either over management (in my opinion) or was simply untrue when seen again on video, but I decided it was unlikely to be successful as I couldn't prove that it wasn't true and management / over management is subjective.
 
JamesL said:
Same here. Never had to appeal a report before.

I do know that you can only appeal individual sections (e.g. 1.1, 2.2).

You can only appeal on the basis that the written text is wrong in law or the mark awarded does not match the written text iirc

For example the observer wrote you should have sent a player off for a reckless tackle or they've marked above standard and you feel the text written should be rated outstanding (if there is minor development advice the maximum award is above standard).

Pretty sure you can't use video evidence at step 5/6 but this is where I am least confident.
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I have a massive paragraph in 1.2 that can justify a 7.5 in 1.1 and 2.1 aswell as justification of the 8.0 awarded in that section. Can I use that as a basis for appealing those sections, without the worry impacting the 8.0 for 1.2?

I also played 3 advantages that led to a goals, the one of the two describes a challenging situation imo, it’s been listed as 8.0 but I personally feel a 8.5 would’ve been more appropriate (I probably won’t appeal this section though)
 
es1 said:
i appealed one last year (partially successfully)

As @JamesL says, you need to specify a section in the report and then explain why the mark is incorrect. 'Poorly written' is not a justification for an appeal and, in all serioussness, could lead a reduction in mark (as all the panel have to go from is the report text) - video definitely cannot be used as not all games are covered by video.

FYI this was the basis of my appeal - was only successful in 5.1:

Section 2.2 - I believe this section demonstrates above expected performance
considering the detail provided, range of different offences listed and confirmation
that these were correct.

Section 4.6 - I believe this section demonstrates above expected performance
considering the comments reflecting being in position despite the "end to end / big
boot nature of the game".

Section 5.1 - I believe this section demonstrates above expected performance
considering the number of timed examples provided and positive effects this had on the
flashpoint in the 86th minute.
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Any idea if I can use text that has been included in other sections in the report as a basis for appealing a different section

I have a list of cautions in 1.2 all being described as expected, except the KMD, which is supported but deemed to be difficult, However I got an 7.0 in 1.1 despite this
 
They're laws not rules said:
Any idea if I can use text that has been included in other sections in the report as a basis for appealing a different section

I have a list of cautions in 1.2 all being described as expected, except the KMD, which is supported but deemed to be difficult, However I got an 7.0 in 1.1 despite this
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I'm sure there'd be one or two forumites sufficiently in the know to advise you whether an appeal would be in order, but nobody could make that assessment without reading the report in its entirety
I would hazard a guess that only a small proportion of appeals are successful. The discrepancies in the report would need to be unequivocal IMO
 
They're laws not rules said:
Any idea if I can use text that has been included in other sections in the report as a basis for appealing a different section

I have a list of cautions in 1.2 all being described as expected, except the KMD, which is supported but deemed to be difficult, However I got an 7.0 in 1.1 despite this
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Not really. You can't be double rewarded so if you've been rewarded in one section you can't use the same example to reward somewhere else unless its MCS and you want to reward positioning as an example.
 
They're laws not rules said:
I have a massive paragraph in 1.2 that can justify a 7.5 in 1.1 and 2.1 aswell as justification of the 8.0 awarded in that section. Can I use that as a basis for appealing those sections, without the worry impacting the 8.0 for 1.2?

I also played 3 advantages that led to a goals, the one of the two describes a challenging situation imo, it’s been listed as 8.0 but I personally feel a 8.5 would’ve been more appropriate (I probably won’t appeal this section though)
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You may find it helpful to read the Match Observer Training Manual, available to Level 4 referees via The FA Community.
 
Some, out of date, data from the first half 22/23 season

Match Official Appeal Updates
[Games played to 31st December 2022]

Total Appeals
109

Level 4 Level 3 Level 2B WNL
54 42 12 1


Increased Mark
48
Unchanged Mark
47
Reduced Mark Void
6
Void Mark
4
 
bester said:
Some, out of date, data from the first half 22/23 season

Match Official Appeal Updates
[Games played to 31st December 2022]

Total Appeals
109

Level 4 Level 3 Level 2B WNL
54 42 12 1


Increased Mark
48
Unchanged Mark
47
Reduced Mark Void
6
Void Mark
4
Click to expand...

50/50 give or take 1%ish

Assuming if you appeal a report it being made void is a desirable outcome.
 
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