Aye, forget most of that and look at the IFAB Circular, in particular the accompanying videosIn this scenario is doesn’t, wolves contact meets all of these:
“
The following criteria should be used, as appropriate, as indicators that a player was in control of the ball and, as a result, ‘deliberately played’ the ball:
• The ball travelled from distance and the player had a clear view of it
• The ball was not moving quickly
• The direction of the ball was not unexpected
• The player had time to coordinate their body movement, i.e. it was not a case of instinctive stretching or jumping, or a movement that achieved limited contact/control”
On second thoughts, just do what you like. That approach is more in keeping with football. Personally, I'll be sticking to the Circular not least because it's what the game expects and you can bet your life your CAR's flag will go up (as will your NAR's in most cases). Not to mention, giving the benefit of the doubt to the defender just makes it easier for us Referees, which works for me
And if any Observer is not aware of the Circular (which they probably won't be), I'll just educate them
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