England v Italy (Womens)

[BCMilan]

I actually thought it was ridiculous of the defender to clamber all over the England player right in front of the nose of the referee. Was soft, but I think anywhere else on the FoP this is being given based on the foul tolerance.

Felt the referee was very consistent, and managed the game very well. Missed a couple of fouls but then again, who doesn’t. Very brave refereeing none the less to give a 95th minute KMI pen!

Well yeah, defenders don't help themselves when they're cuddling strikers

 

[RustyRef]

Not sure I'd want to be giving that penalty in a step 3/4 game though

That's where I'm at with it. Can see why it was given, and can certainly see why VAR couldn't get involved, but unless Beth Mead has borrowed Inspector Gadget's legs (that will get the youngsters googling ) there's no possible way she was getting on the end of that cross. I really don't think that would be given at any senior level in England. They talk about impactful holding, and that really didn't impact anything.

Still, stupid by the defender and she gave the referee a decision to make.

 

[DavidObs]

That's where I'm at with it. Can see why it was given, and can certainly see why VAR couldn't get involved, but unless Beth Mead has borrowed Inspector Gadget's legs (that will get the youngsters googling ) there's no possible way she was getting on the end of that cross. I really don't think that would be given at any senior level in England. They talk about impactful holding, and that really didn't impact anything.

Still, stupid by the defender and she gave the referee a decision to make.

The defender thought the movement from BM was going to be impactful & if she didn’t, then it was really a silly thing to do in front of the Referee inside her penalty area - though I truly get where you are coming from.

 

[LothianRef]

They talk about impactful holding, and that really didn't impact anything.

LotG define holding as “impacting the opponents movement” which this did. Nothing about the impact on play.
I know where you’re coming from, but I think this is more England being out of line with everywhere else, in allowing rugby tackle-esque holding in the penalty area.

 

[BCMilan]

Yet again, the problem stems from professional players diving / cheating. Years ago they would have easily got a pen for that, but these days it's hard to tell whether the holding has impacted their moment, or if the striker has just thrown themselves to the ground with the slightest touch

 

[Russell Jones]

LotG define holding as “impacting the opponents movement” which this did. Nothing about the impact on play.
I know where you’re coming from, but I think this is more England being out of line with everywhere else, in allowing rugby tackle-esque holding in the penalty area.

There was clear guidance in England last year that totally unsporting, over the top holding (rugby tackling is a helpful shorthand!) should always be punished regardless of any impact.