Junior/Youth Penalty Decision

[Gjilani]

Title: Penalty Decision Review – Holding in the Box (Video Analysis)

Post body:

Hello everyone,

I’d like to get your thoughts on a penalty decision from a recent match.

Here is the video:

In the video, a defender appears to hold an attacking player inside the penalty area as a pass is played in. The referee awarded a penalty for this contact.

However, when watching the replay in slow motion, the holding looks like it lasts for 3–4 seconds, but when viewed at normal speed (match tempo), the contact seems to last less than 1 second.

Also worth noting:

• The attacking player is facing away from goal, towards the field, not in a direct goal-scoring position.
• There is debate on whether the holding had any real impact on the attacker’s movement or ability to play the ball.

My questions:

• Does this incident qualify as a foul deserving of a penalty under current IFAB Laws?
• Does the context (duration, positioning, limited impact) affect your judgment?
• Would you have made the same call in a competitive match?

Thanks in advance for your insight and analysis!

 

[TheReferee]

I know this doesn’t answer your question but In this situation, I would definitely be looking from an input from my assistant, the assistant is going to be credible because it’s in his area of the pitch and he’s going to have a side on view which is going to be the best view out of the referee and assistant for seeing any sort of pulling or holding especially as the players have their backs to goal

 

[one]

• Does this incident qualify as a foul deserving of a penalty under current IFAB Laws?
  • This is a subjective decision. IFAB laws (LOTG) are subject to interpretation for these decisions. IMO it is a penalty.
• Does the context (duration, positioning, limited impact) affect your judgment?
  • Yes and no. More so for impact and very little on duration. Though duration impacts impact . Position is only for it being in the PA or not as I need to be a little more certain on those fouls. Which way they are facing would only change sanctions for me not if it is a foul or not.
• Would you have made the same call in a competitive match?
  • Yes.

I Must add, whtever decision the referee makes, it would not be a clear and obvious error so VAR should not have got involved.

 

[RefRyanAus]

Comfortable with the pen. Holding prevents the attacker securing effective possession and turning for a shot on goal. As One has said, the holding was impactful if not protracted.

 

[Archer]

Walks like a penalty, quacks like a penalty...

 

[JamesL]

In my opinion, and certainly in England and what we are being taught I think the better outcome is no pen.
Holding is not sustained and the attackers motivation is to win a penalty.btge fall gives it away for me. Id be wanting a more significant impact to award a penalty here.
That said there is some holding so it is supportable even though I would prefer it not to be given

 

[Archer]

In my opinion, and certainly in England and what we are being taught I think the better outcome is no pen.
Holding is not sustained and the attackers motivation is to win a penalty.btge fall gives it away for me. Id be wanting a more significant impact to award a penalty here.
That said there is some holding so it is supportable even though I would prefer it not to be given

Attacker perhaps initiates it by putting his left arm out to encourage 'holding' ?

(If the defender is daft enough to fall for it, that's the second question)