I had this very interesting event yesterday. I gave a penalty against the away team. The home striker was in the box. He make a turn close to the goal line, dribbled the ball backward about 2 - 3 yards away a bit too further and I believe he would have lose control without this foul. However, one defender made a very late tackle and his foot was kicking upward. The striker not even looking for penalty, jumped to escape but still got kicked on the leg and fell.
I blew the whistle immediately for penalty. Because the ball has already been kicked backward and was instantly cleared out of the box, the offending team players were retreating, also because I blew the whistle immediately there was no time for any of them to appeal. The away team captain contested strongly, the main reason being 'the opponents were not appealing, they knew it was not a penalty'. Then the player being kicked walked past him and said 'I was kicked on the leg', but the captain still didn't believe it was a penalty.
I saw it very clearly and the penalty was carried out. The away team was furious, the coach claimed I ruined the game after the match. I can understand their frustration but I'd no way to convince them.
I know for sure that my decision is correct by law. But I also have heard several referees talking about the principle of 'no surprise', they don't want to be the one that surprises everyone. So I would like to know how you will do if you saw a foul but no one is appealing? Are you going to give the foul straight away or you would wait for the players' reaction, in order to sell your decision more easily?
I blew the whistle immediately for penalty. Because the ball has already been kicked backward and was instantly cleared out of the box, the offending team players were retreating, also because I blew the whistle immediately there was no time for any of them to appeal. The away team captain contested strongly, the main reason being 'the opponents were not appealing, they knew it was not a penalty'. Then the player being kicked walked past him and said 'I was kicked on the leg', but the captain still didn't believe it was a penalty.
I saw it very clearly and the penalty was carried out. The away team was furious, the coach claimed I ruined the game after the match. I can understand their frustration but I'd no way to convince them.
I know for sure that my decision is correct by law. But I also have heard several referees talking about the principle of 'no surprise', they don't want to be the one that surprises everyone. So I would like to know how you will do if you saw a foul but no one is appealing? Are you going to give the foul straight away or you would wait for the players' reaction, in order to sell your decision more easily?
