Idman.biz
Frank De Bleeckere, Chairman of the AFFA Referees Committee, commented on the controversial episodes in the matches held within the VI round of the Misli Premier League.
Idman.biz reports that the expert touched upon the noteworthy moments in the matches "Imishli" – "Zira" and "Sabah" – "Sumgayit".
We present the controversial moments recorded in those games:
"Imishli" – "Zira"
36th minute
While the ball was in play, Zira's player number 4 recklessly pushed Imishli's player number 9 from behind. The refereeing team did not see this episode. VAR checked the situation, but did not intervene because it did not consider this action to be a red card episode. (The point of contact is not clearly visible in the TV footage)
Our expectation was that the Zira player would receive a yellow card for reckless action and a free kick would be awarded in favor of Imishli. If the contact is clearly visible on the head or face area, a red card is expected for violent conduct.
"Sabah" – "Sumgayit"
16th minute
The ball was passed to Sabah's player number 11, and after receiving the ball, he carelessly fouled Sumgayit's player (No. 80). The referee saw the foul but applied advantage. After the ball went out of play, the referee showed a yellow card to Sabah's player (No. 11).
This is the correct decision, because Sabah's player touched the opponent with the upper part of his foot (no full contact) while trying to get the ball. A yellow card is correct for reckless play.
If the contact had been above the foot or a strong contact, then a red card would have been expected for serious foul play.
45+2nd minute
During the attack, Sabah's player (No. 21) hit the ball from close range into the arm of Sumgayit's defender in the penalty area. Sumgayit's player's arm was close to his body and in a natural position. Also, he did not direct his arm towards the ball. The referee continued the game and VAR also supported the referee's decision. This was the referee's correct decision.
78th minute
During the attack, Sabah's striker (No. 20) scores a goal. VAR checks the episode and sees that at the beginning of the attack, Sabah's player (No. 5) recklessly kicks Sumgayit's player's (No. 21) foot after playing the ball. VAR invites the head referee to watch the episode.
After watching the video footage, the referee explains the situation to both captains, cancels the goal, awards a free kick in favor of Sumgayit and shows a yellow card to Sabah's player (No. 5) for reckless play. This is the referee's correct decision and VAR's correct intervention.
90+2nd minute
During Sabah's attack, the striker (No. 20) receives the ball in the penalty area and scores a goal. VAR checks the episode and sees that Sabah's striker touched the ball with his hand before scoring the goal.
The rules say this: if a player commits a handball before scoring a goal, the goal must be disallowed. This is always the case – whether intentional or accidental. VAR informs the head referee and he cancels the goal. This is the referee's correct decision and VAR's correct intervention.
