Welcome to the 37th edition of The Corsham Referee monthly International Football/Soccer Referees' newsletter. 
As it is my birthday today, I'll call this edition a 'Birthday Special".

I hope that all of you continue to enjoy your role in the world of refereeing. Please let me have any contributions for the newsletter, as readers are always interested in hearing about Refereeing from around the world. Please let me know if you have any difficulties in receiving or reading the newsletter; and let me have any suggestions on how it can be improved. It is issued free by email in both html (web page format), and plain text format. Previous issues (and printable pdf versions) can be seen by using the 'Previous Newsletters' link on the home page of my http://www.corshamref.org.uk web site. This newsletter is issued approximately on the 1st day of each calendar month.

The football being played in this World Cup, has not been as exciting as previous ones that I can remember, but the overall refereeing has to be admired. We are getting better, but there is still lots to do! A few thoughts from me: Thankfully, spitting by players seems to have been curbed. Each game has used a right wing diagonal. The starting point for referees at corner kicks has been consistent; they stand near the penalty arc line where it crosses the plenty area line. The fitness of the referees is astonishing - they are all very near play when making important decisions. There have been to many cards issued! Thankfully, the knockout stages has seen more understanding being applied by the referees. There are very few public warnings being given to players - it's either a card or not!

The Germans have certainly organised the competition exceedingly well. 

England(2) v Italy(0) for the final - well, I can dream - it is my birthday after all! And I support both teams.

Keep up the good Refereeing work wherever you are in the world; and my best wishes go to you all. Editor Julian Carosi.

WORLD CUP "ON THE BALL" STATISTICS.

Attached via the link below, you can go to an interesting site that measures World Cup stats such as which team bullied the referee most, how many tantrums each country had, fake injuries, how many of the players did not sing their national anthem, fouls and card counts etc. It's s bit of fun, and highly revealing!
http://www.informationbuilders.co.uk/ontheball/index.html

Regards
Julian

AUSTRALIA WORLD CUP REFEREE UPDATE

Referee Mark Shield, and Assistants Nathan Gibson and Ben Wilson are Australia's representatives at the current World Cup. Below are some extracts from emails about how they are enjoying their adventure. This information has kindly been supplied courtesy of Brian Tamsett Northern New South Wales State League Soccer Referees' Association (and their newsletter (The 'R' FACTOR). 
The Australian football team (the Socceroos) may have bowed out of the completion, but the Australian refereeing team Mark, Nathan and Ben have been kept on, and are part of the twelve teams in retention for the last eight matches. They haven't been appointed for the quarterfinals but are hoping to be in line for a later game. Fingers crossed.

From Nathan, Ben & Mark in Germany for the World Cup.

Well, finally the tournament is up and running for the other Aussie team. The game went well, wasn't the most exciting of starts but it certainly picked up in the second half, and out of it came a few discussion points, more about that later.
Match Preparation and Recovery.
The FIFA support crew is fantastic, the fitness staff cannot be faulted in their handling of the ref's lead up to a game. Once you are appointed to a game you take on a different training schedule to the ref's who don't.
Match Day minus 4: This was high intensity where our Polar Heart Rate Monitors are reading in the 80 - 90% zone for the majority of the work-out.
Match Day minus 3: Was a speed-endurance work-out consisting of longer runs at controlled speed.
Match Day minus 2: Was the Jose' and Fernando "finishing school". These 2 guys are in charge of the coaching, Jose' mainly works with the referees and Fernando with the A/R's. This session was scenario after scenario of incidents carried out by youth players from a local club and we had to act as if it were a game situation.
Match Day minus 1: Was a light work-out consisting of a lot of stretching and a light to medium run.
In the afternoon, we flew to Munich along with Bo Karlson, our match assessor from Sweden, and Carlos and Julios from
Chile, our 4th and 5th officials. We were met by our liaison officer Felix, who is a ref on the German Bundesliga. He was
excellent support and a great guy which really helps when you want to relax and prepare.
Match Day: We basically had the day to do what ever we wanted but we all agreed we didn't want to play tourist. We agreed that the best preparation was to go and check out the Allianz Stadium to get the feel for what would go on that night. Back for lunch, a quick "FIFA kip" then get ready for departure. We arrived 2 hours prior to kick off with police escorts so there was no chance of being late. We did get some great news in the lead up to the match - all 3 off us received 2 tickets each to give to family and friends. This meant friends Cammo and Brendan, my friends Jas Dale and Rod Oberg and Mum and Dad could all get to the match. What made this even better was that the tickets were in the VIP section and were supposedly valued at 2000euro each!!!!!!! So, whilst on the field warming up, we noticed they all had a drink in their hand, raised in our direction. It was great to see some Aussies in the stands enjoying themselves.
The game went well for us, our assessor and the video panel were pleased with our performances. The assessor's mark makes up 1/3 and the video panel [3 assessors in the IT room in the hotel] 2/3 of the total mark.
The major incidents that were discussed in the debriefing were my on-side call that occurred at the first goal down my end and no-penalty call in the 2nd minute. The opinions on both matters were split 50/50. Unfortunately Ben's excellent on-side call that lead to the 4th goal didn't feature. The communication system was a huge success and helped deal with one or two back play incidents without Mark having to come to us for the low-down first.
Match Day plus 1: A bike ride in the forest for recovery and some core strength exercises.
Match Day plus 2: Nothing - a day off. You beauty. We are going into Frankfurt tonight for dinner and to watch a match
on the big screen mounted on a punt in the river. Apparently there are 20 - 30 thousand there each night on the river bank to watch the matches.

20 June update: 

Hello All

Firstly sorry to those who have taken offence at that fact that they found out about our next match via the FIFA website before hearing it from us. No we haven't been enjoying ourselves too much or spending excessive time at the pub. Apart from a game of golf yesterday it's been work, work, work,  [there was a small visit to a pub to watch the Aussie/Brazil game also].

Our next match is Iran vs Angola in the former East German city of Leipzig. Apparently still a very communist style city so should be interesting to experience. This particular game is the one that the white extremist, neo nazi's from Poland were planning to hold protests outside, interesting.....
The situation regarding the match is that Angola can still qualify, Iran are only playing for pride.

Yesterday I played golf with Horacio Elizondo, the Argentinean who ref'ed the opening game and Greg Barkey, an A/R from USA on the support panel, Mark opted for a run in the forest and Ben chose to study, both only prepared to challenge me at table tennis which is turning out to be a fearsome battle, I have Ben covered, Ben has Mark covered and Mark has me covered so it's all locked up. 

Nathan, Mark, Ben.

27 June update: 

After a successful day out in Munich last week for the Saudi Arabia and Tunisia match, we officiated our second game in Leipzig on Wednesday. The match was between Angola and Iran. Iran were unable to qualify for the second round and Angola needed to win and hope that Mexico lost in order to progress. Like the previous week, we went out to the stadium on the morning of the match to get a feel for it. It was a brand new stadium and is actually built inside the old stadium. The sloping hills outside the stadium used to be the standing room area when the capacity was 115,000. It is now a modern 40,000 seater. 

At 4pm the referee delegation and support crew left for the stadium. These Germans really know how to put on a police escort, and within 10 minutes, we had arrived at the stadium (mostly via the wrong side of the road!)
The atmosphere at the ground was again electric. Both sets of supporters had reasons to cheer throughout the game and once again, the match went off without a hitch and we were happy with our performance. The game finished 1-1 and that was enough to knock Angola out. 

Every match ball used at the World Cup has the individual match details inscribed on it with the date, the names of the teams and the venue. Traditionally, referees at the World Cup get to keep a match ball as a memento, but we've been told that this isn't possible in 2006. One would look fantastic in the pool room! The Angolan keeper agreed, and at full time he grabbed a match ball, although I'm sure he had second thoughts. As I arrived in the middle to shake hands with Mark, I looked down field to see that Gibbo (who is about 6 ft 5) had the poor goalie in a friendly headlock trying to prise the ball free! :) The plucky goalie held on and eventually Gibbo gave up and joined us for handshakes with the players.
You might be interested to know that the referee of the Australia v Italy match will be Luis Medina from Spain. He refereed the match versus Uruguay in Australia last year and has been having an excellent tournament.

We did not receive an appointment for the Round of 16 matches starting on Saturday. Mark and Gibbo have though, been appointed as 4th and 5th officials respectively to the Brazil vs Ghana match on Tuesday. I'm sure that will be a great experience for them. Unfortunately for me, I'll be left at the hotel to watch it on TV :(but will probably do so with the US and English refs, who will also be free next week and are all great people.

That reminds me, don't forget to checkout the website of the US referees. The address is http://uswcrefs.carealternative.com/index.htm. Greg, the main author, was 5th official on the now infamous Australia vs Croatia match. Read about it (the sanitised version) on his website.

As we seem to have a bit of spare time at the moment, we're going to head in to Frankfurt today to watch England vs Ecuador live in the "Fan Zone" - the VIP section of course! The fan zone is a massive screen in the middle of the river with thousands of people watching it in stands from the sideline.
Anyhow, Shieldsy is breathing down my neck because it's 2 minutes past his lunchtime and with the 4-minute walk down to the dining hall, he'll be a shadow of his former self if we don't leave.
Nathan, Mark, Ben.

Many thanks to the Aussie team in Germany, and to Brian Tamsett  for providing us with this interesting insight into refereeing at the World Cup. And I wish the boys all the very best. (Julian Carosi)

LIQUID INTAKE AT THE WORLD CUP

FIFA actively encourages players to drink liquids during the match
11 June 2006
FIFA MEDIA RELEASE
Following media enquiries regarding the intake of liquids during FIFA World Cup matches, FIFA would like to reiterate hereafter the information which was given to all 32 finalist teams at the March team workshop in Düsseldorf. 
The following information is contained in the handbook and was explained to the finalist teams: 

Liquid intake during the course of play 

Because the balance of water in the body is essential to health, FIFA actively encourages players to drink liquids during the match. The following rules must, however, be observed so as to avoid disorderliness on the field and possible injury from objects such as bottles being thrown around. 

1. Beverages may only be drunk during stoppages in play.
2. Beverages must be contained in plastic bottles provided by FIFA and handed to the players on the sidelines. 
3. It is forbidden to throw bottles or other receptacles on to the field of play. 
4. The goalkeeper may keep a beverage in a plastic bottle in the corner of his/her goal. 
5. Plastic bottles may be placed around the pitch approximately 1 meter away from the sidelines and goal lines provided they do not obstruct the assistant referees in the course of their duty. 

DO THE MATH!

Know something interesting about FIFA World Cup

Brazil won the world cup in 1994. Before that, he had won this 
title for the last time in 1970.

If you add up: 1970 + 1994 = 3964

Argentina won the world cup for the last time in 1986. Before that 
only in 1978.

And 1978 + 1986 = 3964

Germany , though, won the world cup in 1990. Before that, Germany 
won in 1974.

Look: 1990 + 1974 = 3964

This could lead us to guess the winner of the World Cup in 2002, 
since it should be the winner

of the 1962 World Cup (In fact 3964 - 2002 = 1962).

And Brazil won the world cup in 1962! (And, in fact, Brazil won the 
2002 WC)

This numerology seems to work...

And now, who would be the winner of the 2006 world cup?

Let's see, 3964 - 2006 = 1958

And who won in 1958?....

Oh, Brazil did!!!

SCIENCE OF PENALTIES: 

Scientists observed 10 "intermediate level" footballers taking penalties with two different strategies, described as "keeper-independent" and "keeper-dependent". 

In the keeper-independent strategy, the penalty-taker shot at one of two specified targets to the right and left side of the goal, as if ignoring the goalkeeper's actions during the run-up. In the keeper-dependent strategy, the target was switched to a different side of the goal during the run-up, so the player had to change the direction of his kick, as if reacting to the goalkeeper's movements.

When players used the keeper-independent strategy, they were 100 per cent accurate, always choosing the correct side and shooting on average 90cm from the middle of the target. By contrast, when they used the keeper-dependent strategy, the performance deteriorated according to how late the target was changed. When the target changed half a second before contact, the players shot to the correct side with only half the penalties and were less accurate, missing the target by an average 140cm.

The study, A field simulation study of the effectiveness of penalty kick strategies in soccer, by the Institute for Human Movement Sciences at Vrije University in Amsterdam, concluded: "Late alterations of kick direction increase errors and reduce accuracy. Anticipating the goalkeeper's movements may degrade penalty kick performance, mainly due to insufficient time to modify the kicking action."

The chief researcher, John van der Kamp, said: "If a player places the ball just inside the post, then it is almost impossible for the keeper to reach it in time. 

The keeper needs about one second to get his hands to the area near the post - a ball kicked at an average speed of about 50mph takes about half a second to reach the goal."

Gary Lineker, the television presenter and The Sunday Telegraph contributor, who scored two penalties against Cameroon in the 1990 World Cup and converted his spot-kick in the shoot-out with Germany, agreed. "It is definitely better to decide first and stick to it," he said. "But practice is vital too. I used to take 50 penalties every day in training during the World Cup. I hit every one to the goalkeeper's left and that was what I did in matches - except in the Cameroon game when I had two penalties."

( www.telegraph.co.uk 18 June 06)

UKRAINE PHILOSOPHY

When Roger Lemerre, the French coach of Tunisia was asked by the media to comment on the rough justice received when Tunisia lost 0-1 to Ukraine in the final Group H game in the World Cup on 23 June, he surprised them by replying:

"Fragility of human judgment is everywhere. If players can't accept the judgement of the game, then there is no game. I will not throw the first stone."

What a refreshing remark, considering that loosing teams always seem to find something to moan about. 

GRAHAM POLL:

A statement from FIFA's Referees Committee
23 June 2006  by FIFA
Thursday [22 June] evening’s 2-2 draw between Croatia and Australia in Stuttgart saw referee Graham Poll make an error. In the 61st minute of the game the English official showed the Croatian No. 3 Josip Simunic his first yellow card, followed by a second caution with just one minute of the game remaining. Instead of ordering the defender off for a second yellow card, however, the referee allowed him to stay on the pitch thinking he had only booked him once. Immediately after blowing the final whistle, Poll gave Simunic another yellow card before finally showing him the red. 
The experienced official is disappointed at having committed the error, the first such mistake in his 26-year career. 

The FIFA Referees Committee also recognised the oversight and the fact that none of the match officials at the stadium picked up on the error. 

In explaining his actions to the Committee, Poll said he incorrectly noted down the name of the Australia No. 3 Craig Moore when booking Simunic for the second time and failed to realise his error. 

In confirming the official’s mistake, Angel Maria Villar Llona, the President of the FIFA Referees Committee, added that Poll was an exceptional referee and a great sportsman, who would be able to overcome the situation thanks to his strong personality and love of the game.

http://fifaworldcup.yahoo.com/06/en/060623/1/860x.html

GRAHAM POLL

English referee Graham Poll has decided to retire from officiating at international tournaments after his high-profile blunder at the World Cup. The official from Tring contrived to show Josip Simunic three yellow cards during Croatia's 2-2 draw with Australia, but failed to send the defender off having produced the second caution. As a result, he was sent home from the tournament and has now decided to call time on his international career, although he will continue at club level.

"Certainly what happened a week ago is something I deeply regret," he explained in an exclusive interview with Sky Sports News. "I'm really forced into doing this.

"I understand there is a big interest so I've decided I will make one comment, it's purely for Sky Sports.

"Obviously, people will pick up on it and report what they will, but this is it - the only comment I make on TV, radio and newspapers. It's the only comment Graham Poll will be making on World Cup 2006. Basically, inexcusably, I made an error in law. Most mistakes are conjecture; most discussion, most controversy surrounds opinion. Was it a penalty or wasn't it? Should it be a goal? Was the ref right to disallow a goal or not? Was a red card correct?

"They're things we can always debate. What I did was an error in law - there can be no dispute. It wasn't caused by a Fifa directive, it wasn't caused by me being asked to referee differently to in the Premier League. The others in my team were absolutely clear, however, the laws in the game are very specific. A referee takes responsibility for actions on the field of play. I was referee that evening, it was my error and the buck stops with me.

"It's not carrying the can, it's being honest. I've had a week to reflect. I've had the first two nights completely sleepless, it's been something that has hurt me deeply. It's not about carrying the can, it's about being open and saying to people I got it wrong, I'm sorry and it's time to move on. You come in from a high octane match, a match of massive, massive importance and pressure, billed as one of the matches of the group stages. I still believe it turned out to be one of the matches of the World Cup thus far. It was a fantastic game of football. I was happy. One or two things went wrong with the game but nothing major, I was happy with how it went. 

"We were unaware of what had happened. Disbelief went around the dressing room when we were made aware of the error. We had to look at the DVD around 11.30 that evening and we realised, for me, that 26 years of hard work of refereeing, working up from park level, it meant my dream was over.

"Firstly, Fifa's reaction has been really, really impressive," he explained. "The head of refereeing came to me immediately and hugged me and said he was disappointed for me, not with me. That's important - it shows there's family here.

"I've had nothing but support from other referees, feeling it could've been any of us. Whatever communication system we have, for some reason, we've had it before and it does happen. What we don't want is it to happen on a big stage and it happened to me.

"Last night, at the farewell dinner, I had a personal call from Sepp Blatter to urge me to continue, not to doubt my ability as one of the best referees in the world. It has to touch you when the president of Fifa, the most powerful man in football, takes trouble to say not you're rubbish, you've let me down, you've ruined the tournament but, basically, nobody died. He said these things, it happens, you're a fantastic referee and I urge you to press on and carry on with your career.

"I've been inundated with messages," said Poll. "Obviously family and friends are going to be behind you . It helped a lot in the first two days because they were a complete living nightmare. I've had calls from Brian Barwick, Richard Scudamore and countless referees and then, when you hear messages from David Beckham, the England captain, actually saying he does know me - we think he's a nice guy as well - he's gone out of his way in the middle of a World Cup, (now win it boys, I would say for them), to take time out it's nice and touching.

"The first thing is disbelief," he recalled. "Shaking your head. I couldn't replay the decisions in my head as I couldn't recall them. I was so fatigued in the 90th minute. I've seen the video and it doesn't look like Graham Poll refereeing. Any supporters, if they watch that last 10 minutes, would say it doesn't look like Graham Poll refereeing. That's true.

"Now I've seen the DVD, it comes back over and over and over again in my mind. I think I'll wake up because it's a bad dream but it's not - it's reality.

"I've been very disappointed, unfortunately not surprised with the reaction of the media, it led me to, in the first few days, having thoughts of retirement. Certainly, I told Fifa I had no heart to referee another game at the World Cup. The decision wasn't needed for them, it wasn't them sending me home. It wasn't them saying you're rubbish, go away. They've supported me fully but it's too soon, too immediate to think about running out on a major, major game for Fifa.

"It was certainly my request [to go home] but I'm not in a position to tell Fifa what to do and what not to do. I stated what I felt, my remorse, and offered any help to the other referees to make sure it doesn't happen again. It wasn't easy but it was done. That to me, is what you can do. If Fifa wanted me to stay, I would've stayed for the remainder of the tournament. They know my place is with my family and friends, and it's time for me to go home, so I'm pleased.

"For the first two or three days, you think about retirement. You think it's all gone wrong and you start to doubt your ability. It probably didn't last too long. 26 years of hard work, hard graft and countless games have gone well. It's the end of my best season ever probably - the 56th match of refereeing - that's all around the world, 18 were overseas. It's been a grinding schedule, but, a week on, I'm encouraged by the support of many, many people.

"I will be back refereeing in the Premier League next season - August 19 we start. Keith Hackett has already organised a meeting for how we go forward. Five weeks of rest now will be good but I need to keep fit, keep in training and be ready for the start of the season but it's time for me to let go of the mistake.

"I reiterate that nobody got hurt from the error. Nobody died - remember football is a game, an important game, the world's game and what I did was a public mistake but it didn't affect qualification or the outcome of the match. It meant a player who shouldn't have been on the field stayed on the field for two or three minutes longer than they should've done. I'm not trying to minimise that error but, because of that, it makes it easier for me to move on. 

"It's time to move on, time to let go, certainly not to retire and to come back fit and strong for next season.

"I've had three major championships - Euro 2000, World Cup 2002 and World Cup 2006. None have gone right or worked out for me for various reasons.

"You say in life, if one thing goes wrong, you're unlucky. Two, maybe you're really unlucky. If it's three, you have to look at yourself and say maybe something's not right there. 

"I don't enjoy time away from home. It's a difficulty for me as I've got young children. I wouldn't be going to Euro 2008, that decision is taken. It's not a knee-jerk decision, I discussed it with The FA already and it's time for someone else from England to have a go.

"For me, tournament football is over.

"For me, it's time. What I do best is club football, club refereeing. Yes, I've had good international matches but tournament-wise it hasn't worked. You have to be honest with yourself. The pain I've gone through, the agony in Japan, to go through that there and to have it happen again, well I couldn't have it happen again and tournaments, for me, are now finished."

The Tring official is ready to face the flak from supporters up and down the country next season.

"We get stick whatever happens," he reasoned. "If a song has changed then the song changes. I don't know what they will come up with but it'll be witty and, probably by then, it'll be time to smile about it.

"It still doesn't take away the feeling. I had 30,000 referees in England who voiced their support for me to maybe achieve the ultimate, the first person to do the World Cup final since Jack Taylor in 1974.

"People need a dose of reality. They can all move on, once they've tried to destroy you. Someone said to me maybe one day, you can say, with your grandson on your lap, maybe you could've refereed the World Cup final - and I haven't."

(Source: http://msnsport.skysports.com/worldcup/index.aspx)

Comment from Julian Carosi - You're still my favourite referee Graham, and have lots to offer our Premiership League here in England.

COLLARS AND CUFFS AND ALL THINGS WHITE (a little fun story!)

I need to get this off my chest. In fact I need to get this of my chest, my collar, my wrists and the top of my shins.
Does anyone know who was responsible for introducing those annoying little white bits that Referees have on their kit? If you do, please let me know 'cause I want to nominate him for chief Referees' Supplies Officer - "Chief RSO" for short! ;-) 
Being a Referee, you'll need to stop and think a little bit about that one!
'R' 'S' 'O' Get it? - Oh well, never mind, let's move on………….

It wasn't that long ago, that Referees had to wear a blazer when officiating, but at least they never had the worry of 'the dreaded white bits!'
OK - so you get onto the park, and scout around for the inevitable hidden Referees' Assessor. Why is he inevitable? He is inevitable on this particular day, because last week you officiated in the confines of a mud bath that merged those preciously white bits of yours into a colour that could be registered as the 'first of its kind' in the Guinness Book of World Records. 

As it is your promotion year, you spent the best part of last Saturday night, dipping those lower white bits 'in-and-out of the sink' …'in-and-out of the sink' ….. 'in-and-out of the sink'….. to no avail. You'd think that in this 'day and age', somebody could invent a material that mud would NOT take kindly to. But no - they make the tops of Referees' socks out of some sort of cloth that has a unique magnetic mud collection property. Hey! ….what about a disposable sock-top - now there's a thought! 
It wouldn't be so bad, if the 'missus' stopped her continuous moaning about the plug 'ole always being blocked with mud and grass!
So there he is, trying to look inconspicuous by hiding behind the only tree for miles. Mr Assessor….Bless his little cotton socks (I bet they don't have white bits on.) Now it's time to get your mind into gear, and try and put on a good show for Mr Assessor. 

But wait!! ……………………

Why are you fretting?

You're fretting because instead of concentrating on the more important aspects of your game like Law interpretation and positioning, you can't get rid of that embarrassed redness about your face, due to that overriding niggle that just won't get out of your mind.
Instead of white stocking tops, you have 'not-so' white stocking tops. In fact, 'white' does not even come into the equation, else it would violate the Trades' Description Act. So instead of fulfilling that perfect performance that you have always dreamed about, you spend 90 minutes in purgatory, cursing the 'tightness of fist' that is a common trait of all Referees. 

Wouldn't it have been much much better, to have purchased TWO pairs of socks at the beginning of the season instead of the usual one? At least that way, you get to put the clean pair on at half-time, in the hope that the Assessor's eye sight in the first half is (metaphorically speaking) as bad as yours. 
(Did you notice how I threw in that strange official Law 4 word 'stocking' at the top of the above paragraph. They always look nicer in black don't they boys?- But I'm transgressing ;-)

Back to the game……. would you believe it? What luck! In the changing room at half-time is the Referee from pitch No. 2. He must be having a bad game, 'cause he looks as white as a ghost. But as luck would have it, he has a new spare pair in his kit bag. In view of your desperation, you accept his 200% mark-up, and hand over a ten-pound note without so much as the slightest tightening of your fist!

So the game ends, and you go home in anticipation of the Assessor's damming Report on your performance (and more importantly - on your appearance). You wait a few weeks and no report arrives. A few more weeks go by, before it dawns on you that perhaps the man behind the tree was NOT an Assessor!! ……………CORRECT.

But the most annoying thing about this, is that you now have two pairs of the 'bloody useless' and whiter-less things in your kit bag.

But wait a minute - THERE WAS NO GAME ON PITCH NO. 2 THAT DAY!!

You had found him after all these years…….. CHIEF RSO

No wonder he was as white as a ghost!

Do any of you know have any tips for white bootlaces. But that's another story ……………………

Julian Carosi

75 YEARS AGO 1st WORLD CUP 1930

It was 75 years ago that home nation Uruguay beat Argentina 4-2 in the very first World Cup final in 1930. Uruguay was chosen as the 1st World Cup venue for diplomatic reasons, as that country (populated by only 2 million people) enjoyed virtual unrivalled economic and social stability following the New York stock market crash in October 1929. It was also the 100th anniversary of Uruguay's establishment as a nation. Up to two months before the start of the competition, European countries had refused to participate, because it was too costly, to time-consuming, and they were unwilling to do without their national teams for two months. Eventually, the competition consisted of 13 teams, Group 1, Argentina, Chile, France, Mexico: Group 2, Yugoslavia, Brazil, Bolivia: Group 3, Uruguay, Romania, Peru: Group 4, USA, Paraguay, Belgium. It took two weeks for Romania, Belgium and France to travel to Uruguay on the Italian steamer Conte Verde; and a further two weeks to travel back!

The final Referee was, Belgium official Jan Langenus, dressed in knickerbockers, a jacket and a tie! He was Europe's premier official at that time, and oversaw a total of four matches in Uruguay. He also wrote articles for various European newspapers and travelled around Uruguay as the tournament unfolded. The hospitality shown by Uruguay was fantastic. The Belgium FA wrote back and said that their players had been "spoilt like children" in Montevideo.

Following an exciting discovery of six original reels of 16mm film in the Cinematica Uruguayan film archives in 2003, a complete 13-minute short film was created. The raw footage was painstakingly resorted and enhanced. The film is exclusively available as a bonus item on the FIFA Fever DVD.
(FIFA Magazine No. 7 July 2005)

WHICH REF ARE YOU?

The Average Soccer Tribesman's Guide to Referees

1 The Blind Ref: Sees himself as the friend of the fast-flowing game. Appears to have lost his whistle and lets anything pass. Beloved by the hard men of the game.

2 The Whistling Ref: The chronic whistleblower wears his Acme Thunderer as if it were a permanent brace on his teeth. Much hated by supporters, he blows up for every minor misdeed, fragmenting the game with a thousand irritating stoppages. Beloved by the soft men of the game.

3 The Homer Ref: Believes that every savage foul by the home team is nothing more than an enthusiastic tackle. Knows that the visiting team are a bunch of animals and acts accordingly. Is usually nervous, timid, inconsistent and agitated. Suffers from the worst disease that can afflict a referee: the desire to be loved. For some mysterious reason, usually has lily-white legs.

4 The Headmaster Ref: Treats all players as naughty little schoolboys. Gives them patronizingly sarcastic glances at every opportunity. When warning them, insists that they' Come here!', beckoning derisively. Given to much finger-wagging and stern lecturing. Particularly hated by all players.

5 The Flashy Ref: Immaculate costume. Always knows where the TV cameras are positioned. Uses flamboyant gestures and often acts out fouls in mime. Appears to have had ballet training and is said to wear hairspray.

6 The Smiley Ref: Has seen it all before and believes that humour is the best way to defuse potentially explosive situations. Is usually one of the older men and is given to much athletic sprinting to prove that he is not. Nearly always smiles when he gives a severe warning - even when swearing at hotheads in their own language. The players'
favourite.

7 The Perfect Ref: Firm but fair. Restrained but decisive. Unmoved by emotional outbursts and the baying of the crowd. Unimpressed by special pleading, and can tell a trip from a dive at fifty yards. A rare species, but not yet extinct.

(Source The Soccer Tribe by Desmond Morris 1981)

GOAL LINE TECHNOLOGY

Further tests with goal-line technology

The International Football Association Board (IFAB), meeting on 4 March in Lucerne (Switzerland) gave the go-ahead for further tests with goal-line technology while clearly stating that technological assistance would be allowed only for determining whether or not a goal has been scored and provided that it gives an immediate indication. In accordance with its principles, the Board therefore gave the green light for the continuation of the experiment launched by adidas and cairos using chip-in-the_ ball technology. The Board also approved an experiment presented by the Italian football association using a digital camera system and UEFA's proposed trial of a referee communication system. Conversely, a request submitted by the French football association for tests with a video assistance system for referees was rejected because the proposed system and its scope went beyond the remit established by the Board and it would lead to delays in the decisions of the referee.

(2006 FIFA Activity Report) 

THIS MONTH'S TOPICS:

This month, we look at 'The Madrid Rule', the size of the penalty spot, handling the ball, and re-entry of an injured player. 

THE MADRID RULE - what is it?

Question: When does a penalty kick actually end?

Answer: Prior to a change in the Laws in season 1987/1988, the Penalty-Kick Law 14 was not clear in defining when a penalty kick had been completed; both when time had been extended at the end of a half to allow for the taking of a penalty kick, or when kicks are being taken from the penalty-mark to decide a winner after a match had ended in a draw.

The so-called 'Madrid Law' (more correctly the Mexico Rule!) sought to minimise future confusion, following a controversial penalty goal, scored by the French player Bruno Bellone in the classic 1986 Mexico World Cup Quarter Final game between France - Brazil. 

The French player Bellone, hit the crossbar during the penalty shoot-out, and the ball came back out and hit the rear of Brazil goalkeeper Carlos and went into the goal. The Referee allowed the goal to count, and France went on to win 4-3 on penalties after a 1-1 draw following extra time. The Referee was Ioan Igna (Romania), and his linesmen were, Vojtech Christov (Czechoslovakia) and Lajos Nemeth (Hungary).

There was a lot of controversy about the French penalty kick at the time. But it was the Scottish Football Association who successfully sought clarification, by proposing the following Law 14 (Penalty Kick) change that was accepted at the 100th International Football Association Board (IFAB) meeting held at Bodysgallen Hall, Llandudno in Wales on Saturday 13th June 1987.

The approved text, was inserted at the bottom of the first paragraph of Law XIV, page 31 of the revised 1987/1988 'Referees' Chart and Players Guide to the Laws of Association Football', and was as follows: 

"When a penalty kick is being taken during the normal course of play, or when time has been extended at half-time or full-time to allow a penalty-kick to be taken or retaken, a goal shall not be nullified if, before passing between the posts and under the cross-bar, the ball touches either or both of the goalposts, or the cross-bar, or the goalkeeper, or any combination of these agencies, providing that no other infringement has occurred." 

At the same time, the following words, were also added to the end of the F. A. Board Decisions No. 6 paragraph as shown in italics below: 

"When a match is extended, at half-time or full-time, to allow a penalty kick to be taken or retaken, the extension shall last until the moment that the penalty-kick has been completed, i.e., until the referee has decided whether a goal is scored or not, and the game shall terminate immediately the Referee has made his decision."

(The gist of these words still appears as part of the modern Law 14 - Penalty Kick).

Previous to season 1987/1988, the wording originally introduced by the IFAB on 17th June 1901 at Llangolen Wales, only referred to a goal being allowed if the ball touched the "goalkeeper" before passing between the posts. It made no mention of the ball bouncing off the framework of the goal and then deflecting into the goal off the goalkeeper. 
(The Penalty Kick Law in the early 1900's, was numbered Law 17.)

The Law XIV International Board Decisions were stripped out of the Law book during the complete Law book re-write for season 1997/1998. This expunged the conflicting Decision No. 7(b) that previously stated, "the game shall terminate immediately the ball rebounds from the goalkeeper, the cross-bar or the goal-post". Some Referees, saw this as a clause that allowed them to end a penalty-kick as soon as the momentum of the ball ceased to travel forwards; and this conflicted with the new wording (and modern thinking) of 1987/1988, which is more aligned to the 'spirit of the game'.

So when does a penalty kick end?

To avoid any confusion, and for those of you who are looking for a simple solution to a very complex problem, the momentum of the kick is the crucial point in deciding when a penalty kick has been completed ………………..

"No matter how many combinations of goalpost, crossbar, goalkeeper's body parts etc. are involved, if the ball ends up in the goal because of the energy imparted onto it by the kicker's boot, a goal should be allowed." 

Those of you, who are looking for a complex solution, which confirm the simple sentiments in the above paragraph, can refer back to FIFA Questions and Answers Booklet 1990, which specifically addressed every possibility when a penalty kick is completed at the extension of time and at kicks from the penalty mark. The over-elaborate detail, has been dropped from the later editions of FIFA Questions and Answers Booklets, but the concepts will still apply, until superseded by a change in the Laws. 

PENALTY SPOT SIZE?

Question: Does the penalty spot have a particular size or dimension?

Answer. No, there is no size stipulated in the current Laws, but a 9 inch dimension has been mentioned in the past.
The 9 inch dimension has never been specified with regards to the penalty spot in the Laws, but there is a clue to its origin. Way back in the 1956 FA Referees' Chart, the Preface refers to the inclusion of "interpretations of the laws, made from time to time by the Referees' Committee of FIFA...and published for the first time as 'International Board Decisions' ". Within the 'International Board Decisions' on page 4 of the 1956 Referees' Chart, a table of metric equivalents of Imperial measurements was first introduced. But it was not until 1975-1976 season, before the '9 inches = 0.22 metres' measurement appeared in the equivalents table. There was no reference why this 9 inch measurement was included, so it must be assumed that it referred to the dimension of the penalty spot (and possibly the centre mark as well); for there is no other field measurement that could be 9 inches on the field of play. The equivalents table (which included the 9 inch reference), remained in the Law book until it was taken out completely, when the Laws were completely re-written for season 1997-1998.
The inclusion of the equivalents measurement table, suggests that, before 1956, the FIFA Referees' Committee published various interpretations of the laws - to guide non-UK countries - including its version of the field diagram. At some time up to 1975-1976 it was decided to put a size to the penalty mark, which equated to the 9 inch diameter of the ball (logical), but without proposing it to the IFAB to be accepted formally as Law. Some non-UK Law books of 1973 show a 9inch diameter penalty 'spot'. 

Although 'Penalty mark' is the formal law description, it has left the door open to the use of a short line. As the original penalty-kick reference was a line so there is logic in that too. However, for many years, it was a 'Penalty spot' in FA charts and accepted as such.
(Thank you to Stanley Lover for his help in researching this topic).

USSF ADVICE ON DELIBERATE HANDLING:

The following clear USSF advice on handling is excellent.
From: Alfred Kleinaitis
Manager of Referee Development and Education

Subject: Handling Offences
Date: April 27, 2005

Recent incidents in the professional leagues involving possible handling offences have caused considerable comment and debate. For those not officiating the match, multiple camera angles, instant replay, and slow-motion viewing make the debate easier because they allow a leisurely analysis of the facts well after the relevant decision has to be made.

The Laws of the Game declare that a direct free kick is given to the opposing team if a player “handles the ball deliberately (except for the goalkeeper within his own penalty area).” This simple statement defines one of the ten listed offences in the first part of Law 12 (Fouls and Misconduct) and lies at the historical and traditional heart of soccer, a game played with all parts of the body other than the hands. Only the goalkeeper is exempt from this restriction and only while within his own penalty area.

What are the characteristics of a clear handling offence?

• A player deliberately carries, strikes, or propels the ball with the hand or arm
• It is the player’s action that initiates the contact with the ball

What characteristics of ball contact are clearly not handling offences?

• The ball strikes the hand or arm (i.e., the ball initiates the contact)
• The contact is accidental (not the result of action by the player)
• The contact is the result of a purely reflexive effort at self-protection

What are the standards of judgment which the referee will apply when the handling offence is not immediately clear?

• The distance or time within which the player had to react to avoid contact – if there was time to avoid the contact, the likelihood of an offence is greater
• The position of the player’s hand or arm at the time of the contact – if the hand or arm is carried in an unnatural or unusual position (e.g., high up in the air or, while defending against a free kick, far away from the body), the likelihood of an offence is greater
• Directing the ball after initial accidental or reflexive contact – if the player takes advantage to control or push the ball away, a handling offence has occurred

The referee, with input from the assistant referees, must make the immediate decision based on the best available evidence in an increasingly fast-paced game. This difficult decision must be respected and final.

ENTRY OF AN INJURED PLAYER

Question: When should a Referee signal an injured player to return to play?

Answer:

• After the match has restarted.
• Only after the injured player has recovered from injury.
• When the Referee is satisfied that any bleeding has stopped, and that no blood is on the clothing.
• Player can enter from the touchline when the ball is in play.
• Player can enter from any boundary line when the ball is not in play.
• Any such player may only return to the field of play after inspection by the referee which, through necessity, will normally be during a stoppage of the play and at the touch line.
• Where appropriate, the referee may delegate inspection duty to an Assistant Referee or a Fourth Official.
• The player is only allowed to return to the field of play on receiving a signal from the referee.
• The Referee must take care, not to allow the injured player to enter when play is near to the entry point, as this could result in problems occurring. 
• The Referee should wait until the ball is far enough away from the entry point, before signalling for the player to enter the field. In other words, during play, the re-entry of the injured player, should not have an immediate effect on the ensuing play action.
  

Let me have your thoughts on this month's topics. Regards Julian Carosi

I hope that you have enjoyed this issue of the newsletter, and that you are all continuing to enjoy your refereeing roles.  All the very warmest wishes to you all, wherever you are in the world.

Regards, Julian Carosi (Newsletter Editor):

Disclaimer: The content of this newsletter is not sanctioned by or affiliated with any governing body of soccer. The opinions expressed here are sometimes those of the Corsham Referee webmaster and the readers, or from other media sources. Reference to the male gender in this newsletter is for simplification only, and apply to both males and females. All rights of the current Laws mentioned in this newsletter are reserved by FIFA, and they are the official laws of the International Football Association Board. The Editor is not obliged to publicise unsolicited manuscripts or photos.

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