Bringing us up to date with the big calls reviewed from Match Week 12 and 13 in the SPFL.
Despite VAR, there remains uncertainty over the big calls for reasons of inconsistency and people being unsure of the protocols and procedures.
As ever, the Yorkshire Whistler is here to help.
The impact of that call being incorrect can then be evaluated using the framework outlined here -> Honest Mistakes in the SPFL.
29/10/22 The Rangers vs Aberdeen
Incident 1
Referee | Nick Walsh |
Game Minute | 59th |
Incident | Ball hits Duk in the penalty area |
Outcome | Penalty to TRFC |
Evidence | Rangers 4-1 Aberdeen | The Gers secure an emphatic comeback win at Ibrox | cinch Premiership – YouTube
At 2:55 |
22/10/22 Livingston vs Celtic
Incident 1
Referee | Willie Collum |
Game Minute | 82nd |
Incident | Shinnie blocks a cross in the penalty area |
Outcome | Penalty to Celtic |
Evidence | Livingston 0-3 Celtic | Hoops Restore Four Point Lead At The Top of The Table | cinch Premiership – YouTube
At 2:42 |
Yorkshire Whistler Verdict | Ball hits Shinnie in the box
Initial on field decision: Penalty awarded to Celtic and yellow card shown to Shinnie Celtic player fires in a cross and it’s blocked by Shinnie but after review handball is given. Given the proximity of defender to ball when it is struck, element of sympathy towards Shinnie here. It’s not a deliberate handball at all, but you can see he raises his hands in front of his chest whilst going for a low block with his foot. I cannot justify this arm movement as natural for this specific movement and so feel the penalty for hand ball and yellow card for preventing a promising attack is right. ADDENDUM: My opinion given how close the ball was to the goal when the cross was made is that this should have been a 2nd yellow card offence and red card for second caution shown. Verdict: Correct decision to award penalty. Incorrect decision not to issue a YC. |
Expected Points
Outcome |
ADDENDUM – Shinnie had already been booked and therefore should have received a second yellow card.
Celtic -0.35 xPts |
05/11/22 Celtic vs Dundee Utd
Incident 1
Referee | David Dickinson |
Game Minute | 12th |
Incident | Bernabei blocks Fletcher shot |
Outcome | Penalty to Dundee Utd; YC to Bernabei |
Evidence | Celtic 4-2 Dundee United | Astonishing last minute Celtic comeback! | cinch Premiership – YouTube
At 1:02 |
Yorkshire Whistler Verdict | Ball hits Bernabei in box
Initial on field decision: Penalty awarded to Dundee Utd and yellow card shown to Bernabei Cross comes into Celtic box, hits the head of two Dundee Utd players before ricocheting onto an already in flight Bernabei. I found this decision baffling to be honest. Even in slow motion I cannot question Bernabei’s body shape here as he jumps to win the header. He is literally less than a yard from the Dundee Utd players and can do nothing as has zero reaction time to respond to the second header. I therefore feel his body shape and arm movement at the time of the accidental hand ball are perfectly naturally and cannot understand why the on-field referee was recommended to review this incident as a clear and obvious error. It was not. Verdict: Incorrect decision to award the hand ball and issue the yellow card |
Expected Points
Outcome |
Celtic -0.47 xPts |
Summary
My thanks as always to the Yorkshire Whistler.
The handball law in particular seems to be being applied inconsistently resulting in a slew of penalties, and non-penalties in some cases.
Such inconsistency should result in a random distribution of penalties across all the teams in the SPFL.
Ok.
With the “baffling” Dundee United penalty, a change to the overall xPts picture for the season:
Based on the in-match game state when the decisions were made (or not made), The Rangers have 1.08 MORE points than expected due to the cumulative impact of Honest Mistakes and Celtic 2.27 LESS.
A swing of 3.35 xPts. (Note amended to account for the Shinnie non sending off versus Celtic)
Celtic led by seven points after 13 matches.
Tamcod says
You will find it hard to get a ref. Without a rangers allegiance
Tam says
I look forward to hearing how the Hearts penalty claim and the Jota offside are viewed by the whistler. I’ve read that the flag went up after the ball went in, which means the proof has to be that it was onside, rather than conclusively offside if the flag stayed down.
I’d like to know what the guidance is here as it seems another easy way for officials to cover their arses by raising or nor raising the flag depending on which team is doing the attacking.
Pan says
I think this does point to excess refereeing on the part of the VAR Official.
Let the bloody referee make decisions. VAR should NOT be used to influence and put pressure on referees. This is what is happening and it is creating more inconsistency.
Martin says
Yes, I think the main pattern we’re seeing here is VAR being too keen to jump in and get involved. Hopefully as we grow used to it that settles down, but I have doubts.
The handball law in particular is being targeted by VAR and applied very strangely. I would say that those expecting YW to claim Hearts should’ve had a penalty for handball may be disappointed. But the issue isn’t that that should have been a penalty (it absolutely shouldn’t) but that these things ARE being given as penalties in other games, to the bafflement of many. But crucially (as yet) haven’t been given against one very prominent team, or for another, despite opportunities.
James Anthony Barr says
Pity the Yorkshire Whistler didn`t officiate in Scotland.
There might be occasions when I don`t totally agree with him but I would always trust him. I certainly cannot say that about referees in Scotland.