I outlined a framework to assess the impact of Honest Mistakes in the SPFL..
Today, we cover the games from match day 13 – 6th and 7th November.
Reminder
I am indebted to the Yorkshire Whistler for providing expert judgement of these key potentially game changing moments and providing an unbiased assessment of the correct decision.
I do not always agree with his conclusions mainly because;
a) I am biased;
b) I do not know the Laws of the Game intimately as he does; and
c) I do not have experience of refereeing football matches.
You may also relate to those constraints. Be honest!
As described in the framework, where an in-game decision is deemed incorrect, there is an Expected Points impact for the “wronged” team and this is indicated.
I’ll keep a running tally.
Here we go.
07/11/21 Dundee v Celtic
Incident 1
| Date | 07/11/21 | Referee | Alan Muir |
| Game | Dundee v Celtic | Game Minute | 8th |
| Incident | Jota scores after a Ralston shot hits the post |
| Outcome | Goal awarded |
| Evidence | BBC iPlayer – Sportscene – 2021/22: 07/11/2021
At 4m 42sec |
| Yorkshire Whistler Verdict | Celtic forward hits a shot from outside the box on target with various players inside the penalty area. The shot deflects off a Dundee defender, hits the post and Jota scores the rebound.
Jota was stood offside as the initial shot was hit by his team mate but was correctly adjudged to have not gained an advantage as (under Law 12): ‘A player in an offside position receiving the ball from an opponent who deliberately plays the ball, including by deliberate handball, is not considered to have gained an advantage, unless it was a deliberate save by any opponent.’ As the Dundee defender went to play the ball with his head to block the initial shot, this would be deemed a deliberate act to then play the ball. Verdict: Correct decision |
| Expected Points
Outcome |
No impact |
Incident 2
| Date | 07/11/21 | Referee | Alan Muir |
| Game | Dundee v Celtic | Game Minute | 55th |
| Incident | Celtic cross into box, Furuhashi goes down |
| Outcome | Play on |
| Evidence | BBC iPlayer – Sportscene – 2021/22: 07/11/2021
At 8m 39s |
| Yorkshire Whistler Verdict | Kyogo goes down in the box after contact is made by the Dundee defender as a cross comes into the box. I would say that contact is minimal and Kyogo drops to the floor upon feeling the contact. The defender only has eyes on the ball, and as the ball begins to go over his head, his natural body movement is simply to follow the flight. This movement sees him pivot his body and it’s part of this movement that sees his arm accidental make contact with Kyogo. It is not reckless or dangerous in any way, is natural body movement and does not constitute a foul.
Verdict: Correct no foul decision. |
| Expected Points
Outcome |
No impact |
Incident 3
| Date | 07/11/21 | Referee | Alan Muir |
| Game | Dundee v Celtic | Game Minute | 88th |
| Incident | Dundee corner comes into box and Celtic are awarded a free kick |
| Outcome | Foul awarded to Celtic |
| Evidence | BBC iPlayer – Sportscene – 2021/22: 07/11/2021
At 15m 11s |
| Yorkshire Whistler Verdict | As the cross is swung into the Celtic box there are two separate Celtic v Dundee players trying to get on the end of the cross. There will always be an element of jostling and contact when trying to win this kind of ball into the box from a set piece.
Having watched the replay several times and looking at both separate challenges, I cannot see enough contact from any of the parties involved. I do not believe a foul was committed by the Dundee player who was given the foul against. Equally I do not feel the other Dundee player was fouled either (as he appears to be asking for a penalty for holding) Verdict: Incorrect decision. No foul committed by either player. |
| Expected Points
Outcome |
No impact |
07/11/21 The Rangers vs Ross County
| Date | 07/11/21 | Referee | David Munro |
| Game | TRFC v Ross County | Game Minute | 5th |
| Incident | Hungbo scores for Ross County |
| Outcome | Goal to Ross County |
| Evidence | BBC iPlayer – Sportscene – 2021/22: 07/11/2021
At 22m |
| Yorkshire Whistler Verdict | The Ross County forward is put through on goal and slots home past the Rangers keeper. Rangers are asking for an offside and this (is) an incredibly tight decision.
To the naked eye the assistant referee feels the striker is level as ball is played and keeps flag down. Even after watching the replay several times, and with the angle of footage offered, I cannot conclusively say Hungbo is offside by what would be mere millimetres.
Verdict: Correct decision. No conclusive footage to show Hungbo was offside as the ball is played, goal stands. |
| Expected Points
Outcome |
No Impact |
Summary
My thanks as always to the Yorkshire Whistler.
Of the 4 incidents in the 2 matches, the referees seem to have got 3 out of 4 correct but even the error did not have an impact on the Expected Points totals.
Overall, a great week for the gentlemen in black.
Expected Points Table
The Expected Points table is therefore as it was:
At the moment, based on xPts, Celtic have 1.13 less points than expected due to Honest Mistakes and The Rangers have 2.2 more points than expected.
The current gap at the top of the table is 4 points.