Exclusive Insights: Chris Foy Reveals Controversial EFL Rulings involving Queens Park Rangers, Middlesbrough, and Wrexham+
Former Premier League referee Chris Foy analyzes the latest EFL matches, including QPR vs Sunderland, Blackburn vs Middlesbrough, Derby vs Portsmouth, Exeter vs Cheltenham, and Wrexham vs Grimsby Get insights into the key decisions and their impact on the games
Back again is Behind the Whistle, featuring former Premier League referee Chris Foy, as he analyzes crucial match decisions from the most recent Sky Bet Championship, League One, and League Two matches. The objective of Behind the Whistle is to offer EFL club supporters an inside look into the reasoning behind decision-making and to provide clarity on specific calls, allowing for a better understanding of how the rules of the game are interpreted.
As part of a regular feature on We following the conclusion of a matchday, Foy will be here to run you through some refereeing matters in the EFL…
Sky Bet Championship
QPR 1-3 Sunderland
Incident: Potential red card - serious foul play (QPR)
Decision: Red card awarded - serious foul play (QPR)
Foy states that the referee's actions were decisive and his positioning was perfect to make a correct judgement. The incident in question meets all the criteria for a serious foul play offense, warranting a red card. The challenge involved a lunge with the dominant left leg forcefully and forcefully making contact with the opponent's right calf, posing a clear risk to his safety.
Blackburn Rovers 2-1 Middlesbrough
Incident: Goal scored - potential offside (Middlesbrough)
Result: The decision has been made to award the goal to Middlesbrough.
Foy states: After reviewing a replay of the incident, it appears that the Middlesbrough attacker is slightly offside when the ball is last passed by a teammate.
Despite his attempts to align himself with the penultimate defender, he appears to maintain an offside position when the ball is passed across, thereby resulting in an erroneous decision. The match officials uphold high standards, and I believe the assistant referee will be disappointed about failing to make the correct call in this instance since the goal should have been disallowed due to offside.
Sky Bet League One
Despite his efforts to synchronize with the second-to-last defenderDerby County 1-1 Portsmouth
, he seems to remain offside when the ball is played across. As a consequence, this judgment proves to be incorrect. The match officials hold themselves to rigorous standards, and I presume that the assistant referee will be disappointed not to have made the accurate decision in this case, as the goal should have been invalidated due to offside.Incident: Goal scored - potential handball/offside (Portsmouth)
Decision: Goal awarded (Portsmouth)
Foy explains that there are two factors to consider in this decision. Firstly, there is a potential handball at the beginning of the play. Secondly, there is a question of offside involving the player who scored the goal.
Regarding the potential handball, although there is movement of the arm, the ball actually hits the top of the shoulder of the Portsmouth player. As a result, this cannot be considered a handball. Additionally, it is worth noting that the referee is in a good position to accurately assess this situation.
The decision made by the assistant referee regarding the potential offside aspect of this play is truly commendable. It is worth noting that when the ball is last touched into the path of the goal scorer, Derby's No 3's trailing leg effectively keeps the forward onside. This decision, made at such a crucial moment in the contest, is undoubtedly a good one.
Exeter City 1-0 Cheltenham Town
Incident: Potential penalty (Exeter City)
Decision: No penalty awarded (Exeter City)
Foy explains that the handball law is subjective and relies on various factors that the referee must consider. In this particular situation, Exeter's No 8 unintentionally hits the ball with his own arm while trying to clear it from the defensive penalty area. Furthermore, he slips and uses his arm to maintain balance and make a successful connection with the ball. Considering all of these factors, it is best to allow play to continue, as this is the most appropriate outcome in such circumstances.
Sky Bet League Two
Wrexham 3-0 Grimsby Town
Incident: Goal scored - potential offside (Wrexham)
Decision: Goal awarded (Wrexham)
Foy says: This is a good decision from the assistant referee and the correct call to allow the goal to stand.
The Grimsby Town defender is currently in the process of recovering from an earlier incident on the field and is attempting to regain his footing and align himself with his teammates. However, he falls short of achieving this, resulting in the Wrexham goal scorer being in a legally positioned onside stance.
