Germany 4-0 Australia | Khedira denied penalty

Description: After missing a chance to score himself, Klose crossed into the 6 yard box for Khedira to attack. As he came in to hit the ball past the defender on the line, Moore came across to challenge. The result, no penalty and goal kick as it was adjudged to have come off Khedira last.

Date of Game: Sunday 13th June 2010

Home Team: Germany | Away Team: Australia

Referee: Marco Rodriguez Moreno (MEX) | Linesman: Jose Camargo (MEX) & Alberto Morin (MEX)

Decision Type: Penalty | Verdict:

Decision Difficulty: 4/5 | Affect on result: 1/5 | Score: -3

Affect on Result: None as Germany went on to win 4-0 anyway | Winner: Australia | Loser: Germany

Players Involved: Sami Khedira (Germany) & Craig Moore (Australia)

Summary: I found this a tough one to call and had to watch a number of replays before I could even force myself into a decision. Ultimately, I thought it was a penalty as Moore got none of the ball and definitely caught Khedira. My only debate was whether or not Khedira had control of the ball or whether he actually missed the chance before the collision. My conclusion, Moore's challenge occurred as Khedira went for the ball.

View highlights & match summary of Germany vs Australia on BBC

Cheers,
WB

Share|

Germany 4-0 Australia | Garcia denied penalty for handball

Description: The ball was swung into the German penalty area for Garcia to head towards goal. It flicked off of Mertesacker and there were extremely loud calls for handball from a number of Australia's players. The referee had none of it.

Date of Game: Sunday 13th June 2010

Home Team: Germany | Away Team: Australia

Referee: Marco Rodriguez Moreno (MEX) | Linesman: Jose Camargo (MEX) & Alberto Morin (MEX)

Decision Type: Penalty | Verdict:

Decision Difficulty: 2/5 | Affect on result: 2/5 | Score: 4

Affect on Result: It would have given Australia a glimmer of hope. But that's being kind | Winner: Germany | Loser: Australia

Players Involved: Per Mertesacker (Germany) & Richard Garcia (Australia)

Summary: I feel this was a relatively straight forward decision; Mertesacker's hand wasn't too far away from his body and the ball was deflected onto it from a yard away so I do not think you can give a penalty.

View highlights & match summary of Germany vs Australia on BBC

Cheers,
WB

Share|

Serbia 0-1 Ghana | Ghana awarded penalty for handball by Kuzmanović

Description: The ball was swung into the Serbian penalty area and, as Prince-Boetang lined up a volley at goal, it appeared to strike Kuzmanović's arm and the referee awarded a penalty to Ghana. Gyan duly dispatched for 1-0 Ghana.

Date of Game: Sunday 13th June 2010

Home Team: Serbia | Away Team: Ghana

Referee: Hector Baldassi (ARG) | Linesman: Ricardo Casas (ARG) & Hernan Maidana (ARG)

Decision Type: Penalty | Verdict:

Decision Difficulty: 1/5 | Affect on result: 5/5 | Score: 6

Affect on Result: Massive. It gave Ghana their winning goal | Winner: Ghana | Loser: Serbia

Players Involved: Zdravko Kuzmanović (Serbia) & Asamoah Gyan (Ghana)

Summary: Wow. After labelling Ghazzel of Algeria an idiot, we get an almost identical offence by Kuzmanović only this time it was in his own area and gave away a penalty (and the winning goal). I cannot offer any explanation for Kuzmanović's actions. The referee got it right and it handed Ghana a deserved victory as Serbia continued to hit the self-destruct button.

It was such an obvious handball it is a decision you'd hope referees would get right, but that doesn't mean they always will, especially when it was clear what impact it would have on the game being so late in proceedings.

View highlights & match summary of Serbia vs Ghana on BBC

Cheers,
WB

Share|

Argentina 1-0 Nigeria | Maxi denied penalty for clash with Kaita

Description: Maxi Rodríguez turned inside the Nigerian penalty area. Kaita came in to challenge for the ball and both players went tumbling in a sea of arms & legs. The referee had none of it.

Date of Game: Saturday 12th June 2010

Home Team: Argentina | Away Team: Nigeria

Referee: Wolfgang Stark (GER) | Linesman: Jan-Hendrik Salver (GER) & Mike Pickel (GER)

Decision Type: Penalty | Verdict:

Decision Difficulty: 3/5 | Affect on result: 1/5 | Score: -4

Affect on Result: None, except it would have allowed Argentina to see the game out in a more relaxed fashion | Winner: Nigeria | Loser: Argentina

Players Involved: Maxi Rodríguez (Argentina) & Sani Kaita (Nigeria)

Summary: Kaita completely missed the ball when he came in to challenge, I think it actually went between his legs and then he tumbled, raised his arm and prevent Maxi from getting around him. For me, it was a definite penalty, despite what Mick McCarthy said on the BBC commentary.

View highlights & match summary of Argentina vs Nigeria on BBC

Cheers,
WB

Share|

South Korea 2-0 Greece | Lee Chung-Yong denied penalty for clash with Torosidis

Description of incident: Early in the game, with South Korea already 1-0 up, Lee Chung-Yong powered into the Greek penalty area where there was a tangling of legs between him and Torosidis. Despite the claims for a penalty, the ref waved play on.

Date of Game: Saturday 12th June 2010

Home Team: South Korea | Away Team: Greece

Referee: Michael Hester (NZL) | Linesman: Jan-Hendrik Hintz (NZL) & Tevita Makasini (TGA)

Decision Type: Penalty | Verdict:

Decision Difficulty: 2/5 | Affect on result: 1/5 | Score: 3

Affect on Result: None really, only denying South Korea more comfort in this easy victory | Winner: Greece | Loser: South Korea

Players Involved: Lee Chung-Yong (South Korea) & Vasilios Torosidis (Greece)

Summary: There is some debate in this decision and I have seen many similar clashes result in a penalty however, I felt it was a genuine tangling of legs as Lee raised his foot to shoot. I do not feel Torosidis was stretching for the ball when the players clashed, he was simply tracking back.

View highlights & match summary of South Korea vs Greece on BBC

Cheers,
WB

Share|

Uruguay 0-0 France | Henry's penalty shout for handball

Description of incident: Late in the game, a cross was swung into the Uruguayan penalty area where it fell to Henry. His shot bounced up and hit Victorino on the hand. The referee waved away Henry's loud penalty requests.

Date of Game: Friday 11th June 2010

Home Team: Uruguay | Away Team: France

Referee: Yuichi Nishimura (JPN) | Linesman: Toru Sagara (JPN) & Hae Sang Jeong (KOR)

Decision Type: Penalty | Verdict:

Decision Difficulty: 1/5 | Affect on result: 5/5 | Score: 6

Affect on Result: If a penalty had been given, it would almost definitely have given France the victory | Winner: Uruguay | Loser: France

Players Involved: Waldemar Victorino (Uruguay) & Thierry Henry (France)

Summary: Both of Victorino's hands were tucked in tight to his body. There is no was you could claim it was deliberate, he didn't gain control of the ball and it hit his body as well, which it would have hit even if his hand wasn't there. Definitely the right decision...despite the extremely loud calls to the contrary.

View highlights & match summary of Uruguay vs France on BBC

Cheers,
WB

Share|

South Africa 1-1 Mexico | Modise denied penalty for clash with Rodriguez

Description of incident: Mexico were split right down the middle and Modise raced clear. Rodriguez tracked back and challenged Modise for the ball who went tumbling to the ground calling for a penalty.

Date of Game: Friday 11th June 2010

Home Team: South Africa | Away Team: Mexico

Referee: Ravshan Irmatov (UZB) | Linesman: Rafael Ilyasov (UZB) & Bahadyr Kochkarov (KGZ)

Decision Type: Penalty | Verdict:

Decision Difficulty: 2/5 | Affect on result: 5/5 | Score: 7

Affect on Result: If a penalty had been given, it would have most likely led to a 2-0 lead to South Africa, so this had a massive affect on the final score | Winner: Mexico | Loser: South Africa

Players Involved: Teko Modise (South Africa) & Francisco Rodriguez (Mexico)

Summary: For me, this was a fairly straight forward decision but I'm sure there are a lot of people that would disagree. I just think it was shoulder-to-shoulder and if that was a foul, it's a sad day for football as a contact sport.

View highlights & match summary of South Africa vs Mexico on BBC

Cheers,
WB

Share|

Tottenham Vs Aston Villa | Defoe penalty appeal turned down

Description of incident: Defoe controlled the ball just inside the Villa area and Petrov came in from the side to challenge. Defoe went crashing to the floor and the ref, clearly struggling to see the incident clearly, waved play on despite the loud appeals.

Date of Game: Saturday 6th February 2010

Home Team: Tottenham | Away Team: Aston Villa

Referee: Chris Foy | Linesman: Phil Sharp & Martin Yerby

Decision Type: Penalty | Verdict: | Decision Difficulty: 2/5

Affect on Result: Arguably denied Tottenham a vital victory | Winner: Aston Villa | Loser: Tottenham

Players Involved: Martin Petrov (Aston Villa) & Jemain Defoe (Tottenham)

Summary: The referee was bending and stretching to see the incident around a crowd of players. He clearly failed as this was a blatant penalty; Petrov took Defoe's leg away. If he saw it, he would have come to the same conclusion. Either way, wrong decision, the penalty should have been given.

Cheers,
WB

Share|

Share|

Manchester United Vs Porstmouth | Rooney penalty shout

Description of incident: With the score still at nil-nil, Rooney swiveled with the ball inside the Portsmouth area. The turn blocked off Piquionne's approach and Rooney went tumbling over the ball when Frenchman reached him. The ref waved play on despite Rooney's appeal.

Date of Game: Saturday 6th February 2010

Home Team: Manchester United | Away Team: Portsmouth

Referee: Lee Mason | Linesman: Jake Collin & Paul Thompson

Decision Type: Penalty | Verdict: | Decision Difficulty: 4/5

Affect on Result: None | Winner: Portsmouth | Loser: Manchester United

Players Involved: Wayne Rooney (Man Utd) & Frederic Piquionne (Porstmouth)

Summary: It was a wonderful turn by Rooney, confusing everyone around him. At first glance it looked as though Piquionne had maybe applied the brakes too late and giving a penalty would have been harsh however, video replays clearly show that he pushed the United striker in the back. The ref got this one wrong, although it had no affect on the result, it should have been a penalty.



Cheers,
WB

Share|

Share|

Fulham Vs Portsmouth | O'Hara penalty claim

Description of incident: O'Hara was attempting to control a bouncing ball just inside the Fulham penalty area. Danny Murphy came in with a fairly high, out-stretched leg and O'Hara went tumbling. The ref was unimpressed and allowed play to continue.

Date of Game: Wednesday 6th February 2010

Home Team: Fulham | Away Team: Portsmouth

Referee: Anthony Taylor | Linesman: Mick McDonough & Phil Sharp

Decision Type: Penalty | Verdict: | Decision Difficulty: 1/5

Affect on Result: N/A | Winner: Fulham | Loser: Portsmouth

Players Involved: Jamie O'Hara (Porstmouth) & Danny Murphy (Fulham)

Summary: Although Murphy's challenge was relatively high, he was attempting to control a bouncing ball. O'Hara went crashing down all of his own accord. I don't think it was a dive but there wasn't any contact between the two players so no penalty was the right decision by the referee.

Cheers,
WB

Share|

Share|

Hull City Vs Chelsea | Lampard penalty appeal

Description of incident: In a flowing Chelsea attack, Anelka danced through to the edge of the area where a Hull defender stretched out a leg which the Frenchman collided with. The ball rolled through to Lampard inside the area as two Hull players came in to challenge. Lampard tumbled but the ref had (only just) blown for a foul on Anelka.

Date of Game: Tuesday 2nd February 2010

Home Team: Hull City | Away Team: Chelsea

Referee: Mark Clattenburg | Linesman: Darren Cann & Scott Ledger

Decision Type: Penalty | Verdict: | Decision Difficulty: 3/5

Affect on Result: N/A | Winner: Hull City | Loser: Chelsea

Players Involved: Nicolas Anelka & Frank Lampard (Chelsea)

Summary: On first viewing, this looked like a really decent claim for a penalty because of the way that Lampard fell. However, with the benefit of video replay, it can be seen that Lampard has already tumbled and lost control of the ball before any Hull player touched him. And even then, it would have been tough to have classed the collision as worthy of a penalty. Right decision, free kick on the edge but no penalty.

Full match highlights from

Hull City v Chelsea
by eldoronaldo

Cheers,
WB

Share|

Share|

Hull City Vs Chelsea | Did Deco handle the ball in the penalty area?

Description of incident: With the score still at nil-nil, Deco & Altidore challenged for the bouncing ball just inside the Chelsea area. It squirmed between them and at times both players had arms out-stretched. There were loud shouts for handball against Deco but Clattenburg allowed play to continue.

Date of Game: Tuesday 2nd February 2010

Home Team: Hull City | Away Team: Chelsea

Referee: Mark Clattenburg | Linesman: Darren Cann & Scott Ledger

Decision Type: Penalty | Verdict: | Decision Difficulty: 2/5

Affect on Result: N/A | Winner: Chelsea | Loser: Hull City

Players Involved: Deco (Chelsea) & Craig Fagan (Hull City)

Summary: Although Deco did have out-stretched arms during the challenge, replays showed that the only time the ball hit his hand or arm was when it was withdrawn in at his chest. Correct decision, no penalty.

Full match highlights from

Hull City v Chelsea
by eldoronaldo

Cheers,
WB

Share|

Share|