ASK THE REF:  What Action Would You Take?

Keith Hackett and Paul Trevillion's You Are the Ref series is a cult classic in England.  Now this famous series comes to America on SoccerNation! 

At the elite level of soccer refereeing, sometimes it is fun to turn the tables and say "You are the Ref" and ask the question; What action would you take?

Keith Hackett says "When coaching Referees I emphasise the importance of ensuring that the defensive wall at free kicks is the required distance of 9.15m."

"Cristiano Ronaldo, who is featured this week, is a player who benefitted greatly with some terrific goals when he played in the English Premier League due to the consistent approach by our Referees to work hard at getting the wall back," says Hackett, who continues with "Come on you Referees apply the law please!"

This is a great example of one of the many difficult questions referees must handle in the split second of action in a high paced soccer game.  What would you decide if you were the ref?  Was this intentional and a foul?  Does this deserve a yellow card?  Come on Arm Chair Refs...what would you do?

The referee experts say play should be stopped.  Show the defender a yellow card for entering the field without permission.  If the trip on the field was reckless, then show the defender a second yellow card followed by a red card. Restart the game with a direct free kick. It is not a straight red card for denying an obvious goal scoring opportunity because the foul was two yards from the sideline/touchline...so the goal scoring chance was not automatic. What would you do with the other two situations?  Tell us and enter to win the drawing for free tickets to the San Diego Sockers.  Ref@SoccerNation.com

 

 

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Keith Hackett is a world class ref and the author of You Are the Ref, the Ultimate Illustrated Guide to the Laws of Football and the new book, You Are the Umpire.  The books are available on Amazon.com.  The amazing illustrations are by Paul Trevillion. 

You Are The Ref is a cult classic comic strip in England.  SN is thrilled to bring this to our American soccer audience and share these stunning portraits of soccer stars from all eras. For anyone who has ever questioned a ref's eyesight or grappd with a clearly 'wrong' call, now it is your turn! 

According to David James, "Anyone who loves the game knows You Are The Ref.  Paul Trevillion's brillant art has been around for generations!"

 

Any opinions expressed in this column shall not be construed as advice on Laws of the Game, and may not represent the official position of US Soccer, the United States Soccer Federation (USSF), CalSouth, the Presidio League, or any affiliates thereof unless specified with appropriate attribution or reference.