So berating the referee can work…
Have you ever sat watching a football match and, at the sight of a referee being surrounded by players following a decision, said: “What do they think they’re going to accomplish? As if the ref will change his mind.”
Well, you might want to rethink that stance because, it turns out, it works from time to time.
England claimed a 2-0 victory over Spain on Sunday night to move three points clear at the top of Group D at Women’s Euro 2017.
But, with the score treacherously poised at 1-0 and Spain coming closer to an equaliser, the game looked like it had been turned on its head by a refereeing decision.
Ellen White got her boot to a Spanish cross into the box but the ball sliced up and hit her on the left arm.
Referee called for a penalty and then awarded a drop ball. What even? #ENGESP #WEURO2017 pic.twitter.com/GBCNToT7IG
— Ann Odong 🐨🇺🇬 (@AnnOdong) July 23, 2017
The referee pointed to the spot and Spain had been handed a gilt edge chance to restore parity.
But the next sequence of play was the English goalkeeper sending the ball up-field after the official seemingly changed her mind.
A conversation with Lucy Bronze convinced referee Carina Vitulano to overturn a decision after being reminded of the rules.
Speaking about the incident after the game, Bronze revealed how the chat played out.
“Before the tournament, Uefa send referees in to have meetings with you and they said if it hits you or is a deflection it’s not really a handball – you can’t really help it,” Bronze told the BBC.
“I saw it right in front of me and I was like ‘that is not a penalty’ – it’s hit her leg and then gone up and hit her arm. It’s a deflection and [the referee] said ‘you’re right, it’s my mistake’.
https://twitter.com/LucyBronze/status/889251877866614787
“Fair play to her for doing that. I don’t think a lot of referees would be brave enough to do that in such a big game and such a big decision.
“I think the Spanish girls were a bit disappointed and annoyed but, if they watch it back, they will see it is a completely accidental handball.”
Bronze added: “There are a lot of grey areas. I really paid attention [in those meetings]. I had my book out and everything, making sure if I was playing I knew exactly what was a yellow card and red card.
“There are some different kind of refereeing laws this tournament so, as a defender, you really need to be switched on.”
