Behind the Whistle: Former referee Chris Foy analyses decisions from the Championship, League One and League Two | Football News happymamay

In this edition of Behind the Whistle, former Premier League referee Chris Foy reviews a selection of key match decisions from matches over the festive period in the Sky Bet Championship, League One and League Two.

Behind the Whistle aims to give supporters of EFL clubs an insight into decision-making considerations as well as clarify some of the calls to provide an understanding of how the Laws of the Game are interpreted.

As part of a regular feature on Sky Sports after matchday, Foy will be here to guide you through some of the EFL refereeing matters…

Sky Bet Championship

Coventry City 4-0 Plymouth Argyle

Incident – Possible penalty kick, foul (Coventry City)

Decision – No penalty (Coventry City)

Foy says: “For me, the referee misinterpreted what happened here, as it should have been a penalty kick for Coventry City.

“Although the referee put himself in a good position, looking at the play from an unobstructed angle, and despite there being a crowded area and a rapidly developing phase of play, he did not call Plymouth Argyle foul 39, which I feel is reckless.

“The Plymouth man slips into the tackle quickly and fails to win the ball, so he is very lucky not to be awarded a penalty or booked here.”

Burnley 0-0 Stoke City

Incident – Possible red card, violent behavior (Burnley)

Decision – Red card – violent behavior (Burnley)

Foy says: “This is an excellent example of a red card for violent behaviour, and the type of incident we don’t want to see in football.

“As the Burnley player goes to recover the ball from the corner, he deliberately stands on the Stoke City player’s No. 22.

“This was clearly deliberate, non-footballing behavior that could have been avoided. Given the degree of force, a direct red card is absolutely the correct decision and an excellent point by the referee.”

Derby County 0-1 Leeds United

Incident – Possible red card for a high foot (Derby County)

Decision – No red card (Derby County)

Foy says: “I think the referee made that decision straight away, because it could have easily been seen as a red card.

“Although the Derby County player’s foot is clearly elevated, he keeps his eyes on the ball all the time and does not catch his opponent with the spikes.

“It is undoubtedly an offense that deserves a warning, but the fact that he caught his opponent with the top of his foot and not with the spikes, and this was a genuine attempt to win the ball, is enough to indicate that he does not deserve a direct red card.” “The referee had a good view of this and correctly warned him of a reckless challenge.”

Watford 1-2 Sheffield United

Incident – Possible penalty (Watford)

Decision – No penalty kick awarded (Watford)

Foy says: “This is an excellent call by the referee, because he puts both elements of the decision in place. Firstly, he correctly determined that the challenge inside the box from the Sheffield United player was fair and that he won the ball.

“Secondly, he then takes a goal kick, which might make people think there is no handling of the ball, so why not a penalty kick. What is really happening is that the Sheffield United player is playing the ball against his opponent.

“Not having a penalty and a goal kick is absolutely the right result and a great decision overall, highlighting the importance of positioning and awareness.”

Sky Bet Premier League

Birmingham City 2-0 Burton Albion

Incident – Possible penalty kick, foul (Birmingham City)

Decision – Penalty kick awarded (Birmingham City)

Foy says: “In my view, Burton Albion were very unfortunate to award a penalty here, because I don’t think the criteria for awarding a penalty were met.

“Birmingham’s No.14 moves clearly across the path of the Burton Albion defender, ‘creating a back’ to the defender who naturally jumps, without jumping himself, and thus creating contact that results in the striker falling to the ground under the defender’s weight.” .

“For me, this call was instigated by a Birmingham player and he is actually the one who should be punished here. The correct decision was to award a defensive free-kick to Burton Albion.”

Bristol Rovers 2-3 Leyton Orient

Incident – Goal scored, possible handball (Leyton Orient)

Decision – Disallowed goal (Leyton Orient)

Foy says: “This is another example of excellent awareness and careful judgment from the referee, as the No. 24 spotted the Bristol Rovers player using his hand to direct the ball into goal at the back post.

“With the home team wanting to equalize in the last few minutes of the game, the crowded penalty area can make it difficult for the referee, but thanks to his positioning, he is able to spot the deliberate use of the arm and award the ball.” Free kick.

“The only thing that should have been different is that the offender should also have been warned for the intentional handball offence.”

Exeter City 4-4 Crawley Town

Incident – Goal scored, possible foul (Exeter City)

Decision – Goal scored (Exeter City)

Foy says: “It was unfortunate that Crawley Town didn’t get a defensive free-kick here, for me.

“As the corner is being taken, Exeter City’s No. 2 leans towards the Crawley Town goalkeeper. The contact clearly affects the goalkeeper and prevents him from reaching the ball.

“The scramble by Exeter player No. 2 met the threshold for a foul and therefore should have been recognized and penalized by the referee, disallowing the goal.”

Sky Bet League Two

Colchester United 2-0 Gillingham

Incident – Goal scored, possible offside (Colchester United)

Decision – Goal disallowed offside (Colchester United)

Foy says: “This is an excellent decision by the assistant referee here, as he correctly identified that the goal scorer in the back corner was in an offside position.

“Although it is very narrow, you can tell from the pitch markings that the Colchester United player at the back post is leaning forward, so his head is in an offside position.

“The assistant has the advantage of being on the side closest to him, but it is still an excellent decision-maker, showing first-class awareness and judgement, especially given how far the ball travels through the penalty area.”

Salford City 3-0 Barrow

Incident – Goal scored, Barrow may be offside.

Decision – Disallowed goal offside (Barrow)

Foy says: “From a teaching point of view, this is a good offside call, and it was noted by the match officials here.

“At the moment the original shot comes in, Barrow player No. 11, who scores the goal, is in an offside position.

“The assistant referee correctly penalizes an attacker for offside when the ball hits a defender, after which the attacker goes on to score. The attacker’s actions were not deliberate play of the ball. However, even if they were, offside would still stand, as the defender saved a shot on goal when he collided with the ball.

“As such, the striker would have had an advantage by being in that position and would have been penalized for offside, in the same way as he would have been if the ball had gone to him from a goalkeeper save, having been offside at the moment of offside.” The original shot was hit.”