Got to say

[Oldandbald]

Was that before or after the French player got dismissed for a shocking tackle that could have killed his opponent??

Just after Caceido didn't even get told off for sending Gravenberch to hospital. Absolute disgrace.

 

[andyBeaker]

Just after Caceido didn't even get told off for sending Gravenberch to hospital. Absolute disgrace.

It certainly wasn’t good but in my opinion it was careless rather than intentional. Think the referee missed it and, assuming VAR had the same opinion as me, they will not get involved.

 

[Oldandbald]

That's what frustrates me. I don't disagree with your opinion but it's the manner in which it is dealt with.

The match officials watching the rugby on television brought the matter to the referees attention and it was dealt with there and then and the appropriate punishment given. The matter isn't at an end because it will be reviewed again by a disciplinary panel and, if the usual ban isn't felt enough, then a tougher punishment will be applied. If he had killed him (and there was no sign of that because he got straight up and got on with it) then he's probably looking at a lifetime ban but I might be wrong.

If the football referee missed the incident, which he clearly did because he missed most of the match from what I could see, why can't the highly paid blokes watching it on telly bring it to the refs attention? My theory is that they are all drinking buddies and they can't be seen to be showing up their mate by pointing out his eyesight deficiencies.

 

[andyBeaker]

That's what frustrates me. I don't disagree with your opinion but it's the manner in which it is dealt with.

The match officials watching the rugby on television brought the matter to the referees attention and it was dealt with there and then and the appropriate punishment given. The matter isn't at an end because it will be reviewed again by a disciplinary panel and, if the usual ban isn't felt enough, then a tougher punishment will be applied. If he had killed him (and there was no sign of that because he got straight up and got on with it) then he's probably looking at a lifetime ban but I might be wrong.

If the football referee missed the incident, which he clearly did because he missed most of the match from what I could see, why can't the highly paid blokes watching it on telly bring it to the refs attention? My theory is that they are all drinking buddies and they can't be seen to be showing up their mate by pointing out his eyesight deficiencies.

As it stands VAR in football will only intervene in incidents like the one you highlight if in their opinion it needs to be reviewed for a possible offence that could lead to a dismissal. The intention is not to ‘re referee’ the game but to deal with the most important incidents where the referee potentially needs support. I suspect they, like me (importantly), did not feel it reached the bar so there was no intervention. A bad impact or injury does not automatically mean a foul, caution or dismissal.

I do like the ‘caution being reviewed for possible dismissal’ system in rugby but I’m not so sure it lends itself to football which is a much quicker game without the endless periods of inactivity in rugby union. I would like to see a sin bin introduced for ‘tactical fouls’ and dissent but I don’t think it will happen as it would be unworkable at lower levels.

 

[Duck n Dive]

Sin bin works effectively at lower levels in Rugby

 

[Oldandbald]

As it stands VAR in football will only intervene in incidents like the one you highlight if in their opinion it needs to be reviewed for a possible offence that could lead to a dismissal. The intention is not to ‘re referee’ the game but to deal with the most important incidents where the referee potentially needs support. I suspect they, like me (importantly), did not feel it reached the bar so there was no intervention. A bad impact or injury does not automatically mean a foul, caution or dismissal.

I do like the ‘caution being reviewed for possible dismissal’ system in rugby but I’m not so sure it lends itself to football which is a much quicker game without the endless periods of inactivity in rugby union. I would like to see a sin bin introduced for ‘tactical fouls’ and dissent but I don’t think it will happen as it would be unworkable at lower levels.

But surely that was a "possible" offence? Whether there was any intent or not the player was stretchered off so surely it warrants a review. Are you saying that VAR reviewed it and decided that no further action was warranted or that they didn't review it at all?

During the rugby you can hear the TMO talking to the ref and telling him what has been reviewed and cleared and what requires the refs attention. It just works.

I agree that the sin bin needs to be trialed but there doesn't seem to be much support from the managers at senior level. But the first thing I would introduce is that only the captain can approach and speak to the referee. It would take a while to take effect as the payers are so used to surrounding the referee and shouting in his face. But once introduced and policed properly it would take a lot of the stress out of these situations and allow the referee to make his decisions in a much calmer environment.

 

[andyBeaker]

But surely that was a "possible" offence? Whether there was any intent or not the player was stretchered off so surely it warrants a review. Are you saying that VAR reviewed it and decided that no further action was warranted or that they didn't review it at all?

During the rugby you can hear the TMO talking to the ref and telling him what has been reviewed and cleared and what requires the refs attention. It just works.

I agree that the sin bin needs to be trialed but there doesn't seem to be much support from the managers at senior level. But the first thing I would introduce is that only the captain can approach and speak to the referee. It would take a while to take effect as the payers are so used to surrounding the referee and shouting in his face. But once introduced and policed properly it would take a lot of the stress out of these situations and allow the referee to make his decisions in a much calmer environment.

I don’t know what VAR did as I wasn’t there! But I imagine they will have reviewed the incident and came to the conclusion as above. ‘Ref Watch’ on Sky Sports at 11:30am today may provide further insight.

PGMOL who run the ‘officiating’ side of Premier League football know that improvement in communication with supporters is needed and appear to be working hard on this. If you have SkybTNT there is a programme ‘Mic’d Up’ on catch up - Howard Webb talks through a number of decisions and you can hear what the communication around VAR is. Well worth a watch.

 

[andyBeaker]

But surely that was a "possible" offence? Whether there was any intent or not the player was stretchered off so surely it warrants a review. Are you saying that VAR reviewed it and decided that no further action was warranted or that they didn't review it at all?

During the rugby you can hear the TMO talking to the ref and telling him what has been reviewed and cleared and what requires the refs attention. It just works.

I agree that the sin bin needs to be trialed but there doesn't seem to be much support from the managers at senior level. But the first thing I would introduce is that only the captain can approach and speak to the referee. It would take a while to take effect as the payers are so used to surrounding the referee and shouting in his face. But once introduced and policed properly it would take a lot of the stress out of these situations and allow the referee to make his decisions in a much calmer environment.

The Ref Watch view concurred with mine.

They even mentioned my name.