[jambutty]

Originally Posted by lancsdave

If you wanted to be really picky there is also another infringement there. Anyone spot it ?

It’s not being picky. Rules is rules is rules and if players are allowed to bend them what was the point of having them in the first place.

This sort of rule bending goes on all the time. Free kicks and throw ins are taken yards from where they should have been. Sometimes a ref will pull the player up and make him go back to the right spot, then as he turns away to run into position the player still encroaches and gains some yardage. “Accidentally” kicking the ball forward is one way. I accept that in most cases it is impossible to state just exactly where the throw in or free kick should be taken from but come on ten yards is stretching it somewhat.

You get something similar with the defending wall. The ref makes sure the wall is the correct distance from the ball and as he turns his back the wall moves up a yard or two. CHEATS!

I spotted this on MoTD on Sat. United’s goalie was right up on the edge of his area and then threw the ball out underarm. His arm was outside the area before he let go of the ball. Handball? Definitely yes but nothing was done. That might be picky but as I stated rules is rules is rules and rules are black and white.

Try it for yourself. Place a piece of paper on the floor, stand on it and make like you are throwing a ball underarm or even overarm. Your hand, which would be holding the ball, has to go past your piece of paper.