Behind the Whistle: Chris Foy explains latest EFL decisions including Leeds, Birmingham and Portsmouth

In Behind the Whistle, former Premier League referee Chris Foy reviews a selection of key match decisions from the latest action across 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 but also clarity on certain appeals to understand how the laws of the game are interpreted.

As part of a regular feature on Sky Sports following the conclusion of a matchday, Foy will be there to explain some refereeing issues in the EFL.

Leeds United 2-1 Bristol City

Incident: Goal scored, potential offside (Leeds United)

Decision: Goal disallowed

Foy says: Making a decision in a crowded penalty area is always a challenge for officials. When the ball is volleyed towards the goal by Sam Byram (25 years old), the future scorer Georginio (24 years old) is just beyond the penultimate opponent, therefore in an offside position. Although he does not touch Byram’s initial shot, he clearly attempts to play the ball and clearly affects the Bristol City goalkeeper’s ability to play the ball, who delays his save and knocks down Byram’s effort, before Georginio does not kick the free ball into the ball. the Internet.

There are two offside infringements here, the first is Georginio’s initial action which clearly impacts the Bristol City goalkeeper’s attempt to make the save, and the second is that following ‘a save, he gains advantage for the resulting tap-in by initially being offside. position. This is a good decision on the part of the officials.

Birmingham City 3-1 West Bromwich Albion

Incident: Penalty awarded (City of Birmingham)

Decision: Penalty awarded

Foy says: BIR11 and WBA4 compete for the ball, and a penalty was assessed for the challenge by WBA4. This is an unusual situation, where BIR11 appears to be sliding and WBA4 makes contact through momentum and in my opinion a penalty is a bad decision. The referee misinterpreted the situation and would have benefited from creating a better viewing angle. This is more of a case where two players lose their footing and get closer, and the best option is to allow the game to continue.

Portsmouth 2-0 Port Vale

Incident: Offside possible (Portsmouth)

Decision: Goal awarded

Foy says: The decision the assistant referee must make is whether Portsmouth’s number 9 is closer to the goal line than the penultimate opponent when the ball was last played by a teammate. There is good concentration to recognize that the Port Vale goalkeeper, who left his line to try to collect the initial cross, is the second furthest back defender.

When the ball returns to the goal, the attacking player is in line with the goalkeeper and is therefore in play and the correct decision is made.

Colchester 1-3 Morecambe

Incident: Red card (Morecambe)

Decision: Red card

Foy says: This is a great example of a team of public servants working together. After the initial tangle between Morecambe’s James Connolly and Colchester’s Samson Tovide, a free kick was awarded to Colchester and play quickly resumed. At this point, the referee’s attention turns to the development phase of the game. However, both players involved in the incident are still on the field. Connolly clearly hits Tovide as he gets up, which is spotted by the assistant referee who immediately brings this to the referee’s attention, and a red card is shown for violent conduct.

Mansfield 0-0 AFC Wimbledon

Incident: Goal decision (Mansfield)

Decision: Goal not awarded

Foy says: This is a good decision on the part of the authorities. The penalty is struck at pace, which the goalkeeper pushes onto the crossbar. The ball bounces down, then goes back up and hits the bar again before being collected by the goalkeeper. There’s a lot to process in a split second, but the ball doesn’t cross the line and the match officials rightly allowed play to continue.