by handbags_harris »
23 Dec 2012 19:32
I've seen this three or four times and I can't make my mind up at all. The thing is it's one of those that can go either way. If Shorey jumps to try to defend the cross and Barry jumps into him then, if the goal had been given, I'd feel massively aggrieved. Shorey instead chose not to jump, chose to hold his defensive movement and attempt to block the run of Barry and that, for me, does for him getting the decision in his favour because the block could be deemed an infringement against Shorey.
BUT...Barry does jump into Shorey with a level of force that surely cannot be deemed safe? The so called "excessive force". Shorey in a way can be excused for taking evasive action in the face of such force, particularly with bArry raising his arms to gain leverage, elbows pointing forward. If a defender jumps in on an attacker like that from a goal kick then not only is it a free kick to the attacker but if the defender jumps in with his arms raised in similar fashion to Barry did then you're talking borderline red card territory.
So it's a question of interpretation for me. Personally I'd give a free kick to the defending team but I can see why some referees wouldn't.
Where's the option for "Don't know"?