Question Number: 29026

League Specific 12/3/2014

RE: Adult

Alan Grainger of Berea, Kentucky USA asks...

This question is a follow up to question 29018

Thanks for the answers. It was the Aguero incident that provoked the question.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Hi Alan,
Did referee Mike Jones ever publicly admit that Jose Fonte fouled Sergio Aguero in the ninth minute after seeing the replays? I know that the manager Pelleigrini was kind in his comment that the referee is a human person and everyone can make a mistake. You can bet if the game was a loss or tie things would not go down as pleasantly.
To be booked for simulation instead of giving the Argentine a clear penalty following what certainly appears a blatant foul by Jose Fonte hard not to imagine some choice words were in order in the post game review for the referee. It is why I always point out to be labelled for perceived cheating swings a heavy hammer. Lucy looks like Mr. Jones has some hisplaining to do!

Aguero gets numerous CLEAR fouls denied, I have an idea what the referees are thinking at times but then too if a referee is at a wrong angle he can miss a blatant foul. That MAN U versus MAN CITY MATCH where Fellini CLEARLY raps the back of his calf causing a him to go down. NO card for simulation but no PK awarded either. Then Fellini comes back and sprays him with spittle! Now the TV REVIEW said it was not spit BUT to have fouled Aguero and then had the nerve to scream at him for simulation.
It is because of reputation.
Aguero's awful tackle on tackle on David Luiz or his exaggerated dive against CSKA Moscow. His claims that referees favour English players to award penalties is not going to make him popular among the referee crowd. There is a degree of empathy from fans and those historically reviewing the increase of simulation is in direct proportion to foreign players entering into the EPL. Whether that is true or veiled racism I suppose anyone can state an opinion. Just wanted to point out that BECAUSE TV is used ,punishment for deeds not seen by the referee can STILL be given. As opposed to sanctions being lifted they can in fact be awarded!
Cheers

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Alan
I suspect what happened here was Referee Jones saw Aguero exaggerate his fall to guarantee the penalty kick. No effort was made to stay up not that there has to be.
Not so very long ago in the Champions League game (6th Nov) Aguero was seen to make an exaggerated dive against CSKA Moscow
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I9gfCqdYleY
Referee Sidiropoulos correctly cautioned the player for simulation. Not saying that it is correct to base decisions on historical situations yet reputation follows players when they have in past been guilty of simulation.
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