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(06-08-2023 09:39 AM)blazers9911 Wrote:  

(06-08-2023 08:51 AM)C-Finder Wrote:  Joe Goodman's article about the game

I clicked the link, and then read "uncalled illegal handball" in the caption below the picture, and closed the tab.

I have been a referee at the high school level, and I know several people who referee at fairly high levels. The job is not as easy as anybody makes it out to be, and I'm certain these refs are underpaid, even at this level. It sucks when they miss calls, but they are human. Also, many of the people who train refs basically tell them to allow full on assaults to occur before you call anything. Nobody wants to see a game basically end on something like this, it sucks for all parties involved.

As far as handling goes, I cannot even begin to tell you how that is called. I watch the big leagues in Europe weekly, along with many of my soccer playing friends, and none of us can begin to tell you what handling is at this point. It's called inconsistently at best, and there is no black and white way of writing the rule the way they try to call it.

Just so what I wrote isn't misinterpreted, that was clearly handling last night and should have been called. I hate it for the Legion, as that would have been the biggest win in their history. I assume there is no VAR in this tournament, and I don't know where the referee was positioned. With 20 people on a soccer field moving at almost all times, it's really easy to lose sight of the ball for a brief moment, even if you are in great position.

I absolutely agree with you. The head referee must have been blocked from seeing the infraction. The east sideline ref on the north end of the field had his view blocked by players. The lady sideline ref on the west side of the field, at the south half, was too far away.

VAR would have clearly shown the handball. Disappointing but part of the game.

The head ref should have started issuing yellow cards, IMHO, when Miami players started coming down with the contagious play dead disease.