Question re: Four D's in KC-COL match

[Roush]

I would like to preface this by saying two things:

First, I am not currently a referee, although I was certified many many (many) moons ago.

Second, I am a Kansas City fan.


That being said, I would like to ask for your thoughts on the caution issued to Colorado GK Bouna Condoul as he tackled Kansas City F Eddie Johnson in the second half of the game. (MLS Replay (http://mls.gotuit.com/player.html?c=2007+Season&p=89595&s=1565138))

I'm not so much of a Kansas City fan that I am looking for vindication, so please don't read that into my thread. If it was honestly just a yellow card-worthy offense, I'll be able to accept it.


Thanks!

[campton]

I agree witht he yellow. His touch "beating" the GK slowed his momentum. The backside defender probably would have caught up. I dont think after that touch away from goal, the OGSO was there.

[intechpc]

Well as I watch the clip there is at least one and possibly two defenders who would be in position to continue defense if he makes it past the keeper without being fouled. So that combined with the four D's not being met (direction is missing here), could be why only a caution was given.

[Jasonma]

This foul is an example of how I've benefited as a non-referee reading the referee forum. Seeing that live I was sure that it was a red card, but on watching the replay I picked up on both the defenders being behind Condoul and the fact that EJ's last touch wasn't right at goal. Those are things I never would have looked for prior to reading the threads here.

[MassachusettsRef]

I think this is borderline, no matter what criteria you use.

A very stringent interpretation of the 4 D's would say that there were either one too many defenders (2) or that the touch wasn't directly to goal, as it was more toward the touchline/corner.

Then again, one of those two defenders is only about even and in the middle of the pitch (definitely unable to stop a goal if the next touch is a shot on goal) and the other defender is slightly behind him at the time which the foul occurs (not when Johnson finally falls to ground). A reasonable analysis of the entire scenario would say that, if Johnson didn't get fouled and was able to control his dribble, his shot (so long as it was on goal) would almost certainly have gone in, even though his touch wasn't directly to goal.

All in all, it's really right on the border. But with the 4 D's, I think Weyland what right to literally err on the side of caution and go with the yellow. In an international match, a different referee might give a red and I don't think there'd be too much argument. It really is very close.

[Ref Flunkie]

I agree, VERY close. I would go yellow though.

[Alberto]

Agree a caution. The defenders were close enough that they caught up when Johnson hesitated and played the ball to the left.

[Roush]

After watching the replay, I can now see why Weyland chose yellow on that play - as my original vantage point was from the Cauldron - and have no problems with it, even though it's borderline.

It's the only one of his questionable card decisions I do agree with, however... :) (See Ballouchy at the half-time whistle, Coundoul in the scuffle and Burciaga in the scuffle)

[MassachusettsRef]

After watching the replay, I can now see why Weyland chose yellow on that play - as my original vantage point was from the Cauldron - and have no problems with it, even though it's borderline.

It's the only one of his questionable card decisions I do agree with, however... :) (See Ballouchy at the half-time whistle, Coundoul in the scuffle and Burciaga in the scuffle)Ballouchy should have walked and I suspect that he'll be suspended. I also suspect, though, that Weyland didn't get a clear look at how high the elbow was and how intentional it looked (in the replay, it appears that Weyland's head is not focused directly on the incident). If Weyland saw that cleanly, it definitely would have been red.

As for the scuffle, I think I've watched it about 15 times and I'm still not sure what I would do based on the replays, so I have no idea how I might have reacted with just one look.