https://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2015/0513/700755-alan-kelly/ Interesting article on everyone's favorite Irish referee, Alan Kelly.
Fixed your post. This is a good article, though. Interesting to hear why he chose to move to Boston instead of another city.
“I think, offside. There have been so many interpretations of the offside law over the last couple of years. It’s just caused massive confusion with everybody. So, simplifying that would be ideal. Just get back to basics. For everybody. Not just for match officials, but for the players, the coaches, the fans.” Bless you Alan. The Voice of Reason.
How much of to he confusion around offside is because of PRO's strange approach to instructing it vs. how much of the confusion is global? I read the Kelly article as a tactful dig at the way PRO was instructing on it, but I might be reading too much into it. I think last year's confusion was a result of PRO's weirdness, but not sure about this year's. Any thoughts?
I thinking you're finding what you're looking for, not what he's saying. The annual tinkering with OS is coming from IFAB, not PRO.
Not really. PRO screwed up a bunch of offside calls last season because they were interpreting the law differently to how everyone else was. After talking to CONCACAF and FIFA, they released a Play of the Week post before the season started that was basically them reversing the decisions made on a bunch of POTW posts last season.
I think you're underestimating how much confusion there has been over implementation in UEFA. Just because PRO has chosen to transparently air their dirty laundry directly, so to speak, doesn't mean there haven't been big hiccups in UEFA. Take a look at the title of this link: http://www.law-11.com/blog/confusion-caused-by-uefa-ifab-not-agreeing-on-law-11 Remember that the blog in question is run by UEFA FIFA-level ARs.
Is Kelly still considered controversial? I have to say, he really impresses me the more I see him and I like the way he handles a game.
That's very helpful for me to hear. I focus so much on MLS, I'm not really aware of which problems are local vs. global.
For whom? Take a look at his assignments. Barring a nightmare late in the season, I think he's a clear favorite for MLS Cup this year.
I was more referring to the way he entered the league and the sort of snarky first post about him being a "favorite". I have noticed him getting a lot of higher profile and national TV games, so yeah I think you're on the mark there. He is very good at dealing with the little stuff before it becomes big stuff and seems to communicate really well.
I'm still amazed that he didn't caution Connor Casey yesterday. Take your pick for either the tantrum he threw for Kelly disallowing his goal or for the handling itself.
it wasnt nearly as bad as Penedos first tantrum at Jair after the VERY OBVIOUS penalty and Jair did nothing. as much as i didnt like a foreigner coming over and claiming he wants to be FIFA and jumping in front of everyone else immediately, hes looked very good in every match ive seen from last year and this year. its almost a lock that he gets the espn or FS games. hes always very composed and talks to the players well. enjoyable to watch.
In fairness, Casey gets as good as he gets. I never got a good look and the handling because I sit in the other half. He sold it well, but he got it right? I thought Carroll was a little more animated than Casey, but again I didn't have the best view of the whole thing.
I find that quote amusing considering that the Boston metro area has a larger population than the entire Republic of Ireland.
I know that "Kelly only works on Sundays" has become a punchline in certain circles. As a fan, I cringe every time I see him lined up to call a SKC game. He's replaced Michael Kennedy in that slot. As a fan, I also recognize that every team and fanbase have their own "oh no, not him" refs.