CAF: Two Incorrect Calls Identified in the Thirteenth Round of Referee Reviews

【Two Incorrect Calls Confirmed in Four Cases Reviewed by CAF in Thirteenth Round】

On the evening of July 9, the Referee Committee of the Chinese Association of Football (CAF) conducted its thirteenth round of referee reviews for the current season (20240709 edition). Based on appeals from various clubs, four cases were reviewed in this session, originating from the Chinese Super League, China League Two, and the CAF Women’s Cup. The review panel identified two instances of incorrect calls.

The review meeting was again held via video conference, inviting two football social supervisors from the public and media sectors to observe. Using a combination of collective discussion and individual opinions from panel members, the following conclusions were reached:

【Case One】: In the 18th round of the Chinese Super League, Tianjin Jinmen Tiger vs Changchun Yatai, at the 81st minute, Changchun Yatai’s No. 9 player scored after making contact with Tianjin Jinmen Tiger’s No. 5 player. The referee ruled the goal valid, and VAR did not intervene.

Regarding this case, the review panel unanimously agreed that: From the available video, Tianjin Jinmen Tiger’s No. 5 defensive player pulled Changchun Yatai’s No. 9 attacking player, but the latter’s hand contact with the former did not constitute a foul nor was it the primary cause of the former’s fall. The referee’s decision not to call a foul was correct and should be supported. (Video: Case 1)

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Time：2024-07-18 21:35:22

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【Case Two】: In the 15th round of China League Two, Hubei Young Stars vs Dalian Kuncheng, at the 90+7th minute, Hubei Young Stars took a free kick in their offensive area, which led to a series of developments culminating in Hubei Young Stars’ No. 41 player crossing the ball, followed by Hubei Young Stars’ No. 70 player taking a shot. The ball may have touched Dalian Kuncheng’s No. 23 player’s arm, but the referee did not call a foul.

For this case, the majority of the review panel believed that: When Hubei Young Stars’ No. 70 player took the shot, Dalian Kuncheng’s No. 23 player’s arm-ball contact should have been considered a handball foul. However, upon reviewing the video from different angles, prior to Hubei Young Stars’ free kick, their No. 41 player was in an offside position and subsequently engaged with an opponent for the ball, constituting an offside foul. Therefore, this case should ultimately be recognized as an offside foul by Hubei Young Stars’ No. 41 player first, with the refereeing team missing the offside foul call. (Video: Case 2)

【Case Three】: In the 15th round of China League Two, Xi’an Chongde Ronghai vs Rizhao Yuqi, at the 4th minute, Rizhao Yuqi’s No. 33 player, after contesting an aerial ball with Xi’an Chongde Ronghai’s No. 7 player, may have had his face or neck contacted by Xi’an Chongde Ronghai’s No. 7 player’s arm, but the referee did not call a foul.

Regarding this case, the majority of the review panel believed that: Xi’an Chongde Ronghai’s No. 7 player, while attempting to shield the ball and turning, made contact with the opposing player’s arm without any significant force or striking action, which is acceptable physical contact in the game. The referee’s decision not to call a foul was correct. (Video: Case 3)

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Time：2024-07-18 21:35:22

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【Case Four】: In the first stage of the 2024 CAF Women’s Cup, Beijing Yuhong Repair Women’s FC vs Qingdao West Coast Women’s FC, at the 37th minute, Qingdao West Coast Women’s FC crossed the ball into the opponent’s penalty area, and Beijing Yuhong Repair Women’s FC’s defensive player may have handled the ball, but the referee did not call a foul.

For this case, the majority of the review panel believed that: Although the available video footage was not clear, it could still be determined that Beijing Yuhong Repair Women’s FC’s defensive player, while intercepting the opponent’s cross within their own penalty area, extended their arm, enlarging their body unnaturally, making contact with the ball. A handball foul should have been called against Beijing Yuhong Repair Women’s FC’s defensive player, and a penalty kick awarded. The referee’s decision was incorrect, missing both the handball foul call and the penalty kick award. (Video: Case 4)

The CAF will continue to uphold the principles of fairness, justice, and transparency, actively accepting feedback and appeals from clubs. It will focus on key cases and those with high public interest that help unify officiating standards, conducting reviews and publicly announcing results, while internally disciplining referees involved in incorrect calls.