Daily Mail

It may look soft but ref was 100% right

- GRAHAM POLL

EVERY referee in the country would say that Charlie Austin fouled Willy Caballero. A goalkeeper within his 18-yard area is protected by football’s laws — and Austin jumped into the Chelsea keeper. My colleagues in the BT Sport studio argued that there was not enough contact for the referee to penalise the Southampto­n striker. The laws do not state how much contact there needs to be. If there is illegal contact — as there was in this incident — then it is a foul. Some may argue that goalkeeper­s are over-protected but if we start to allow some contact, where do you draw the line?

 ?? AFP ?? Sinning Saint: Austin backs into Caballero as the keeper drops the ball over the line
AFP Sinning Saint: Austin backs into Caballero as the keeper drops the ball over the line
 ??  ??

Newspapers in English

Newspapers from United Kingdom