Sorry mistake that leaves you no hiding place
MARTIN atkinson told Harry Redknapp that he ‘felt wretched’ following his howler when awarding Chelsea their second goal at Wembley on Sunday. I am sure that’s true and equally sure he will feel a lot worse before he feels better.
It is almost six years since I showed Croatia defender Josip Simunic three yellow cards in a World Cup match in Frankfurt.
not a day passes when that incident is not in my thoughts; mind you, I’d rather have done that than award a goal that did not happen, as atkinson did.
my faux pas did not affect the match in any way, only my career; atkinson’s probably did.
I cautioned Simunic in the 61st minute and then again in the 89th minute but did not dismiss him. as soon as I restarted play my fate was sealed. I then had cause to caution the player again after the final whistle, which I followed with a red card. I had no idea of my errors, only realising what I had done some 20 minutes after the game when FIFA told me my match report was incorrect.
atkinson must have had doubts
“David Beckham phoned me in support. Others just laughed”
as soon as he awarded the goal as the reaction of the Spurs players was understandably strong.
Despite the apparent lack of honesty on pitches, when a referee errs there is a tangible feeling out there that an injustice has occurred.
anthony Taylor, the fourth official at Wembley, was in no position to help as he could not see the error for himself.
If he knew the ball had not crossed the line, whether via a television floor manager or by seeing a replay somehow, he would not have wanted to tell atkinson of his mistake in case it affected his performance — remember, the goal was awarded in the 49th minute.
Following the game, atkinson was told almost immediately that he had made a howler, hence the apology to Redknapp.
In my case it started with a lack of post-match communication. after a good performance, family and friends will text to say well done. When those messages do not come, you fear the worst.
Back in June 2006 I was embarrassed by my mistake and sent an apology to family, friends and colleagues as I felt I had let them down. Some offered help, others laughed at my discomfort.
Unfortunately, human nature is such that people can see the potential to gain from others’ misfortune. Steven gerrard was one player who texted support; David Beckham phoned to offer any support and help that he could as england captain. Sir alex Ferguson also called.
I was alone in germany and could not face training, let alone officiating at another game. Yet atkinson finds himself in the extraordinary position of flying to munich to act as a goal- line official for Howard Webb in the Champions League semi-final first leg tonight between Bayern and Real madrid.
He will find it ironic that, having missed Clint Hill’s header going over the line last month and having awarded a goal when the ball did not cross the goal line on Sunday, he has been appointed specifically to cover just such incidents.
In eight weeks he will be doing the same for Webb at the european finals. If he can do that successfully then he is a man to be admired, not dismissed.
I have previously highlighted the workload placed on officials — the current group is too small — and the lack of effective training.
after missing a ‘goal’ for QPR five weeks ago, atkinson would have felt under massive pressure not to make the same mistake again. If he took that feeling into Sunday’s semi- final, it could explain the error.
The pressure exerted on match officials is not helping — as proved by the rising error rate. What do people want? a sterile game punctuated by stoppages for video replays every five minutes?
Bear in mind that, despite the furore over ashley Young’s penalty, if I had reviewed that on replay I would have supported the referee’s decision to award the spot kick.