What's up people.

For a while, I wanted to start a series in which we discuss some questionable ref calls. Originally, I joked with a Footyroom member about this, but would like to actually make this a legitimate discussion on this forum. Welcome to the Footyroom Council of Referees, people!

Rules for FCR: Post videos about something that will actually drive a discussion. Try not to post something that the vast majority will agree upon.

1. Stay on topic. You may use examples from different scenarios, but please come back to the discussion.
2. Keep calm. This is a discussion, so keep it classy
3. Easy with the conspiracy theories. If you'd like to bring it up, fine as long as you don't dwell on it. We are talking about what we would do as refs, not if team A paid the refs to beat team B.

Alright, so for the first scenario: The ref disallowed a goal for Higuain in the second leg of the UCL semi-finals against Barcelona back in 2011. Basically, Ronaldo "fell" on Mascherano, who clearly dove when he realized he couldn't keep up with Gonzalo. What do you guys think?

a) Was the ref right or wrong?

b) If Javier didn't dive, would the decision by the ref be accurate?

3) Why would the ref call the foul after Higuain took his shot? Is there a rule that tells you calls DON'T have to be immediate?

Discuss!

This video's quality is pretty sh!te, but it's the only one i can find.

Should probably create a new thread of each of these. This is devolving pretty quickly.

^ That was the idea initially, have different case studies.

For the first video, the ref is obviously right. Mascherano may have overreacted but there's still a contact there. Ref makes the decision in split seconds so that one was fair.
Vidal's 2nd yellow was wrong.
I can't judge the RVP one because we need to have a better idea about how much noise fans created. If he really didn't hear or he did heard but still shot... But it didn't seem like the fans were much loud tho. So I think RVP heard the whistle but still hit the ball.

No way in hell do I consider RvP's red card a valid red card. It was complete bullshit.

Agree, this deserve separate constructive thread for each incident!

Basically most of these calls favor Barcelona?

@Golazo Lol, true, I haven't realized that, not all of them though. :P

@Golazo We review whatever video we get, it ain't our business who gets favored haha

M'bappe got a red card after his fault was reviewed by VAR, what do think?

@Emo Correct decision.

He lost the ball and was going in with the only intention to commit a foul, from the back and with studs...It's like asking for a red.

Still it was interesting to see since its one of the first red thanks to VAR I had seen, especially with such a high profile player being involved. I think its one of his first red as well since he went pro. So its interesting. :)

@Golazo I love your new profile pic, it look great. ;)

What do you guys think about this one? Yellow or red card?

@Yvan21 Wouldn't complain if this was a red tbf though its clearly not intentional. Still was dangerous play so like I said, I think red could have been fair.

@Emobot that's what I was sort of thinking as well, because it's definitely a reckless move. Whether it was intentional or not, he clearly connects with his studs high on the player's legs.

I agree with Emobot7. This could have gone either way depending on the Ref.

Having the ability to see it from the video, I like that it is a yellow. You can see he did try to pull out of the tackle some and went to the player right away to check on him.

I agree, Sergio should have seen red. It wasn't intentional but dangerous play and reckless move.

I am so hard right now.

Seriously, a second yellow for a dive is literally the most enjoyment I will ever get out of a soccer game. Huge justice boner.

@Sunflash So true. :) Completely agree, good work by the ref as well.

Indeed, thats really satisfying