37 SVNENG Stark
"A German referee will determine if England play the Germans in the second round", the English tabloids cried, the decisive match between group leaders Slovenia and the struggling Three Lions was assigned to Wolfgang Stark. Slovenia needed a point to be sure (and were seconds away from making it anyway); if England didn't win, they would be consigned to an embarrassing early exit.
Excellent in his first match, Stark was well in-control of this crucial one, and avoided major controversy - well done for that. However, unlike in that Argentina - Nigeria opener, Stark allowed a bit too much for my taste, besides making some mistakes in the goings-on of the match.
Glen Johnson should simply have been cautioned at 4', after having made two heavy tackles in less than a minute; Gareth Barry was a bit fortunate at 9', and Frank Lampard's reckless stamp at 13' was missed by the officials. Stark should be praised at least for not being permissive (in 2014 this would have been very good), but it was not enough to only react so as to keep control - action was needed!
Glen Johnson should simply have been cautioned at 4', after having made two heavy tackles in less than a minute; Gareth Barry was a bit fortunate at 9', and Frank Lampard's reckless stamp at 13' was missed by the officials. Stark should be praised at least for not being permissive (in 2014 this would have been very good), but it was not enough to only react so as to keep control - action was needed!
Caution to Bojan Jokić at 40' was the first of the match - not an incorrect call, but Jokić wasn't wrong to gesture to Stark that his "wasn't the worst thus far". Replays show a clear handling offence, the slight delay in the referee's whistle also suggests he punished this pushing away of the ball, and not the challenge.
The decision though which was really irksome was to (finally) caution Glen Johnson for simulation - he was simply impeded by Boštjan Cesar (already lucky to avoid censure at 44'), almost definitely inside the penalty area! Perhaps Stark just wanted to avoid a very tight in/outside question, for a foul that most would see as nothing.
The decision though which was really irksome was to (finally) caution Glen Johnson for simulation - he was simply impeded by Boštjan Cesar (already lucky to avoid censure at 44'), almost definitely inside the penalty area! Perhaps Stark just wanted to avoid a very tight in/outside question, for a foul that most would see as nothing.
Of all the offences in the latter stages of the match (72', 74', 81', 83', 84', 88'), I don't think Zlatko Dedić's failed attempt to kick the ball was the worst, but it was the only caution given for a foul tackle all match. Johnson was especially lucky - his foul at 88' looked to be clearly a reckless one, and his careless trip just outside the penalty area a couple of minutes later went unpunished by the officials.
It's important not to lose perspective, as Stark delivered this highly important and not easy game effectively, but his performance was not an example of good officiating in my view. Given his top class skills as a game-manager, in addition to his brilliant first performance, a third game, in the knockout stage, was certainly in order for the German.
With regards to the assistants: Mike Pickel missed a tight and very nearly crucial offside at 68'; Jan-Hendrik Salver was spot on to disallow a second England goal at 49'.
It's important not to lose perspective, as Stark delivered this highly important and not easy game effectively, but his performance was not an example of good officiating in my view. Given his top class skills as a game-manager, in addition to his brilliant first performance, a third game, in the knockout stage, was certainly in order for the German.
With regards to the assistants: Mike Pickel missed a tight and very nearly crucial offside at 68'; Jan-Hendrik Salver was spot on to disallow a second England goal at 49'.
| Wolfgang Stark - 8,1 Jan-Hendrik Salver - 8,4 Mike Pickel - 8,3 Joel Aguilar William Torres GER – SLV | Slovenia 0-1 England Group Stage 23 June |
 Jokić (40') - SPA (Handling) Birsa (79') - Dissent Dedič (81') - Tackle | Johnson (48') - Simulation |
On the whole, I found Stark's performance lacking in disciplinary. As you have perfectly summarized it, Johnson should have cautioned several times before and after his debatable booking. Slovenia could feel hard done in that regard.
ReplyDeleteIt wasn't bad on the whole, but this department was a rather big weakness. Not enough to prevent a further appointment, but other referees clearly had stronger showings.