Did Kaizer Chiefs deserve a penalty during the Betway Premiership match they ended up losing 1-0 to SuperSport United? KickOff analyzes the incident using the Laws of the Game.
Chiefs could have felt hard done by two refereeing decisions that decided the outcome of the game after the loss to SuperSport on Saturday.
The first big incident happened midway through the first stanza after Bilal Baloyi and Edson Castillo clashed in a challenge in the Matsatsantsa box.
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Both players had their eyes fixed on the ball, but Baloyi got to the ball first and made a strong clearance.
However, at the same time, the 20-year-old caught the ball and Castillo, who got badly injured on his Achilles heel and had to be replaced by Yusuf Maart.
Debate has raged on whether the incident should have been considered a foul and therefore a penalty for the visitors.
The debate hinges around intention, as those in the Matsatsantsa corner feels Baloyi had the intention to play the ball and therefore the Venezuelan somehow injured himself.
However, the IFAB law makes no provision for 'intention' but for 'contact', when determining a direct free-kick, which, if it happens in the box, is deemed a penalty.
In terms of IFAB's Law 12 on Fouls and Misconduct, three considerations should be made by the referee to determine a direct free-kick.
Careless:
When a player shows a lack of attention or consideration when making a challenge or acts without precaution. No disciplinary sanction is needed.
Reckless:
When a player acts with disregard to the danger to, or consequences for, an opponent and must be cautioned.
Using excessive force:
When a player exceeds the necessary use of force and/or endangers the safety of an opponent and must be sent off.
As per the above considerations, Baloyi's challenge would most likely fall within being 'careless' and no action would have been necessary, if he did not make contact with Castillo.
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However, after making contact with the midfielder, it appears his challenge, in hindsight, falls on either being 'reckless' or 'using excessive force', in which case it would be deemed a direct free-kick and therefore a penalty, as the challenge took place in the box.
And a card issued as well.
Stayed logged in on KickOff.com for analysis of SuperSport's goal scored by Tashreeq Morris. Offside or onside?