10 ITAGHA Simon

After whistling the matches England vs Sweden and Mexico vs Italy at the 2002 World Cup, Carlos Eugênio Simon knew little that this tournament would be much more successful for the European side – and for Simon as well, at least based on number of appointments.

Debutants Ghana showed a strong performance and ensured that the match was competitive from start to finish. Simon let a few heavy tackles go in the first minutes and was in general eager to let the play flow when possible, most of all by applying some very good advantages over the full duration of the game.

Simon is certainly not a player’s friend; he rarely smiles and his communication always seems to carry a certain amount of anger with it. When De Rossi (ITA #4) made a late, reckless sliding tackle within the first ten minutes, the player pleaded leniency, signalling it was his first foul. But it was 2006, not 2014. And it was a very late, reckless tackle and the result was a fully correct booking. The match rarely had such challenges, but Simon aptly punished them in the first 45 minutes.

However, his foul detection wasn’t always very good. One good example was a scene in 43’ where Essien (GHA #8) used his arm in a reckless way against an opponent, but Simon whistled a free kick against Italy. In the second half, there were a few more such decisions. His dissent management in 58’ was aggressive, but as the player basically ignored him, unsuccessful.

Overall, Simon had good control over the match and while not faultless, I would still consider his performance satisfactory. However, despite the match generally being fair, there were six Key Match Incidents that weren’t all easy to judge and his final grade pends on the assessment of those.

Minute: 45+1’

Case: Potential penalty for ITA

After having won the ball of Pirlo (ITA #21) Essien (GHA #8) is trying to start a counterattack. While still in his own penalty box, he lashes out at behind him with his hand, catching Pirlo in the face. Simon has an ideal position and unobstructed view but does not whistle anything.

This should have been a penalty for ITA and at least a YC for Essien (Reckless use of arms), if not even a RC for Violent Conduct. While such an incident is surely hard on an exception level, it is nevertheless a CRUCIAL MISTAKE.

Minute: 55’

Case: Potential RC for GHA #15 for SFP

Near the right-hand touchline Paintsil (GHA #15) is challenged by a tackle from Totti (ITA #10). As the defender jumps over his opponent, he lands on the left leg of the Italian with his studs. Simon’s view is blocked by a Ghanaian player and he does not whistle anything. Totti had to be treated on the pitch and substituted immediately.

Multiple replays were shown, but none made it absolutely clear if based on movement the stamp was accidental or deliberate. While I am hesitant to assign a crucial mistake for a missed RC for SFP, the incident should at least have been whistled, but the refereeing team failed to do so. FO Khalil Al-Ghamdi might have helped, but it would be unfair to blame him.

Minute: 72’

Case: Potential penalty for GHA

While trying to reach a cross Gyan (GHA #3) goes down under a challenge from De Rossi (ITA #4). While there is some holding by the Italian player, I would call this a grey area. I would have supported a penalty given but can also accept a no penalty call. A penalty call would have resulted in at least a booking for De Rossi, who was already on a YC.

Minute: 75’

Case: Potential RC for GHA #4 for a SFP after the whistle

After a through ball AR2 Ednílson Corona raises his flag against Iaquinta (ITA #15). It is a close, but correct decision. However, Iaquinta continues to chase the ball just after the whistle sounds and is tackled from behind by Kuffour (GHA #4), who catches the back of his calf with the studs. If the match hadn’t been stopped, it would have been a RC not only for DOGSO but also for SFP. Simon took no action.

Again, a difficult case considering the match had been stopped. A RC would still have been fully supportable, but one can understand why Simon didn’t show it. Complete ignoring the scene though is not acceptable. A CRUCIAL MISTAKE though more in the de jure category.

Minute: 79’

Case: Potential penalty for GHA

Gyan (GHA #3) while trying to find his way through the penalty area is challenged by two Italian defenders who move their feet into his path. Gyan jumps over them, tumbling to the ground.

Simon was correct not to give a penalty here, as there was no contact. Gyan jumped over them. However, I would also support not deciding on simulation and showing the striker a SYC, as he was avoiding contact instead of looking for one.

Minute: 86’

Case: Potential SYC against GHA #11

During an attack in the midfield, Pirlo (ITA #21) is subjected to a full-frontal tackle by Muntari (GHA #11) after playing the ball. Simon only whistles a foul.

This was a very clear SYC by the guidelines of WC 2006, which Simon had correctly applied earlier, most of all when cautioning Gyan (GHA #3) for a very similar tackle in 65’. No caution is unacceptable here. CRUCIAL MISTAKE.

ARs Aristeu Tavares and Ednílson Corona had to be alert throughout the match, though there were only a couple difficult decisions. AR1 Tavares correctly decided that the ball had not crossed the line in 26’ and was also correct in keeping his flag down on Italy’s first goal. Despite several Italian players obstructing the view of Ghana’s goalkeeper, none of them were in an offside position. 

AR2 Ednílson Corona had three very offside calls of which replays were shown. While each of the three cases was very difficult, he was mistaken twice, denying both team one excellent opportunity to score each (21’, 69’). He was correct to flag in 75’ but could not help Simon in assessing the KMI that followed afterwards.

Carlos Eugênio Simon - 7,1 Aristeu Tavares - 8,4 Ednílson Corona - 8,0 Khalil Al-Ghamdi Hamdi Al-Kadri BRA - KSA, SYR	Italy 2-0 Ghana Group Stage
De Rossi (10') - Reckless sliding tackle Camoranesi (62') - SPA (Tackle) Iaquinta (88') - Delaying the Restart	Muntari (41') - Reckless play Gyan (65') - Reckless sliding tackle