Giving a penalty – keep cool…keep in control

There are two minutes left on the clock in a close-fought game – it could be any game, at any level – and there is a sudden incident inside the penalty area.

Split-second decision
An attacking player goes down…the players and spectators look your way…and you, as the man in charge, have only a split-second to consider the decision that could well have a bearing on the destination of a trophy…whether a team is promoted or relegated…or even whether a coach keeps his job.

Courage and conviction
Giving a penalty is a decision that requires courage and conviction from any referee, irrespective of whether the game is a World Cup final or a local league championship play-off. If you point to the spot, you might be immediately confronted by protesting defenders, who feel they have been unjustly treated. If you do not give a penalty, the other team questions your eyesight. You will possibly hear the crowd’s conflicting opinions at close quarters. At the highest level, TV might scrutinise the incident in minute detail from every angle, with the aid of slow-motion replays and graphical simulations.

Searching test
The referee cannot rely on such TV technology. The decision has to be taken 'now', and is a searching test of a match official’s character, bravery and temperament.

Approaching penalties 
uefa.com has been asking leading European referees how they approach penalties, and their responses are equally valid for referees of any standard of football, down to local park and village level…

Close to the action
The first important thing is to try and be as close to the action as possible. “In modern football, the penalty is the most difficult decision to give, and it takes a lot of courage,” says Slovakia’s Lubos Michel. “There is shirt-pulling and holding by players in both teams, and diving as well. I think it is important that you are close to the players, because if they see that you are close to an incident, they perhaps will not protest as much. If you’re 30 metres away, it’s sometimes difficult to see what happens,” he adds.

No hesitation
Switzerland’s Massimo Bussaca says that it is essential not to hesitate when giving a penalty, and that a referee must stay absolutely firm. “If you are not sure, or do not whistle quickly enough,“ he explains, “players will look at you and wonder whether you are certain of what you are doing – and then they will protest and have doubts. You must act quickly and decisively.”

Stay calm
The top referees also emphasise that a calm bearing can be of considerable assistance in the moments after you have awarded a spot-kick. “I try to be calm, and hope that this will also influence the players,” says Norway’s Terje Hauge. “You can say a lot with your body language,” adds Michel. “Make a gesture that is sure, and which says to the players: ‘That’s a penalty, it’s my decision, there’s no discussion.'”

Move away
“I accept the fact that players can protest, but then I normally move away from the players, and if they follow me, I’m entitled to give a caution,” says Hauge. “A player is asking for a caution in this way.”

Reacting after the penalty
A referee should also keep cool and focussed during the taking of the penalty – after all, there is no going back now, either for you or the players. Then comes another critical period – the few minutes after the penalty. If a goal has resulted, the team conceding the goal might have a grievance with the referee’s decision which could spill over into verbal pressure or an over-aggressive attitude. The atmosphere on and off the pitch could be emotionally charged.

Concentrate!
The message for referees in this situation is simple. Be strong – and concentrate! “These are very difficult minutes, because a team might put pressure on you to make you uncertain of your penalty decision, and try to influence how you control the rest of the game,” explains Michel. “You must keep on a straight course, so that the players see that there is no chance of such discussions having any effect.”

Keep your line
“I think that the referee must concentrate and try to stay close to the ball,” adds Bussaca. “You must keep your line, be strict, and stay sure in your mind.”

Speaking might help
A few words after a spot-kick might also be useful. “I always work on myself to be particularly concentrated,” says Hauge. “After a penalty, I often run to the captain of the team or player who was cautioned, and say a few words with them. The player nearly always confirms that everything is normal again.”

Simple message
The message is simple: be decisive…be firm…and have the total belief that you are making the right decision at that moment. If you are a newcomer to the refereeing sector, watch how the leading match officials deal with one of the most intense challenges facing a referee – their methods could help you the next time that you are asked to rule whether a penalty-area incident is fair or foul.