We're winning tug of war

Jun 22 2008 By Scott Mcdermott

Dougal: Spl Is Pulling Its Weight

STUART DOUGAL allowed himself a wry smile when he heard Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk wanted to KILL English ref Howard Webb.

The peeved-off politician was incensed by Webb's decision to give Austria a last-gasp penalty at Euro 2008 that effectively ended the Poles' tournament.

The Premiership ref's award of the spot-kick for shirt pulling at a set-piece opened a can of worms.

Critics say consistency dictates EVERY tug in the box should now result in a penalty - but Dougal disagrees.

The top SPL ref insists Webb should be congratulated for correctly calling at least one difficult big decision in the box.

And Stuart asked why players who make monumental howlers - like Chelsea keeper Petr Cech's clanger against Turkey - aren't pilloried the same way.

He said: "The issue of pulling, grabbing and blocking in the penalty area was addressed at our annual conference.

"It was attended by SFA president George Peat and he fully endorsed the referees' thoughts on the matter. We stated that if we saw a clear incident when the ball is in play, a big decision would be made.

"That was communicated to the clubs but the truth is we don't have a big problem with it in Scotland.

"Yes, there's jostling for position in the box. But you have to be certain to give a decision.

"It's dead easy to see it on TV. But as a ref you're trying to look at every player at the same time.

"If you give what's seen to be a controversial penalty at one end but don't give one at the other end you're accused of inconsistency.

"But I'd say at least we're dealing with what we can see.

"The problem is if it happens in an Old Firm derby or a Hearts v Hibs match - there could be pandemonium.

"We have to be extremely careful. But the players have to take credit because it isn't rife in the SPL."

Dougal has refereed abroad and officiated at Euro 2004 in Portugal.

And his experience backs up his theory that wrestling in the box is more common in other countries - particularly Italy and Spain.

He claims the art of blocking an opponent is actually coached in Europe to try to fool refs.

Stuart said: "It's more accepted in Europe. Players have warned me before a set-piece to watch for them being blocked.

"I know blocking is actually coached.

"Craig Brown pointed it out eight years ago - where defenders would use a blocking technique at corners.

"It was hard to see until it was pointed out to you." And Stuart is glad Webb's decision has started a debate on the rule breaking.

He said: "Holding and pulling shirts in the box annoys most football fans.

"Webb made the correct call by the laws of the game and was strong in the eyes of many neutrals.

"People then look back at the whole game and say, 'He missed a pull in the box in the 14th and the 56th minutes'.

"But we should be applauding him for having courage to at least get one right.

"The Polish PM said he wanted to kill Howard for his 'mistake' but compare that to what Cech did.

"He is supposed to be the world's best keeper yet his error effectively put the Czechs out of Euro 2008 - but people feel sorry for him.

"Referees get pilloried for what's seen as a mistake yet players have excuses made for them. I know they're only human but so are we - so let's have a level playing field."

Despite the Webb controversy Dougal has been hugely impressed by the officiating in Austria and Switzerland.

He said: "Euro 2008 has been fantastic. The Holland v France game shows what can happen when players just dust themselves down and don't indulge in any carry-on.

"A few officials have maybe been a bit picky but on the whole the refs have helped produce a tournament with some cracking games."