KSAFA implements zero-tolerance policy for referee assaults

By Sports Desk November 14, 2024

The Kingston and St. Andrew Football Association (KSAFA) has announced a strong new measure to protect referees, enforcing a zero-tolerance policy for physical assault against match officials. The decision, taken at a recent KSAFA Council meeting, introduces Article 55 - 3.2, a competition rule stating that “Any player who physically assaults a referee during a match will be automatically suspended for the remainder of the competition that they participate in.”

This newly instituted rule marks a decisive step by KSAFA to eliminate violence against referees and foster a safer, more respectful environment within football competitions. The rule imposes an immediate suspension on any player found to have assaulted a referee, and the suspension will remain in place for the entire season without the possibility of appeal.

In light of recent incidents highlighting the vulnerability of referees to mistreatment and physical attacks, including the withdrawal of services by match officials in the ISSA Schoolboy Football competition after attacks and delays in security response, KSAFA’s action signals a commitment to serious reform. Following a recent match where officials were physically assaulted, referees called for heightened protections and better working conditions, resulting in a temporary halt to several scheduled matches.

KSAFA President Mark Bennett stressed the importance of protecting referees, stating, “Referees are the backbone of our sport. Their safety and dignity must be respected. This rule demonstrates our commitment to creating a secure environment for all.”

To ensure effective enforcement, KSAFA will work alongside referees, clubs, and law enforcement agencies to investigate incidents and apply sanctions as swiftly as possible. This collaborative approach aims to instill a culture of respect for referees, reinforcing KSAFA’s stance that violence in football will not be tolerated.

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    Now two of his team-mates have joined him on the treatment table.

    Neuer, who was sent off against Leverkusen, has an issue with his ribs, while Vincent Kompany did not specify Gnabry's injury.

    "Manuel Neuer has discomfort with his ribs. It also looks like Serge Gnabry won't be involved either. Aleksandar Pavlovic is available," Kompany told reporters.

    "Pavlo is available. There's no limit on how long he can play. He's not played for a while, but he's available."

    Kompany did, though, provide a positive update on Kane.

    "Things are looking good. I don't want to give a timeline and put our medical team under pressure. It could well be that he plays again this year. But everything needs to go perfectly," Kompany said of Kane.

    Bayern are firmly in control in the Bundesliga and are unbeaten after 12 games with 30 points, four more than second-placed Eintracht Frankfurt.

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    However, Kompany warned against complacency.

    "They're playing in Europe. It's always tough to be competitive in both competitions. What Heidenheim have done over the last 20 years is good," Kompany said.

    "They're a very solid club. They won't panic now. We don't differentiate in how we prepare. It'll be another important game for us." 

    Heidenheim won their last Bundesliga game against Bayern 3-2 – they became the first promoted team in the league's history to come from two goals down to beat the Bavarians.

  • Red Bulls star Morgan embracing underdog mentality for MLS Cup Red Bulls star Morgan embracing underdog mentality for MLS Cup

    Lewis Morgan is embracing the underdog spirit ahead of Saturday's MLS Cup final, as the New York Red Bulls take on the LA Galaxy.

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    This will be the first meeting between the Galaxy and Red Bulls since April 2021, a 3-2 home win for LA.

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    "We've known we've been underdogs going into loads of the games, we've embraced that, and we'll embrace that again this weekend," said Morgan.

    "We're not expected to go there and run all over LA Galaxy. We're expected to go there and make things difficult and try and impose our style of football, which is exactly what we're going to try to do."

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    LA Galaxy - Gabriel Pec

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    The Swede has scored 10 MLS goals and set up a further four. If he is on form, he could prove the difference-maker.

    MATCH PREDICTION: LA GALAXY WIN

    The Red Bulls may be embracing the underdog tag, but the supercomputer is backing the Galaxy to get over the line.

    They outscored their opponents 16-3 in their four matches so far in the 2024 postseason, the best goal difference of any team en route to the MLS Cup final. Only Toronto FC (17 in 2016) scored more goals in a single postseason than the Galaxy's 16 this year.

    The Galaxy have reached the MLS Cup final for the 10th time, twice as many as any other team in league history (D.C. United, New England Revolution). After losing in their first three MLS Cup Final appearances, LA have won five of their last six outings dating back to 2002, only losing on penalties to Real Salt Lake in 2009.

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    New York's 1.38 points per match is the lowest of any MLS Cup finalist since Salt Lake in 2009 (1.33), so that is one possible omen in their favour.

    OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

    LA Galaxy - 50.9%

    New York Red Bulls - 24.2%

    Draw - 24.9%

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    What's expected?

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    The Blues are given a win probability of 43.2%, while Tottenham came out on top in 32.7% of the data-led simulations. There is a 24.1% chance of a draw.

    Tottenham have won just one of their last 11 Premier League games against Chelsea (D2 L8), picking up a 2-0 home win in February 2023.

    After a run of just two wins in 13 Premier League away games against Tottenham between 2006 and 2018 (D5 L6), Chelsea have won four of their last five visits to Spurs (L1).

    Spurs were unbeaten in their first four Premier League London derbies under Postecoglou (W2 D2), but have lost seven of their last 13 (W4 D2). Five of their six London derby wins under the former Celtic boss have been at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, however.

    Chelsea have won 35 Premier League games and scored 116 Premier League goals against Tottenham, more than they have against any other opponent. It’s also the most goals Spurs have conceded against a side, while they have only lost more times to Manchester United (39).

    The Blues have also won five of their seven games at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in all competitions (D1 L1), the most wins any visiting side has picked up at the ground since Spurs moved there in 2019.

    Hot and cold

    Spurs' inconsistency this season is why they are 10th heading into the weekend. Despite the unrest from some fans, Postecoglou will surely point to the fact that they are only three points off fifth-place Brighton.

    Postecoglou did perhaps not help himself by insisting he always wins a trophy in his second season at a club, but Spurs are still in the EFL Cup and are well placed in the Europa League. A top-four finish in the Premier League is unlikely but is far from out of sight.

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    Maresca's magic touch

    In all competitions, Chelsea have scored 57 goals in 22 games this season, which is already seven more than they scored in 2022-23 (50 in 50 games). Their current goals-per-game ratio of 2.6 is their best in a single season in their entire history.

    Goals have come from across their squad, too. The Blues have had 10 different goalscorers in the top tier.

    Cole Palmer leads the way with nine, while the in-form Nicolas Jackson has eight. Noni Madueke has netted five times and Enzo Fernandez, who has also proved a creative force, providing six assists in his last five league games, has scored twice.

    Meanwhile, only Erling Haaland (17) and Mohamed Salah (15) have scored more goals in all competitions among Premier League players this season than Christopher Nkunku (12) – the Frenchman has now found the net in eight of his last nine starts, scoring 11 times.

     

    Chelsea are not only the league's leading scorers, they have also created the highest expected goals (xG) total at 29.8.

    They have had 213 shots, the fifth-highest tally in the competition. Their xG per shot comes out at 0.13, which means that, on average, each of their attempts has a 13% chance of going in.

    Only Liverpool (57) have had more big chances than the Blues (51), meanwhile, and given they are going up against such a fragile defence, Maresca's attackers should be licking their lips.

    PLAYERS TO WATCH

    Tottenham - Brennan Johnson 

    Johnson has scored three goals across his last five home appearances in the Premier League, more than across his previous 24 outings at home in the competition for Spurs and Nottingham Forest (two goals).

    Chelsea - Nicolas Jackson

    Jackson has scored four goals in his two Premier League games against Spurs, netting a hat-trick in the corresponding fixture last season.

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