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#Post#: 98303--------------------------------------------------
Paul Tierney - Ipswich Town v Coventry City
DIR By: TA_Ref
Date: December 6, 2025, 9:50 am
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Seems to be a rare agreement between fans on X saying that ITFC
striker, Hirst, should’ve received a second YC for kicking the
ball away.
This may not seem much but it sounds as if Tierney cautioned
Coventry midfielder, Eccles, for a very similar offence. Once
again, inconsistency rears its head again.
#Post#: 98305--------------------------------------------------
Re: Paul Tierney - Ipswich Town v Coventry City
DIR By: Failed Ref
Date: December 6, 2025, 10:16 am
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I feel that referees are reluctant to give second yellows for
offences that during the match leads to a first yellow. It's
almost as if they are giving the player one final chance.
However, this generally doesn't apply to mandatory cards like
delaying the restart because the referee has no option.
I haven't seen this incident today, it feels wrong but there are
different interpretations of what delaying the restart means.
Was a restart realistic for example.
I understand that sending a player off has implications but the
laws are there, players have no excuses and shouldn't be given a
get out of jail card.
#Post#: 98306--------------------------------------------------
Re: Paul Tierney - Ipswich Town v Coventry City
DIR By: TA_Ref
Date: December 6, 2025, 10:21 am
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--- Quote from: Failed Ref link ---
>
> I feel that referees are reluctant to give second yellows for
offences that during the match leads to a first yellow. It's
almost as if they are giving the player one final chance.
However, this generally doesn't apply to mandatory cards like
delaying the restart because the referee has no option.
> I haven't seen this incident today, it feels wrong but there
are different interpretations of what delaying the restart
means. Was a restart realistic for example.
> I understand that sending a player off has implications but
the laws are there, players have no excuses and shouldn't be
given a get out of jail card.
>
--- End Quote ---
I agree entirely. Tierney is not the only referee to fall under
this trap. I too have not seen the game but when both sets of
fans are saying that a player (Eccles) has received a caution
for a similar offence, the those watching the game just get
frustrated by inconsistencies.
With regards to the law, it outlines what is a yellow card and
what is a red card. There’s nothing written that suggests
‘softer’ yellow cards shouldn’t be awarded if it’s a second
caution. Dissent is another unpunished offence when on a yellow
card (apart from Paqueta the other week). Referees need to be
bold and make the correct decision in law, not taking the safe
option and trying to keep everyone on the pitch.
#Post#: 98332--------------------------------------------------
Re: Paul Tierney - Ipswich Town v Coventry City
DIR By: UmpireIan49
Date: December 6, 2025, 3:15 pm
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I’m a big supporter of referees who operate in a difficult
environment every week but there is simply no excuse here for
Paul Tierney who has demonstrated a lack of consistency and
firmness in not giving the Ipswich player Hirst a second yellow
card for kicking the ball away.
A Coventry player did exactly the same thing and got cautioned
so why didn’t this apply here?? Inexcusable from an experienced
and usually capable official.
The assessor will be asking some questions that’s for sure, as
was Frank Lampard, the Coventry manager, and he was justified in
all fairness.
Not good from Tierney.
#Post#: 98333--------------------------------------------------
Re: Paul Tierney - Ipswich Town v Coventry City
DIR By: TA_Ref
Date: December 6, 2025, 3:21 pm
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--- Quote from: UmpireIan49 link ---
>
> I’m a big supporter of referees who operate in a difficult
environment every week but there is simply no excuse here for
Paul Tierney who has demonstrated a lack of consistency and
firmness in not giving the Ipswich player Hirst a second yellow
card for kicking the ball away.
>
> A Coventry player did exactly the same thing and got cautioned
so why didn’t this apply here?? Inexcusable from an experienced
and usually capable official.
>
> The assessor will be asking some questions that’s for sure, as
was Frank Lampard, the Coventry manager, and he was justified in
all fairness.
>
> Not good from Tierney.
>
--- End Quote ---
I agree even with my Ipswich supporting hat on.
I have now seen both incidents and so can make my judgement on
both. Really poor from Eccles to pick up his YC for delaying the
restart. The whistle had gone for a couple of seconds and
mindlessly boots the ball into the crowd. I think every referee
has to give that.
The second one is more interesting because it’s one of those
delaying the restart from an offside offence which is much more
difficult to judge. However I’d have to say Hirst was extremely
fortunate to remain on the field of play. Interestingly, on the
highlights, it looked as if Tierney was asking AR1 Scott Ledger
for some input. I don’t know what but it looked odd.
But as I mentioned above, it’s a referees reluctance to send a
player off for a ‘soft’ caution. It’s irritating to watch the
inconsistency happen right in front of the fans eyes
#Post#: 98344--------------------------------------------------
Re: Paul Tierney - Ipswich Town v Coventry City
DIR By: Ref Madness
Date: December 7, 2025, 3:13 am
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It’s Paul Tierney at the end of the day. I’m not sure how after
all these years he is at this level, when such basic errors get
made by him on field and on VAR week in week out,
Newcastle’s crazy penalty award in the week, now this, what’s
next for him to mess up? Such a shame, there was a good top
level referee there years ago.
#Post#: 98347--------------------------------------------------
Re: Paul Tierney - Ipswich Town v Coventry City
DIR By: nemesis
Date: December 7, 2025, 3:40 am
---------------------------------------------------------
--- Quote from: Failed Ref link ---
>
> I feel that referees are reluctant to give second yellows for
offences that during the match leads to a first yellow. It's
almost as if they are giving the player one final chance.
However, this generally doesn't apply to mandatory cards like
delaying the restart because the referee has no option.
> I haven't seen this incident today, it feels wrong but there
are different interpretations of what delaying the restart
means. Was a restart realistic for example.
> I understand that sending a player off has implications but
the laws are there, players have no excuses and shouldn't be
given a get out of jail card.
>
--- End Quote ---
Indeed, four times in the first half the Coventry right sided
player was allowed to walk/jog slowly some 75 yards from the
right touchline to take a long throw on the left and then
allowed even more time to prepare for the throw One such throw
took over a minute from ball out of play to the throw happening.
He then added a woefully inadequate 1 min extra time. This
suited Ipswich but again showed our top referees can't be relied
on to do the simple stuff right.
Strangely this didn't happen in the second half when Coventry
were behind.
With multi-ball and one stationed right near the goalkeeper
neither incident would have delayed the restart to any great
extent. He allowed himself to be surrounded by a group of
Coventry players clearly not observing the captain only rule
without taking any action - perhaps he was feeling a bit guilty
about his latest inconsistency.
I thought he was poor throughout. Inconsistent with his foul
awards, inconsistent with his sanctions.
By contrast, the two SG1 Assistants looked head and shoulders
above what we've mainly had this season.
#Post#: 98352--------------------------------------------------
Re: Paul Tierney - Ipswich Town v Coventry City
DIR By: TA_Ref
Date: December 7, 2025, 5:52 am
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--- Quote from: UmpireIan49 link ---
>
> I’m a big supporter of referees who operate in a difficult
environment every week but there is simply no excuse here for
Paul Tierney who has demonstrated a lack of consistency and
firmness in not giving the Ipswich player Hirst a second yellow
card for kicking the ball away.
>
> A Coventry player did exactly the same thing and got cautioned
so why didn’t this apply here?? Inexcusable from an experienced
and usually capable official.
>
> The assessor will be asking some questions that’s for sure,
as was Frank Lampard, the Coventry manager, and he was justified
in all fairness.
>
> Not good from Tierney.
>
--- End Quote ---
Frank Lampard may have been well within his rights to question
the non second caution to Hirst, however something that has
totally gone under the radar is that Coventry midfielder Eccles
was arguably fortunate to remain on the pitch after committing
an act of simulation literally a minute before the Hirst
incident (while already on a YC).
It wasn’t a type of challenge that was to do with physical
strength either. Town midfielder Taylor looked to put his foot
in to win the ball, then seemingly pulled his foot away and
Eccles went to ground. Tierney gave nothing so surely that was
an act of simulation which by the law is a caution. This
would’ve been his second caution.
It seems that in this match, Tierney was unwilling to make the
game changing decisions which would’ve hugely impacted the
match. At least he’s keeping with PGMO expectations in keeping
22 players on the pitch. (I’m glad Eccles didn’t get sent off
though as Ipswich have struggled to score against low blocks
this season 😅)
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