sport news MIKE DEAN: Referees are under orders to let games flow as freely as possible ... trends now
Referees are under orders this season to let games flow as freely and legally as possible and that cannot happen when they're blowing for free-kicks all the time.
Innocuous stoppages prevent fans from seeing a free-flowing game of top-flight football.
The Premier League’s opening weekend threw up a few examples where, in the past, it might have been tempting to put whistles to lips. But we’re applying a higher threshold for fouls. The players, managers and clubs know about this approach, too. They all had this info shared before the season’s start and have taken to it well.
Referees are under orders to let games flow as freely and legally as possible this season
I was VAR on West Ham against Manchester City. There were times when Michail Antonio, in trying to hold the ball up, might have hoped for a free-kick to give his team some respite and a chance to push up the pitch.
But Michael Oliver largely let play continue and to Antonio's credit, he wasn't in the referee's ear complaining. The players understand what we're trying to do for the good of the games.
Likewise, we want to reduce delaying the restart of play and will take a proactive approach to this. We don't want supporters to be kept waiting while players delay the opposition player from taking a penalty, for example.
Michail Antonio might have hoped for more free-kicks in his favour against Manchester City
Referees will try to be strong on this — and Craig Pawson was at the weekend when he cautioned Everton's Yerry Mina while Chelsea's Jorginho was waiting to take his spot-kick.
We want the players to work with us to get things moving as quickly as possible.
You may recall last season, Chelsea against Southampton at Stamford Bridge on October 2, when Timo Werner's goal was disallowed for a foul in the build-up.
I was VAR that day. Cesar Azpilicueta pinched possession off Kyle
