Could you be an EPL Referee?

The Referee: We all complain about them ..It's a tough Job, they have to allow the game to flow, yet ensure the rules are strictly applied, all in real time with no "Slo-Mo" action replays – if you were in their shoes how would you fare? – I have managed to pair up with a top EPL Ref who has kindly set three realistic scenarios for you to decide on:

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Scenario 1: It’s an FA cup semi-final game and in a goal mouth scramble the ball is hoofed towards the goal but blocked and rebounds 3 or 4 times when one of the attackers runs out of the pack in celebration. During the melee you couldn’t quite see what was going on, or if the ball crossed the line, how would you react:

A. You quote rule 6.21.1 unless you can definitely confirm the ball crossed the line you have no option than to let play carry on. However, the celebration was a little over zealous so you issue a yellow card to the attacker.
B. This is tough, the attacking team and the goal scorer are adamant it was a goal, but as you couldnt see it through the scramble you confer with your assistant, unless he can confirm it was definitely a legal goal you have no option but to play on.
C. You blow up and point to the centre spot, you don’t know if it crossed the line, but you want to be picked for the final, and Mr Abramovich could well put the mockers on that if his team lose.

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Scenario 2: A forward dives in the box, and stops the ball rolling out of play with his hand. Bizarrely you do nothing, letting the defending team assume they have advantage, but when the keeper places the ball for his advantage, the diving Michael Jackson look-a-like forward stands up and unsportingly kicks it in the back of the net. how would you restart the game:

A. It’s against your better judgement he wasn’t booked for the original deliberate handball, but by removing the advantage from the defending team you have no option but to issue a yellow card quoting rule 23.7.4 and award a free kick for the handball.
B. You produce a yellow card, and re-spot the ball for the keeper, you warn the player that unsporting behaviour does not have a place in football and that he will be off if you speak with him again.
C. The defending team are furious and gather around you, you wave them away, you did nothing, why are people confused? But the protest has given you doubts. After a brief conversation with your assistant and Rio Ferdinand, you decide it stands and you point to the centre spot, You know a certain manager will "look after" you

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Scenario 3: A Match is at 3-3 when the home team bring on their controversial Italian forward. During an attack he gets dispossessed by a defender who slips during the manoeuvre, the forward then deliberately stamps on the defenders head, would you respond by:

A. You were watching the ball and didn’t see the incident in full, the player has a head injury, so the game must be stopped. You quote rule 12.3.3 and offer a drop ball for the home team to pass off for a goal kick if they agree, free kick for the defenders if they dont.
B. You immediately stop the game, this could be serious, firstly you get the physio on the field to attend the injury, you then call your assistants to ascertain what you missed, given the players reputation you have an idea what happened but you have no choice but to drop the ball for the defenders advantage.
C. You have £70 on an accumulator and you need the home team to win this one, even though you were looking away, you know the two players and you know what happened, the last thing you need is their main striker going off as you have an extra tenner on him getting the winning goal, you smooth it over and hope he gets that all important goal - if he doesnt, you can always award a penalty as that’s worth £950 to you.

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How did you do?
We have the FA’s view and a verdict from our famous EPL ref:

Mainly A’s: According to the FA you didnt make the grade, you rely on the rule book too much and not common sense, the game of football should be a flowing beautiful thing, you seem to think it’s an exercise in technical infringement. You also quoted all the wrong rule numbers, it seems the rules are more important than the game to you
Ref’s Verdict : apply to the council, they are always looking for Traffic Wardens
 
Mainly B’s: The FA boss’s say you have something, you understand the concept of football refereeing, you know the game must flow, and you use reason and common sense to mediate. Like the fans you just want to see a fair result, players know you are the boss and there is never any funny business during your matches.
Ref’s Verdict : Sunday Park League, you don’t see the bigger picture as you think football is about what happens on the pitch

Mainly C’s: The FA are interested in speaking with you, you definitely have an understanding of the politics of football, sometimes it’s imperative that the bigger teams are successful , this keeps the TV money rolling in and the FA’s coffers full, we can forgive the odd mistake for the right man. All that is left is to run it past Sir Alex, if he agrees, you are in.
Ref’s Verdict : Welcome on board, refereeing at the highest level is your destiny, controversy follows you as you love the spotlight, your ego is more important than the game and your bet365 account is going to swell.