The EFL has announced that The Key Match Incidents (KMI) panel statistics show that referees got just under 85% of all key decisions correct in the Championship this season.
Despite the ongoing conversation around the introduction of Video Assistant Referee (VAR) to the Championship, KMI statistics suggest that match officials are getting the vast majority of decisions correct on a weekly basis.
What is the KMI panel?
Introduced at the start of this season, the independent panel consists of seven members made up of former players and coaches, alongside one representative from the EFL and another from PGMOL. The panel meets every week to discuss the major decisions of each game week and assess whether the correct decision was made.
A vote is taken to decide whether the KMI was correctly or incorrectly given, and only a majority vote counts as a correct or incorrect decision. The results of all KMIs are then provided to both clubs and referees to further improve future decision-making.
What is a ‘Key Match Incident’?
According to the EFL, a key match decision can be defined as one of the following moments:
- Penalties (awarded/not awarded)
- Sending Off (issued/not issued)
- Denial of goal-scoring opportunity (issued/not issued)
- Second Caution/Dismissal (issued/not issued)
- Goal (awarded/not awarded)
- Offside Judgement leading to Goal (awarded/not awarded)
- Major Application of Law
- Technical Area Removal (issued/not issued)
What Are The Findings?
Whilst the EFL has provided a full list of the decisions of the panel, available below, the whole picture tells a mixed story. On its own 85% of decisions being correct, given the fast and physical nature of the Championship, would appear to be a general success.
However, the results vary, with some game weeks such as the opening set of fixtures holding just a 72% success rate, over one-quarter of the most important decisions being made were found to have been incorrect. Contrast that with the ninth round of matches which boasts a 94% accuracy from the onfield referee.
Writer’s View
Whilst any fan would suggest that getting 28% of the most important decisions in a week incorrect cannot be applauded, generally these numbers are reasonably acceptable. And with the frustrations that come along with VAR, particularly whilst in its teething period at Premier League level, the Championship shouldn’t be looking to move to technical assistance any time soon.
The ability for second division fans to celebrate that winning goal or last-minute penalty without holding back through fear of VAR interference is something the league needs to hold onto. As a fan who has recently experienced Premier League football, it remains the single most refreshing part of my club’s recent EFL return.