How many times have we seen quick free kicks taken, the ref lets the game carry on, I watched the West Brom v Brighton free kick goal, quite a few times during the day. The ref blew his whistle, so to his own conviction, even if the goalkeeper was not ready, the goal ought to have stood.
When a penalty is going to be taken, we don't see the ref asking the goalkeeper if hes ready.
This incident will haunt the ref, for a long time, I can see it coming when Mason referees a game, a team getting a free kick, will ask him if the goalkeeper is ready.