Refereeing

[BrenOS]

I've got a report to write this week for the ref at the weekend. Gave him a 3/10, any less than a 6/10 and you must put something in writing to the league/FA. I'm captain but wouldn't normally write the report, but as it was my action that caused him to scrap the game I said I'd write it.

I could talk all day about the horrible decision making he made, highlights include a "freekick", where our player was wiped out a good 10 yards in the box, me being repeated shoved as challenging for headers, oh but when I charge a defender down who's clearing the ball it's a freekick everytime. Thing was, he knew he was getting stuff wrong, so was making "makeup" decisions. He'd give something one way, realise it was a mistake and blow up straight away and give something the other way. Utterly spineless. We've a few young refs in our league who at least show a bit of character. Anyway, the main event...

Basically we scored from a corner and their keeper ended up in the net with it. He gave the goal and pointed to the centre circle. He was then accosted Man Utd style by their entire team and linesman (who was a coach or something, but not the manager). Having told our linesman at the start of the game he'd take his decisions on throw ins and offsides (which he often reversed anyway, never for the home team however) suddenly their linesman is qualified to overrule a decision he had made, was closest too and even initially shouted "No" to their first appeals for a foul.

I'm not 100% here, but if a ref points to the centre spot for a goal, is that the only decision he can't reverse? I'm sure I've heard that somewhere. We're all back in our half ready to restart when he tells us he's changed his mind and they take the freekick straight away. It goes out for a throw so obviously I go have a word with the ref. I was calm and polite, and didn't swear. He didn't know how to handle it at all, after being sworn at like mad just a couple of minutes ago (oh forgot, he booked one of our players for swearing in the first 10 minutes ) I obviously just asked him a few questions he didn't like. The climax was something like this, "Your performance has been shocking, you've give us nowt, absolutely spineless" he then said right come here 9, and basically just shouted at me from one yard. Again calmly I asked him to stop shouting at me, not only have you been spineless you're now being unprofessional and rude. Well that was too much. He wanted to send me off, but couldn't. So he decided to scrap the game. 15 minutes to go. I then told him that he's just confirmed everything I've just said, and that I'd be putting a report in. Never shouting, never swearing.

Their manager immediately came over and sympathised, was a really top bloke. Confirmed that I should be proud of how I handled it. Honest it was a joke. I don't mind mistakes if the ref is someone you respect and has a bit of character, but here comes that word again, spineless.

Anyone written anything like this before? My dad has and he's an FA coach so will be able to provide help. Anyone confirm that rule too? Feel free to rant about refs too

 

[BrenOS]

I'm really quite proud of this letter. It's going to the League and The F.A. We're TEAM B

Dear Sir,

I wish to bring to your attention some issues we feel must be raised with the standard of refereeing demonstrated by NAME on Saturday 14th January in the TEAM A versus TEAM B, LEAGUE Division Two game.

I really do empathise with the job a referee has to carry out. All credit must be given to them for the sacrifices they make. Having played in this league for three years now, I can only extend my satisfaction at the job they have done in that time. Unfortunately, I cannot echo these comments in relation to last Saturdays match.

Right from the kick off things started to go wrong with some odd decision making. The highlight of which was a turned down penalty appeal, which was honestly closer to the by-line than the edge of the 18 yard box. Despite this a free-kick was given, and at this point I must stress that the referee did not consult his linesman. This culminated in some bad feeling, and a TEAM B player being rightfully booked for swearing.

I could continue highlighting decisions all day long, but that is not why I felt the need to write to you. We’ve all experienced bad days in football, where nothing goes your way. You’ve got to expect them now and then. What I want to convey to you is the distinct lack of control NAME had over the game.

Whenever a decision was appealed, it was often reversed. Worse still, NAME seemed to be giving “make-up” decisions, in his mind rectifying an earlier wrong decision. Everyone makes mistakes, which are highlighted even more so on the football field, but this distinct lack of character demonstrated by NAME led to an absence of respect for a man who should be an authoritative figure.

The lack of respect TEAM A had for the referee became ever-so-apparent when TEAM B “scored” from a corner. After initially turning down appeals for a foul on the keeper, the ref pointed to the centre, signalling a goal. TEAM B retreated to their half, to witness the entire TEAM A team accost the referee, shouting, swearing and waving arms (a similar, yet lesser offence saw a TEAM B player booked within the first 10 minutes). Their linesman even felt entitled to enter the field of play.

As acting captain on the day, I told our players to stay calm and not get involved with anything that may ensue. The referee then ran back to me, saying he had reversed the decision and given a free-kick for a foul on the ‘keeper. It was clear he had been swayed by the onslaught, and the actions of the linesman, whom he had no intention of consulting for an earlier penalty shout.

TEAM A immediately took the free-kick, causing much more confusion. The ball was put out for a throw and I took this opportunity to speak to the referee, politely and calmly asking why he had been swayed on his decision. He called me over aggressively and I was basically shouted down to from a yard away, which was unprofessional and downright rude. He then informed me he was calling the game off, and blew up for full time with around 10-15 minutes left to play.

Again I do not wish to come across as simply contesting the decision; it’s all about the manner in which things were conducted. I hope you concur that there are some issues that need to be addressed here.

I feel a little of the poor showing could have been prevented by the referee instructing the linesman at the start of play. Usually they are informed what to flag for - in most cases, off-sides and ball outs – but our linesman was simply handed the flag and an empty look.

A combination of these events plus some others I’ve neglected to go into detail about (such as a 10 minute stoppage for a player who was off the field of play and already receiving medical attention) led to myself and the TEAM B management giving a rating of 3/10 for referee NAME.

I hope this letter has gone someway to justify such a poor mark. I have strived to be objective in my writing, as with any course of events opinions are open to interpretation and subjection. Should you require further clarification on anything, please do not hesitate to contact me.



Yours truly,