There has been a lot of talk this week about the increase in attacks on referees in the lower reaches of soccer and about the players, managers and referees longing to improve the image of the game and thus showing more respect for referees. It is an ongoing and ugly carbuncle on the porcelain face of the world’s most popular sport. Yet, the answer is so simple that it beggars belief that it has got to this embarrassment.
To begin with let us ask a question. In what other industry would there be any tolerance for men (or women) who earn upwards and maybe more than £100,000 per week swearing and blinding at those who convene their workplace? It is utterly unimaginable anywhere other than a soccer pitch. It would simply not be tolerated. People would be fired! They would never work in the same field ever again. Yet, in soccer we lip read consistently, throughout matches, players waving their hands in uncontrolled anger and “f-ing” referees. It is happening because it is allowed to happen. It is happening because the managers shout and swing arms and throw little tantrums standing in front of thousands of people who see this as part of the culture of the game.
It doesn’t happen in Rugby. Do we give that old cliché, that Rugby is a game for hooligans played by gentlemen and soccer a game for gentlemen played by hooligans, as an excuse. Surely, that is a politically incorrect remark even if the proof on the pitch reveals otherwise. Rugby has simply created another culture. I have a friend who referees at a high level of Rugby and speaks of the joy that it is, the respect that he receives. How different for soccer referees.
Yet, we saw why here in Ulster just a week ago. The Ulster Rugby team were 19 all with Glasgow Warriors going into the last minute. They were in their own half when they were given a last gasp penalty. There was no chance of Ulster kicking it for a win until some Glasgow players threw some reaction to the referee which caused the referee to give Ulster ten more yards. From there Pienaar kicks the penalty and Ulster win. This costly consequence of disrespect means that this ten yard penalty is a rare moment. If Wayne Rooney showed the same behaviour on a Rugby pitch he would be off the pitch in minutes of kick off.
Referees need to send any player off who swears at him or questions his decision. For a month soccer would be a fascinating spectacle as we would end up with 8 players playing against 6. Within a month though I guarantee that a new culture would be shaped that would drip down to the lower leagues and the youth and children playing the game. They would copy the new respect the way they copy the street thug behaviour currently being tolerated. Until then we have to put up with this incomprehensible spectacle of men of some wealth and standing in our community acting like adolescent gang leaders. Come on Soccer. Be brave and sort it out!
Well said Stocki-man. I've said this time and time again re introducing the rugby rule. Right back since the days of that other proto-Rooney thug Roy Keane. While they're at it take a second rule from Rugby- the ten minute sinbin. At least then if they don't have the courage to send off the likes of Vidic because of the effect on the game- they can at least have him off the pitch for ten minutes (or in his case probably 4 x 10)
Posted by: monty | 04/04/2011 at 07:50 PM
being a referee is a very difficult profession because if you make a mistake, everybody will see it and will judge you badly, starting with the players, coaches, journalists and fans. Sometimes I feel sorry for referees
Posted by: how to be a bookie | 28/05/2012 at 12:18 AM