Monday, July 17, 2006
give the refs a break
ok, i'm a ref. i like the black uniform we wear on the soccer field (or, in some cases, the yellow tops with black collar. so professional-looking). i like the feeling of control we have over a game if anyone gets too angry / makes a shocking tackle / uses the four-letter-word language. plus we don't do as much running as the players, so it's fun to watch them sweating it out while we look neat and tidy.
but something has caught my attention this year, with the world cup and afl (just to name two sports) raising the tricky issue of umpire/referee abuse. not to forget, whinging about decisions (increasingly, by australians).
let's consider some examples. the egyptian ref, Essam Abd El Fatah, was told to "give himself a yellow card" by sbs commentator simon hill for allowing japan's goal against the socceroos. the german, Markus Merk, gave almost 3 times as many free kicks to Brazil than Australia. Graham Poll gave a Croatian 3 yellow cards before sending him off. Luis Medina Cantelajo gave, at worst, a 50-50 penalty to Italy that knocked us out of the world cup. Scott McLaren gave 14 free kicks to West Coast on the weekend, and two to Sydney.
each of these poor souls were widely ridiculed, especially in the australian media, for officiating poorly in these games and, seemingly, favouring one side over another. with players, it's different. they are praised for playing a brilliant game as well as cut down for playing a poor one. refs, on the other hand, aren't mentioned when they play well but put on trial virtually by international media often for one bad call (graham poll quit refereeing after his game, but he DID give three cards...).
the umpires need to be treated correctly: they are there to react to the players actions and ensure it is done fairly. they are there to be virtually invisible and told not to impose theirselves on the game. they are human, however, and will always make mistakes. think of the pressure they're under when they are basically forced to make every call correct. if a player makes a mistake, it'll go unnoticed usually.
let's all treat umpires, refs, etc., with the respect they deserve. if your team loses, it is NOT BECAUSE OF THE REF! you should all be able to win in spite of a difficult ref (exhibit A: socceroos - learn to score goals against a ten-man team).
# posted by dave traill @ 8:54 PM 
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You are possibly the first Australian to blame the Socceroos for losing to Italy, good luck facing the still angry mob.
And Scott McLaren deserves to be ridiculed still, because of his shocking display in last year's qualifying final which meant the Eagles were given a week off...although it hardly did any good, go the swannies!!!
And Scott McLaren deserves to be ridiculed still, because of his shocking display in last year's qualifying final which meant the Eagles were given a week off...although it hardly did any good, go the swannies!!!
I got to disagree with you here Dave.
Yes, we whinge. And yes, refs make many very good calls, and they make 1 bad one and thats what we remember.
But really, although refs are meant to be unbiased, how easy is it for them not to be?
What, your telling me refs dont have a team they would prefer to win? I know if I was reffing a game between the swans and anyone else I know who I would want to win.
It can be done in very subtle ways.
All refs are all evil and biased.
Jim
P.s Ok, very over the top I know. And I probabably dont agree with most of that. But still, its interesting to think about.
Yes, we whinge. And yes, refs make many very good calls, and they make 1 bad one and thats what we remember.
But really, although refs are meant to be unbiased, how easy is it for them not to be?
What, your telling me refs dont have a team they would prefer to win? I know if I was reffing a game between the swans and anyone else I know who I would want to win.
It can be done in very subtle ways.
All refs are all evil and biased.
Jim
P.s Ok, very over the top I know. And I probabably dont agree with most of that. But still, its interesting to think about.
Don't know how you and Tiddy do it, Dave. I could never be a referee. Much respect!
I have to confess at getting heated at refs myself. I keep telling myself, its only KDSA Premier League...NOT English Premier League (not that the level you play at should make a diff but you follow what I mean...)
Refs do a good, and for the most part, thankless job. I definately appreciate them more these days...and try to say thanks after the game...
Will remember to try and acknowledge good performances too!
Actually had the KDSA refs boss (so I assume your boss?) ref us weekend before last for the big game against Asquith and he did a great job...pretty much faultless. I forgot to tell him after the game tho... too busy celebrating!!! : )
So when are you two gonna come and ref Lindfield Prems??!!
I have to confess at getting heated at refs myself. I keep telling myself, its only KDSA Premier League...NOT English Premier League (not that the level you play at should make a diff but you follow what I mean...)
Refs do a good, and for the most part, thankless job. I definately appreciate them more these days...and try to say thanks after the game...
Will remember to try and acknowledge good performances too!
Actually had the KDSA refs boss (so I assume your boss?) ref us weekend before last for the big game against Asquith and he did a great job...pretty much faultless. I forgot to tell him after the game tho... too busy celebrating!!! : )
So when are you two gonna come and ref Lindfield Prems??!!
>Actually had the KDSA refs boss
Ross Snashall is KDSRA president... and he is awesome; never seen him ref, but imagine he'd be top-drawer.
>So when are you two gonna come and ref Lindfield Prems??!!
When they feel like letting me :-) My dad has already done some prem games... So jealous...
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Ross Snashall is KDSRA president... and he is awesome; never seen him ref, but imagine he'd be top-drawer.
>So when are you two gonna come and ref Lindfield Prems??!!
When they feel like letting me :-) My dad has already done some prem games... So jealous...
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