Why are we always the scapegoats?

Question

Why do us referees get such a hard time. all the time?

I am speaking form my experiences mainly in which I come under constant scrutiny for decisions I make! Why is it that we come under such criticism and abuse! Do people not understand we have a job to do, and a tough one at that I might add.

Can I just remind my fellow footballer supporters that the game cannot go on without the referee you know!

Yet we always seem to be the one who losing teams blame at the end of the game! Its ridiculous and we deserve more respect!

Answer 1

You do, its true, but its some of the blunders you make that give you guys a bad image. I'm not saying blunders are made often, but given at critical moments, in critical games, and it starts to peeve off teams. Drunk German referees don't help your cause either, but its you guys that ensure that a good football game remains a game.

Answer 2

yes i agree with them lot and referees shud be treated with a lot more respect and, dont listen to wot the players say, stick with wot u think and the linesmen

Answer 3

Because somtimes it is the referees fault in a decision but then it's a way of the supports team playing bad then theres only one other person to blame because they don't want to blame their own team.

Answer 4

because professional footballers can never ever make a mistake.. it was always someone else's fault

becasue professional football commentators don't tell it how it is.... they excuse footballers (such as Canona, Keane and others fro their violent thuggish behaviour

because professional football commentators that have retired from the game are usually defeneders with limited skill who have little or no grace or subtlety and empathise with the thuggish tackle or intimidation that is part of the football.. think of the comment from Mike Basset: England manager when the tackle sends the opponent into the advertising hoardings

because commentators rip in to referees making comments about that being a bad judgement, there was no way that was a foul/offside or whatever

because football managers always seek to find excuses for why they lost, rarely pointing the finger at where the fault lies (themselves, their players) think we wore the wrong shirts. How often do you hear a manager admit that so and so was sent off and it was entirely justified if so and so was one of their players.

because commentators dare not say a bad word or contradict the manager.. look what happened to the BBC when the had the temerity to question Fergies rantings. the football clubs control access to the players in the lead up to the game, and the immediate aftermath. how often do you hear anything relevant or interesting in the managers post match interview yet it still gets trotted out after each match.

ulitmately players & managers have lost the will to respect that the referees are doing the job to the best of their abilities.. yes referees will make mistakes (so will players & managers but their mistakes are glossed over)

ultimately the conduct of the players & managers and commentators filters down the leagues and sets the standard / agenda for others.

ultimately fans are not the most objective individuals, like asking witnesses at a car crash, everyone saw the incident, but no one person has the same recollection of events.

Answer 5

your right but the players only have themselves to blame with all the abuse they give refs if someone abused you wouldn't you be the same......

Answer 6

I agree. I can't understand all the abuse referees get. They deserve more respect, especially from players during a game.

The crowd love to have a go at anyone, most of it is in jest anyway. But I agree with your point.

Answer 7

i totally agree with u steve but unforunately thats what makes the world go round, supporters will always have to blame someone for this and it falls upon u guys :(.

Anyways u ref's keep up the good work, and hows the RESPECT campaign going

Answer 8

i agree with Shahin M, it's the blunders that give the refs a bad name. but surely the ratio of good:bad decisions is high..? out of ALL the decisions in ONE match, how many are usually wrong?

the people who question referees should give it a go themselves, i think..

Answer 9

Yea  yea Refs should get more respect.