Why do us referees get such a hard time?

Question

I am speaking form my experiences mainly in which I come under constant scrutiny for decisions a 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!

Answer 1

I can say from my experience from the stands in the Australian A-League that a lot of the fans (mostly those that have perhaps had a few drinks too many) may feel that the ref is being biased towards one team over another.

Every form of football out here seems to have at least 1 referee that cops a lot of abuse from the fans for the decisions they make during the game. We've got at least 2 in the A-League that are not fan favourites in Sydney (Mark Shield and Matthew Breeze) both of whom are FIFA International refs also.

I know that I personally have disagreed numerous times with the on-field decisions made by the ref (who over it has been) when I think they've made the wrong call.

I feel that in most cases it's simply people's belief that their side shouldn't be penalized or that the opponets have fouled their teams player.

Obvisously all referees follow up on their match performances to help them improve for future matches but that's not something that the fans at large are aware of.

And the real fans do know that the refs have a tough time out on the field. Especially when it comes to fouls in the penalty area as those calls have the potential to turn a game very quickly.

Answer 2

.ok.. how much did Man UTD pay you  to say this?

*waits for it...*

*waits for it*

..thumbs down

Answer 3

It baffles me as to why anybody would want to be a referee these days. Players and team officials know better than you and are always right. The governing body are never going to back you up and will usually wilt, giving nothing more than a slap with a limp lettuce.

You must know what abuse is coming , that the new season will be more violent than ever as managers push the boundaries of behaviour and players come under ever more pressure.

There must be a better way you could spend your time,if you want to be appreciated.

Answer 4

r u really steve bennet??? if so kool, o and coz most referees usually do quite bad decisions and occasionally the odd gud 1.

Answer 5

caus u hav 2!!! / other option s 2 get a different job that wld be suitable 4 u!!

Answer 6

because at the end of the day,the decision is yours and yours alone,and some wont accept that,no matter how much they would like,especially if it is against the oppisite side,they should respect whatever you say,and that should be that,rules of the game.and until players accept that,and realise your human just like them,and that anyone can make mistakes,you included,then i think yous will always come under attack,dont run out of steam,blow that whistle.peAce.

Answer 7

Because its a game for peasants. Play rugby, where people have respect for eachother, and where real men are found. Ive finished games with broken bones. When was the last time anyone did that on a football field.

Answer 8

Speaking from experience...I'm going with the fact that it's impossible to make everyone happy. If one person's team is losing, oops must be the referees fault because he/she is calling everything for the other team. Not true because if we're good at what we do and respect the teams, we wouldn't dare call a bias game. People just don't know what it takes. If most people tried to step on the field and actually referee a game, they would have no idea what they were doing...and I would laugh.  

Answer 9

if you cant understand why you get such a hard time ... why do the job?

surely you was taught that at ref school!

One day refs will be replaced by video ref, so you will be out of a job, so stop moaning and get on with it!

YOU CANT RED CARD ME TWICE!!

edit: i dont care ... get the FA involved, i'll tell them a few home truths too!

2 match ban ... yeah sure!

Answer 10

Your a member of a cherished Fraternity/Sorority,

we are the  soccer ( Futball) referees of the world.

We call things as we see them. Way it has to be.

The Human element of Judgment on the Soccer

pitch. Naturally we are gonna hear all the static ,

because supporters are just that, fans that hold

up and bolster the spirits of the teams in which

they  cheer for.  It is the referees responsibility to

stop fights on or off the field. Our  judgment must

be made impartially because if it were left up to

the teams to police themselves it would be a

blood bath. Naturally there will be detractors due to

the fans inability to accept the fact of responsibility

for their teams actions on the field. Now there will

be times when a referee makes a poor judgment

call,  because he interprets what he thinks he saw.

WE referees make the best coaches and the

worst players. Keep the faith! I used to wear a pair

of Sunglasses on to the field while carrying a white

cane. They stared at first and would mumble. " I

would just loudly say, "You say I'm blind, why not play

the part." I was an extremely fair referee, but

even I have had my bad days. I had a game, a

championship for a men's league. The teams

were comprised of Coachs from the local

Recreational League.This Game was to secure

bragging rights as to who was the better

League coaches. They started  with many

exchanges of trips, pushes and fouls, all met with

the very quick ,but decisive action on  my part.

All was well until one of the players got a little

rough and took another player down causing

him to be removed from the game.  I issued a

Yellow  Card, and went on to resume play,

when words were exchanged by the two rival

teams. A punch was taken and  before I knew

what had happened both benches dumped

onto the field. Yelling quickly evolved into a

pushing match. I carded 4 players and sent

them off. The fight continued both on and off

the field simultaneously. It was getting out of  

hand so I calmly walked to  the middle of the

field  blew my whistle 4 times and called the

game, placing my Red card on the

ground at center pitch, I walked off the field.

The players said," You can't do that !!" I said,

" I have done IT!!! and if necessary I will do it again.

They all pleaded with me to allow  them to continue

play. I refused they whined and I told them, "  

Reschedule the game, submit a written

apology to the League Administration  and the

Referees Association . At that point I would

reconsider a replay.  There was a new found

respect for the Referees  since that game. All

was right in the world until the next petty argument.