29-10-2014, 18:50
There are many problems with referees, I am not convinced backhanders play any part in it currently and I hope that stays the same. I wasn't aware that the ref and his assistants had to travel to games together, seems a minor rule to break and as the story suggests the conversation with Warnock after the game was probably the bigger sin here.
For me though the blame with our current situation lies at the door of a number of groups. The players for starters need to be forced to respect the refs like they do in Rugby, their abuse, gestures, arguing etc completely undermines the ref and this is then focused on by the media and fans. Managers as well need to stop their antics, and Warnock is a classic case of this over the years!! But the FA, League and referee bodies also need to be far more transparent with their actions. Refs make mistakes, always have and always will, allow them to explain their decisions, admit their mistakes without unnecessary reprucussions or trial by media and have them work with players and managers more often than they currently do. Over here refs (or umpires) get far more respect from players because like in Rugby there are penalties for showing disrespect, that should be introduced. But refs also get to put their side of a decision across to the fans and media as well and often this completely diffuses any controversy.
I do think that currently football operates in a world where the refs are not considered by the players as part of the game when in fact they are as much a part of the game as players are!! They need to be involved at club level, maybe attach each of them to a club to work with the players on rules etc, make that club responsible for educating the refs on modern football etc and make it so they do not ref that teams games. Involve them in the game more than they currently are and try to remove this them v us attitude.
For me though the blame with our current situation lies at the door of a number of groups. The players for starters need to be forced to respect the refs like they do in Rugby, their abuse, gestures, arguing etc completely undermines the ref and this is then focused on by the media and fans. Managers as well need to stop their antics, and Warnock is a classic case of this over the years!! But the FA, League and referee bodies also need to be far more transparent with their actions. Refs make mistakes, always have and always will, allow them to explain their decisions, admit their mistakes without unnecessary reprucussions or trial by media and have them work with players and managers more often than they currently do. Over here refs (or umpires) get far more respect from players because like in Rugby there are penalties for showing disrespect, that should be introduced. But refs also get to put their side of a decision across to the fans and media as well and often this completely diffuses any controversy.
I do think that currently football operates in a world where the refs are not considered by the players as part of the game when in fact they are as much a part of the game as players are!! They need to be involved at club level, maybe attach each of them to a club to work with the players on rules etc, make that club responsible for educating the refs on modern football etc and make it so they do not ref that teams games. Involve them in the game more than they currently are and try to remove this them v us attitude.