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BASRA received a disturbing e-mail from a perplexed coach the other day. The coach had some complaints about a referee. Nothing new here, except that the complaints had nothing to do with the mechanics of the referee (missed fouls or off side calls, for example). They had everything to do with the referee's attitude.
The coach's remarks (in italics) and some comments…
I didn't have a coaches form for referee comment so thought I would email you my thoughts on yesterdays' game.
From the very beginning (the referee) was condescending to everyone - players, coaches. It was as if he had a chip on his shoulder or was upset at the world. My girls said that he made comments to players on both teams…
Leave your bad attitude at home. If you can't, then stay home and keep it company. When you take the field, the ONLY thing that should be on your mind is doing a good job for the sake of the players. You can - and should - be firm, but also be pleasant, be polite, and be approachable.
Then, when one of my players headed the ball improperly and went down with an injury he said something derogatory to her - something to the effect that she "can't take it" or that it's her fault that she was injured. She was very upset by his comments.
Yeah, right, players just LOVE to get hurt! The referee is there to protect the safety of the players, not accuse them of being wimps or of causing their own injuries. And certainly not there to utter upsetting remarks to them.
I don't recall that (referees) have the right to judge players on their ability.
The best pregame speech I ever heard went something like this: Referee to the Captains: "We understand that you are not professional players and that you will make mistakes during the game. I promise you that we will not ridicule or criticize those mistakes. All we ask is that you show us the same consideration."
I think this center thought he was going to do a real Div II U-19 game rather than this mismatch.
Every referee will do a mismatch, or a game "beneath" him, from time to time. The thing is, even a mismatch needs good referees, sometime more so than an even match. And, no game is beneath any referee, just at a lower skill level than he's used to doing. If you truly think you're too good for a particular match, save everybody some heartache and GO HOME. You and your ego can have a good time together, and the players will never miss either one of you.
Also, there was confusion over which field we were to play on. He had a cavalier attitude that he could not walk 20 feet over to (the adjacent field) to call the game. Instead he made the four teams swap fields. There's nothing wrong with swapping fields, but his holier than thou attitude - "I am assigned to (this field) and I'm going to be paid for (this field). I cannot call a game on a field for which I am not scheduled".
This is interesting. There must have been two games scheduled... four teams, two referee crews... on two fields. These fields are the same size, same orientation... interchangeable. It would make sense for the six referees to switch rather than ask the four teams - 60 players and 60 spectators - to move. (Of course, no assignor ever gave a wrong field number, and no referee ever wrote one down wrong, right?)
(M)y identification cards were not returned to me after check in. After the game an AR came to me and gave them back. I don't ever remember receiving instructions (for referees) to keep the identification cards...
BAYSA players' IDs are to be examined and returned before the match begins. Under no circumstances should the referee confiscate any player's ID. If you see a problem with any ID, note it on the Game Card.
The sad part is that I don't think he realizes how asinine his behaviour was to four coaches, approximately 60 players and another 60 grownups.
Mark Twain had an appropriate saying. "It is better to keep your mouth shut and be thought a fool, than to open it and remove all doubt."
Final thoughts:
When I teach Law 5 in the Entry Level Clinic, I like to tell the Newbies, "When you enter the field, you do not behave like God, you ARE god... but be a benevolent one." Well, this referee got the first part, but missed the catch.
Referees are there to enforce the rules, sure. But, there is a deeper purpose to our presence. Simply put, the referee is there to ensure that every player has the opportunity to play to the full extent of his or her abilities in a safe venue.
The referee must give all his attention and ability to the match being played. He must show the players, coaches, spectators and the game of soccer respect... the same respect he wants in return.
Keep in mind, the only things you need for a soccer game are players, a ball, and a field; referees are an option. (I tell them this in the ELC, too.) The trick is to be an option people want to take.
(If you wish to comment on this article, send a message to basra@basra-refs.org.)
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