This is very interesting. Webb gives a corners and (correctly) goes to check if there is a head injury to the player on the line as his 1st responsibility is player safety. While he is doing this someone clearly tells him (correctly) that the player handled ball and he takes the correct action (send off the player for denying a clear goal-scoring opportunity and award a penalty).
Eygpt are now complaining becauses rules state referee cannot get advice from 4th official. His defense maybe that it was a linesman who advised him since I beleive there are also miced up.
Anyway I think the rule is wrong - the ref should be able to get help to get a the right decision from a video ref.
BTW I love the way he handles all the dissent. He just ignores it and gets on with his business of sending off the player and organising the penalty.
Tuesday, 16 June 2009
Sunday, 24 May 2009
Ref vs Umpire
Well I've finished my first (partial) season and my Saturday afternoons are now devoted to playing cricket.
It was our 2nd second game yesterday and I was reflecting on the difference between umpire and referee at club level. In club cricket the normal practice is that two members of the batting side act as umpires (the duty is usually rotated every 10 overs) so if you're batting, it's a member of your own team you might give you out. This works incredibly well and in 24 years of playing men's club cricket I have only ever seen one incident of blatant bias by an umpire.
Even though there are plenty of contentious decisions you just don't see dissent in club cricket as happens constantly in club football. Why is this? I think there's a number of reasons:
1. Established norms of behaviour. It's the same people playing football as cricket in many cases but they behave better when playing football mainly because they comply to the norms of the environment, established from top to bottom in the sport. Football could learn alot from this...change the behaviour in the premiership, change it in the park.
2. Time to calm down. Cricket is essentially a turn-based, individual game wrapped up as a team game. The bowler who has an lbw turned down has time to calm down and get an explanation from an umpire before bowling again.
3. Perceived neutrality. The batsman who thinks he is "triggered" (given out wrongly, by an umpire with a "trigger" finger) can talk to his team-mate about it later when he has calmed down. However it's his team-mate who gave him out so he's not going to leap to the conclusion that he is a "cheat". A football referee whilst (ironically) more neutral is constantly accused of bias.
It was our 2nd second game yesterday and I was reflecting on the difference between umpire and referee at club level. In club cricket the normal practice is that two members of the batting side act as umpires (the duty is usually rotated every 10 overs) so if you're batting, it's a member of your own team you might give you out. This works incredibly well and in 24 years of playing men's club cricket I have only ever seen one incident of blatant bias by an umpire.
Even though there are plenty of contentious decisions you just don't see dissent in club cricket as happens constantly in club football. Why is this? I think there's a number of reasons:
1. Established norms of behaviour. It's the same people playing football as cricket in many cases but they behave better when playing football mainly because they comply to the norms of the environment, established from top to bottom in the sport. Football could learn alot from this...change the behaviour in the premiership, change it in the park.
2. Time to calm down. Cricket is essentially a turn-based, individual game wrapped up as a team game. The bowler who has an lbw turned down has time to calm down and get an explanation from an umpire before bowling again.
3. Perceived neutrality. The batsman who thinks he is "triggered" (given out wrongly, by an umpire with a "trigger" finger) can talk to his team-mate about it later when he has calmed down. However it's his team-mate who gave him out so he's not going to leap to the conclusion that he is a "cheat". A football referee whilst (ironically) more neutral is constantly accused of bias.
Monday, 11 May 2009
Money, money. money
Many people are surprised to learn there is a match fee for ref at local league level. In my regular league it's £30 per game, which I think is fairly typical (youth 11-a-side is more likely to be £20 per game). So obviously I'm not doing it for the money!
In professional football, refs in the Football League get £250 per game plus expenses but would not be full-time. The assistant referees running the line get less, despite being closer to the abusive crowd.
The "Select Group of professional referees" in the premiership (guys like Howard Webb and Phil Dowd) get a basic salary of £60,000 per year with extra for European games. They will do about 25 games per season so that's about £2,400 a game.
Compare that to the players. In the premiership average salary is close to £100,000 per month of playing time so let's say they play six games a month, that's about £17,000 a game (but they get paid whether they play or not). Most of the highest profile guys will be making money on top of that for endorsements and so on, not to mention the money they make when they change clubs - especially when they go on a Bosman and the new club doesn't have to pay the old club a penny.
And then there's "Beckham Inc", which is in another league altogether.
In professional football, refs in the Football League get £250 per game plus expenses but would not be full-time. The assistant referees running the line get less, despite being closer to the abusive crowd.
The "Select Group of professional referees" in the premiership (guys like Howard Webb and Phil Dowd) get a basic salary of £60,000 per year with extra for European games. They will do about 25 games per season so that's about £2,400 a game.
Compare that to the players. In the premiership average salary is close to £100,000 per month of playing time so let's say they play six games a month, that's about £17,000 a game (but they get paid whether they play or not). Most of the highest profile guys will be making money on top of that for endorsements and so on, not to mention the money they make when they change clubs - especially when they go on a Bosman and the new club doesn't have to pay the old club a penny.
And then there's "Beckham Inc", which is in another league altogether.
Friday, 8 May 2009
Reflections on fallout from Champions League Semi-Final
As I saw it...
- Ballack man-handled the referee because, in Ballack's opinion, he didn't give a penalty decision in injury time
- Drogba verbally berated the referee and had to be restrained from physically attacking him because he felt he was denied victory by the referee's mistakes
- Drogba told the world he thought the referee was a "f*****g disgrace" by shouting into a TV camera
- after game the Chelsea manager said he understood Drogba's behaviour and the Chelsea captain said he supported Drogba
- the next day Drogba apologised for his behaviour in the press
Some thoughts...
- If Drogba said to the referee after the final whistle what he said to the camera he should have a red, not a yellow
- Drogba sets his own personal standards for his behaviour and for me they are not good enough, can anyone imagine Ryan Giggs behaving like that? or for that matter Tiger Woods, Rafa Nadal, Johnny Wilkinson or Andrew Strauss?
- the club set their standards and they are not good enough either by not condemning Drogba and Ballack's behaviour whatever their emotions, they diminish themselves and the sport
- I think the referee got himself into a mindset of "they are trying to get something from me and I'm not giving them to them", he legitimately turned down 2-3 penalty appeals but then made a bad miss on the Pique incident- that sequence has pretty much already happened to me... the more a team pressures you the worse decisions you make (this can go for or against them)
- I don't believe Drogba's apology, I think he just wants a smaller ban.
The whole thing makes me sad and a little angry.
The referee made a mistake that denied Chelsea victory.
When Drogba cut inside the last defender and scuffed a weak, left-footed shot at the keeper he made a mistake that denied Chelsea victory.
What are the consequences for both individuals and the game? The millionaire footballer may sit out a few games, the referee is in hiding I am pretty sure the damage to the game is done and calling a referee a "f****** disgrace" has been further legitimised.
- Ballack man-handled the referee because, in Ballack's opinion, he didn't give a penalty decision in injury time
- Drogba verbally berated the referee and had to be restrained from physically attacking him because he felt he was denied victory by the referee's mistakes
- Drogba told the world he thought the referee was a "f*****g disgrace" by shouting into a TV camera
- after game the Chelsea manager said he understood Drogba's behaviour and the Chelsea captain said he supported Drogba
- the next day Drogba apologised for his behaviour in the press
Some thoughts...
- If Drogba said to the referee after the final whistle what he said to the camera he should have a red, not a yellow
- Drogba sets his own personal standards for his behaviour and for me they are not good enough, can anyone imagine Ryan Giggs behaving like that? or for that matter Tiger Woods, Rafa Nadal, Johnny Wilkinson or Andrew Strauss?
- the club set their standards and they are not good enough either by not condemning Drogba and Ballack's behaviour whatever their emotions, they diminish themselves and the sport
- I think the referee got himself into a mindset of "they are trying to get something from me and I'm not giving them to them", he legitimately turned down 2-3 penalty appeals but then made a bad miss on the Pique incident- that sequence has pretty much already happened to me... the more a team pressures you the worse decisions you make (this can go for or against them)
- I don't believe Drogba's apology, I think he just wants a smaller ban.
The whole thing makes me sad and a little angry.
The referee made a mistake that denied Chelsea victory.
When Drogba cut inside the last defender and scuffed a weak, left-footed shot at the keeper he made a mistake that denied Chelsea victory.
What are the consequences for both individuals and the game? The millionaire footballer may sit out a few games, the referee is in hiding I am pretty sure the damage to the game is done and calling a referee a "f****** disgrace" has been further legitimised.
Saturday, 2 May 2009
Good game
A much better game today. A hot day and a 10 o'clock kick-off for both teams' last game of the season. Easier teams to handle with home team having already won the division but I was much happier with how I approached it.
I have realised at the level I am refereeing I spend most of my time adjudicating on pushing in the back when competing for headers and throw-ins. I gave my first penalty in this match (for a push in fact).. a bit of complaining but nothing serious. The keeper saved it.
The main challenge in this match was to maintain concentration, especially in the first half when there was not much to give... I caught myself watching the game once or twice and had to get my mind back on it.. luckily didn't miss anything in those times. It's a shame as a ref that you can't really comment on a match, there was some good skill on show today and I enjoyed the game.
I was getting a bit of nagging from the players in the 2nd half and I have noticed a tendency in myself to just stop whistling at times when this happens but I was on that today and made sure I gave what I saw and didn't 2nd guess myself too much.
Tired, hot and blistered at the end but very happy with a good game. Nice way to end the season. Annoying that I am one game short of applying for my promotion to level 7.
I have realised at the level I am refereeing I spend most of my time adjudicating on pushing in the back when competing for headers and throw-ins. I gave my first penalty in this match (for a push in fact).. a bit of complaining but nothing serious. The keeper saved it.
The main challenge in this match was to maintain concentration, especially in the first half when there was not much to give... I caught myself watching the game once or twice and had to get my mind back on it.. luckily didn't miss anything in those times. It's a shame as a ref that you can't really comment on a match, there was some good skill on show today and I enjoyed the game.
I was getting a bit of nagging from the players in the 2nd half and I have noticed a tendency in myself to just stop whistling at times when this happens but I was on that today and made sure I gave what I saw and didn't 2nd guess myself too much.
Tired, hot and blistered at the end but very happy with a good game. Nice way to end the season. Annoying that I am one game short of applying for my promotion to level 7.
Wednesday, 22 April 2009
Bad Game
A major learning experience for me this evening. By far the worst game I've done. I agreed to ref this match as a favour to a team I used to play for - it meant kicking off at 6.30 and I could only leave work at 6 to get to the ground for 6.10.
What a mistake. I wasn't switched on mentally and after 20 minutes I just didn't want to be there. I know I missed loads of fouls challenges. I should have issued at least three cautions but somehow didn't feel I should as I wasn't league appointed. Also I should have given a penalty late in the game but was still flustered by an incident where I was unsure how to restart the game. The goalkeeper had the ball in his hands and I blew because I wanted to talk to him for bumping into an attacker and I just wanted him to calm down not to give a free kick but he threw the ball away. At least that didn't affect the result (the non-awarded team won 2-0).
Generally felt I lost respect of the players, full control and engagement with the game. Hugely disappointing and for 10 minutes sitting alone in the ref's changing room I just felt like giving the whole thing up but I then I started talking myself round and thinking what I should learn: I will not take another game where I don't feel I can go into it fully prepared, mentally and physically, and ready to issue whatever cautions I see.
What a mistake. I wasn't switched on mentally and after 20 minutes I just didn't want to be there. I know I missed loads of fouls challenges. I should have issued at least three cautions but somehow didn't feel I should as I wasn't league appointed. Also I should have given a penalty late in the game but was still flustered by an incident where I was unsure how to restart the game. The goalkeeper had the ball in his hands and I blew because I wanted to talk to him for bumping into an attacker and I just wanted him to calm down not to give a free kick but he threw the ball away. At least that didn't affect the result (the non-awarded team won 2-0).
Generally felt I lost respect of the players, full control and engagement with the game. Hugely disappointing and for 10 minutes sitting alone in the ref's changing room I just felt like giving the whole thing up but I then I started talking myself round and thinking what I should learn: I will not take another game where I don't feel I can go into it fully prepared, mentally and physically, and ready to issue whatever cautions I see.
Friday, 17 April 2009
Evening game
I did a game in Surrey Hants Border League yesterday evening. Generally I felt it was an improvement on my last game. My positioning was better, not so on top of the ball. Also felt I used the captains more effectively. The away team had a fast forward who was annoying the opposing centre backs. Just before half time there was an incident near the touch line for which I gave a free kick. After a home defender claimed the forward had spat at him. If he did, and I had seen that, it would have been straight red.
In the second half the home defenders were trying to get their retribution, diving in a bit and I asked the captain to have a word, which he did and things did calm down.
I had a controversial incident with the score at 1-0 to home team when I over ruled a club linesman flagging for offside against the away team and called out "play on, play on" as I felt I had a better view. The defenders hesitated and the attacking team scored to make it 2-0. Even though I think I made the right decision on the offside, I did not want to affect the game like that and it did make me feel a bit flat.
There were loud protests of course and soon after I blew for a free kick for the away team but they wanted to play advantage and the away manager shouted "you're ruining the game". I did not speak to him, where perhaps I should have but I did not hear from him again - guess he just calmed down. I know these comments need to be ignored, and there were plenty of positive comments too at the end.
The away team scored again from a free kick and it ended 3-0. I picked up a blister on my toe wearing studs on a very hard pitch.
In the second half the home defenders were trying to get their retribution, diving in a bit and I asked the captain to have a word, which he did and things did calm down.
I had a controversial incident with the score at 1-0 to home team when I over ruled a club linesman flagging for offside against the away team and called out "play on, play on" as I felt I had a better view. The defenders hesitated and the attacking team scored to make it 2-0. Even though I think I made the right decision on the offside, I did not want to affect the game like that and it did make me feel a bit flat.
There were loud protests of course and soon after I blew for a free kick for the away team but they wanted to play advantage and the away manager shouted "you're ruining the game". I did not speak to him, where perhaps I should have but I did not hear from him again - guess he just calmed down. I know these comments need to be ignored, and there were plenty of positive comments too at the end.
The away team scored again from a free kick and it ended 3-0. I picked up a blister on my toe wearing studs on a very hard pitch.
Tuesday, 14 April 2009
The referee's alphabet
My brother introduced me to Half Man Half Biscuit and I've always loved them for classics such as "All I Want For Christmas Is A Dukla Prague Away Kit" and "Reflections In A Flat" and possibly the lyric... "You can lead a horse to water but a pencil must be lead mate" - is that just a non-sequitur or genius? I favour the latter.
I've only recently stumbled on this and it really made me smile given my recent experiences.
I've only recently stumbled on this and it really made me smile given my recent experiences.
Games coming up...
... on Thursday night and on Saturday 2nd May. The latter features a Christian team, who's ethos speask of "spreading love through the medium of football" - let's see if they are any easier to referee.
Saturday, 11 April 2009
Thursday, 2 April 2009
Very good article
Alyson Rudd's first match as a referee I can recognise an awful lot of what she's saying and the quotes in there, especially about the challenge. I think that is the answer to my original question "Why become a ref?", "For the challenge".
... didn't realise FA are losing 5000-7000 refs per year due to abuse.
... didn't realise FA are losing 5000-7000 refs per year due to abuse.
Monday, 30 March 2009
Sunday, 29 March 2009
Style
They say you should develop your own style as a referee.. Maybe Clésio Moreira dos Santos has taken it a bit far.. despite his extremely camp style apparently he's not at all gay
Saturday, 28 March 2009
"Friendly"
Well second game went OK but lots to learn from it.
The first half I was very pleased with; felt I was in control, definite and established a good relationship with the players, being quite vocal.
I think I may have relaxed a bit at half time as I felt the game got away from me a bit at the start of the second half.. I missed a few pushes and niggly tackles and tended with quite a few players arguing with me and each other. Also my positioning was not great a couple of times and I ended up in the way of play.
There was a massive downpour on this cold, windy day and that seemed to calm everyone and the last quarter of the match was quite straight forward.
Very friendly home club and the manager even brought me a cup of tea after the game.
I'm just watching the England friendly and the ref has only had to give two free kicks in first 35 minutes... reckon he has it easier than us refs at low levels!
The first half I was very pleased with; felt I was in control, definite and established a good relationship with the players, being quite vocal.
I think I may have relaxed a bit at half time as I felt the game got away from me a bit at the start of the second half.. I missed a few pushes and niggly tackles and tended with quite a few players arguing with me and each other. Also my positioning was not great a couple of times and I ended up in the way of play.
There was a massive downpour on this cold, windy day and that seemed to calm everyone and the last quarter of the match was quite straight forward.
Very friendly home club and the manager even brought me a cup of tea after the game.
I'm just watching the England friendly and the ref has only had to give two free kicks in first 35 minutes... reckon he has it easier than us refs at low levels!
Thursday, 26 March 2009
Booked for Saturday
Had a mail last night asking me to referee a friendly on Saturday so that will be my 2nd match. My ref mentor says there's no such thing as friendlies and you have to ref it as a normal match... we shall see.
Monday, 23 March 2009
Feedback
I contacted the club to get them to confirm the cautioned player's name. As I suspected the name given to me was false. They also said "the feedback I got was that you had a good game, as I believe it was your first match. Well done and keep it up."
So that was good to hear.
So that was good to hear.
Saturday, 21 March 2009
First match!
Well I'm just back from my first match. I think it went OK overall.
It was at least as difficult as I thought it was going to be - mentally and physically!
A hard bouncy pitch causing lots of high feet and only one linesman did not make for the best conditions.
I think in the first half I could have managed the contact around the high ball a bit better, perhaps letting too much pushing and mistimed jumps into players go but I felt happier with that in the second half.
Players are asking for diecisions in their favour the whole time and there was a bit "how do you get that" and "you must be joking" style feedback but almost all the players responded to a simple "calm down".
There was one player who it became obvious would be my only real problem. He was playing centre forward for the away team and he was just constantly niggling, jumping out of tackles and asking for free kicks, not retreating 10 at free kicks, deliberately bumping opposing players as he walked past them and so on.
At one point waiting for a goal kick to be taken in the first half there was some minor pushing between him and the opposing captain and I could see they were arguing although I couldn't hear exactly what was said. I stopped the game and pulled both players into a neutral area of the pitch. I explained that I thought the conditions weren't helping but that I needed them both to just get on with the game. I asked them to shake hands but the wouldn't, I asked again and they still wouldn't so I restarted play - regretted that I should have left it at the talking to.
He carried on being niggling and I gave a number of free kicks against him (and some for him). After about 50 minutes and another trip from him I stopped the game , pulled him aside and said "that's your last one, next time you're in the book" (I didn't actually mean to be that explicit with the threat). Sure enough a few minutes later he committed another foul and I decided to book him for persistent infringement. I blew my whistle and he start walking away muttering "f**k off" possibly to himself, possibly to me. I whistled persistently and he came over and I cautioned him. I slightly regret not sending him off for foul and abusive language.
The other thing is I think he gave me a false name as the name I wrote down was different from what his players were calling him. I've asked my mentor how I handle that in my report.
At the end of the game more than half the players came and shook my hand and thanked me. Two from each side said "you had a good game" so that pleased me. One from the cautioned player's side said "sorry you got a mouthy one but he's always like that".
I don't have any more matches booked in yet.
It was at least as difficult as I thought it was going to be - mentally and physically!
A hard bouncy pitch causing lots of high feet and only one linesman did not make for the best conditions.
I think in the first half I could have managed the contact around the high ball a bit better, perhaps letting too much pushing and mistimed jumps into players go but I felt happier with that in the second half.
Players are asking for diecisions in their favour the whole time and there was a bit "how do you get that" and "you must be joking" style feedback but almost all the players responded to a simple "calm down".
There was one player who it became obvious would be my only real problem. He was playing centre forward for the away team and he was just constantly niggling, jumping out of tackles and asking for free kicks, not retreating 10 at free kicks, deliberately bumping opposing players as he walked past them and so on.
At one point waiting for a goal kick to be taken in the first half there was some minor pushing between him and the opposing captain and I could see they were arguing although I couldn't hear exactly what was said. I stopped the game and pulled both players into a neutral area of the pitch. I explained that I thought the conditions weren't helping but that I needed them both to just get on with the game. I asked them to shake hands but the wouldn't, I asked again and they still wouldn't so I restarted play - regretted that I should have left it at the talking to.
He carried on being niggling and I gave a number of free kicks against him (and some for him). After about 50 minutes and another trip from him I stopped the game , pulled him aside and said "that's your last one, next time you're in the book" (I didn't actually mean to be that explicit with the threat). Sure enough a few minutes later he committed another foul and I decided to book him for persistent infringement. I blew my whistle and he start walking away muttering "f**k off" possibly to himself, possibly to me. I whistled persistently and he came over and I cautioned him. I slightly regret not sending him off for foul and abusive language.
The other thing is I think he gave me a false name as the name I wrote down was different from what his players were calling him. I've asked my mentor how I handle that in my report.
At the end of the game more than half the players came and shook my hand and thanked me. Two from each side said "you had a good game" so that pleased me. One from the cautioned player's side said "sorry you got a mouthy one but he's always like that".
I don't have any more matches booked in yet.
Thursday, 12 March 2009
First appointment
I have my first appointment - I will be starting my referee career on the 21st March.
Saturday, 7 March 2009
Ref Kit
My kit arrived yesterday: shirt, shorts, socks, watch, flags, pump, two sets of cards, notebook, two whistles.. about £100 investment all in. Tried the kit on last night... kind of odd seeing myself in the full black kit!
Tried to register on the FA website as a referee but found I have only half the details I need... I don't think the FA is very technically literate from what I've experienced so far.
Just waiting for my first match appointment now. I think it might be two weeks today.
Tried to register on the FA website as a referee but found I have only half the details I need... I don't think the FA is very technically literate from what I've experienced so far.
Just waiting for my first match appointment now. I think it might be two weeks today.
Tuesday, 3 March 2009
Level 9
I am now a Level 9 referee. Just back from county HQ and passed the exam. The pass mark is 75% and they wouldn't give out my exact score but said it was "an easy pass" so I think I was around 90%. 5 of our group of 31 failed.
I now must referee 6 games in order to be promoted to a level 7 referee and have been appointed a qualified mentor to help me through these first matches.
I'm going to send off the local saturday league league referee registration form tomorrow and wait for my first appointment. With all the bad weather this year I expect there will be midweek matches so I should be able to get my 6 games in this season.
I'm still waiting for my kit that I ordered last week to arrive... can't start without that!
I now must referee 6 games in order to be promoted to a level 7 referee and have been appointed a qualified mentor to help me through these first matches.
I'm going to send off the local saturday league league referee registration form tomorrow and wait for my first appointment. With all the bad weather this year I expect there will be midweek matches so I should be able to get my 6 games in this season.
I'm still waiting for my kit that I ordered last week to arrive... can't start without that!
Monday, 2 March 2009
Things I didn't expect from the course
- An attacker can be offside whilst off the pitch beyond the goal line
- Whistles have different tones, which is why a ref should have two as a ref on neighbouring pitch may have the same tone
- We don't talk about "pitches" any more, it's the "field of play"
- That so many kids of school age would want to qualify as referees... then I found out it counts toward Duke Of Edinburgh award and some other award too
Why become a ref?
I decided a while back to become a football referee. I stopped platying active football two years ago when I had a back op. I have a 7-year-old son who plays mini-soccer.
I mentioned to a few friends that I was thinking of becoming a referee and they all said "you'd be good at that"... is that a good thing? I'm not sure.
After some prevarication I signed up for a course run by a county FA. I finished it last Monday and the exam is tomorrow night. If I pass I will be a Level 9 referee, qualified to refereee "parks football".
So why do it? I want to see if I am any good at it...
I mentioned to a few friends that I was thinking of becoming a referee and they all said "you'd be good at that"... is that a good thing? I'm not sure.
After some prevarication I signed up for a course run by a county FA. I finished it last Monday and the exam is tomorrow night. If I pass I will be a Level 9 referee, qualified to refereee "parks football".
So why do it? I want to see if I am any good at it...
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
