Introduced almost ten years ago the figures quoted in the aftermath show a reduction in reports of misconduct, assaults and cautions for dissent but is it enough? Is it working? With a national campaign for the introduction of ‘body cams’ on referees, are misdemeanours on the rise? I thought junior football had stamped out poor behaviour but last weekend I experienced the problems first hand in a rare outing on an U17 fixture.
As a fellow referee and avid blogger I enjoy Ian Plenderleith’s Referee Tales (https://twitter.com/RefereeTales). It’s always comforting to know that amateur football in Germany is much the same as it is in the British Isles. As a county and contributory level official my games are mild mannered compared to Ian’s experiences. This Sunday, however, I felt like I was living in one of his posts as I accepted to referee a County U17 game. Due to coaching/managing commitments on a Sunday morning I rarely referee on Sunday afternoon as my County’s infrastructure and geographical issues mean most games are a minimum 25 minute drive. I am preoccupied with collecting subs and sweeping changing rooms until the afternoon so a 1400hrs kick off time is usually too soon for me.
I had spoken to the home secretary in the week to ascertain match details. He seemed delighted that I was appointed to his game. I asked why and he divulged that the reverse fixture was marred by threats of violence and their opponents manager losing his position as well as his mind. After learning of the mass brawl at the final whistle and the potential shit storm I agreed that a respect barrier would be wise along with keeping parents at different areas. Segregation at a youth game is a new one to me.
The game in question was a 45 minute drive and I had just about put my broom away and grabbed a quick bacon and egg sandwich in our local pub after collecting fees when I was on my way. Luckily, the caravan and tractor brigade had taken a day off so I arrived in plenty of time. A new pavilion welcomed me, resplendent with tea and coffee facilities and central heating! It had been opened the week before and so I was treated to a sparkling changing room with a shower that was so new it still had all the protection tape on it.
Walking out to the pitch the respect tape was doing its job. The home side parents and spectators where bunched in the corner with a cricket square segregating them from the away sides. I’m no cricket fan but I breathed a sign of relief that the wicket was so meticulously annexed. Handshakes concluded, club linesman introduced, coin toss witnessed and we were off. The game seemed perfectly normal until the home side took a deserved lead when the heckling started. I ignored the away side’s club linesman who wrongly flagged for offside in the build up and both him and the parents weren’t happy. I recited my prematch instructions of “don’t be offended if I overrule you” loud enough to wake the dead and returned to the centre circle.
A ball rolled over the touchline in the corner and the away #11 decided to fire the ball off a fence in frustration. The problem is he nearly decapitated a three year old child who stood watching. Luckily, she isn’t hurt but the loud bang of the leather hitting wood had her in floods of tears. A few of the home side players are now surrounding the offender. I beckoned him to one side and gave him a verbal warning. He has just fouled and kicked the ball away so he’s on thin ice. His apology placated the home side and I’m happy that he did it out of frustration rather than malice.
“There’s two teams in this ref” is one of the most irritating statements. There are three teams on the pitch as I am the third one. I ignore it and plough on. After a disputed throw in on the halfway line cannons off both competing players’ legs I awarded it to the defending home side. Both teams are wearing black socks so it’s near impossible to tell. This riles the away crowd who are bubbling. The game isn’t easy on the eye with both sets of players attempting to man mark their opposite number and smash the ball as hard as they can up the pitch at any opportunity. The home side move the ball for three passes then double their lead.
I have spotted the problem players. The home striker (#16) who isn’t particular problematic for me but pisses the away side off enough that they want to get in his face at every opportunity. He’s their best player and has a first touch and awareness that would shame most professions. The away side’s left back #5 takes up the lion’s share of my attention. He’s like a chubby 1990’s David Beckham complete with curtain hair cut. He seems ambidextrous in that he can kick opponents with both feet.
In a rare moment of quality the away side work the ball wide, near to where the child was almost hit and the ball is crossed. The away #4 shouts “Leave!” and I immediately blow up for an indirect free kick. As the whistle rings in his ears he smashes the ball into the top corner and the away spectators cheer. I am stood with my arm in the air and indicate no goal. I explained my decision loud enough so everyone heard. The offender doesn’t plead his ignorance but rants about players having a water break and stepping off the pitch. At this point I’m already in position up the other part of the pitch so his squeals are drowned out by the wind.
The away side are seemingly coached to push players in the back in aerial duels so their careless foul count is now in double figures. As I approach half time the away supporters are annoyed and frustrated. One is shouting about how bad I am. He even tells me that he understands how difficult it is to referee because he is one. This doesn’t stop him questioning my neutrality based on where I live. “I bet you haven’t got far to travel home, ref!?” I cannot take it anymore so I reply that I actually live closer to his team than this one if it makes any difference.
I manage to play some superb advantages in the second half and the away side look like they actually want to play. Their best player wearing #7 wriggled free of a couple of challenges and sets up their hopeless striker who balloons over, unmarked from six yards. The gaggle of idiots are shouting for a penalty even though there are no challenges inside the area and seem oblivious to my double advantage that although risky has allowed the game to flow. After the home side throw the ball in my nemesis holding the flag is flagging for a foul throw. I shout play on and he’s incensed.
Once the ball is out I asked him to recite my pre match instructions. “Ball in and out of play and have a bash at offsides if you can. Don’t flag for anything else” he replies in a childish sing song voice (he’s late 40’s/early 50’s). I stand there waiting for a punchline but realise he’s it. I give him a final warning that he will be removed from his duties if he persists. He retreats with a chorus of giggles from the well behaved home parents/spectators. I’m wondering why I agreed to a 90 minute round trip and 90 minutes of ‘football’ for £25.
The final portion of the game sees the home side score their third and fourth goals of the game and the away side become even more bitter and twisted. I’m told by one centre midfielder that they have had some terrible referee’s this season and I’m right up there. I thank him for his kind and thoughtful feedback. The final minutes are a blur of bad passes and aggravation. The home manager keeps requesting his side keep their cool even though none are interested in fighting and just want to play. I am pleased how I’ve managed to control the game without issuing a caution.
On full time the entire home side shake my hand with only three from the away team bothering. Bizarrely, the away linesman was one and says I’ve had a good game. I’m wondering if there are such a thing as male bunny boilers. On my way from the pitch I’m approached by the parent of #11. With his son next to him he says that he has deep concerns in my ability to referee and my obvious bias. I don’t reply but continue off the pitch towards the sanctuary of new and fully functioning central heating.
Unperturbed, he continues marching next to me, jabbing a finger. Under rancid coffee and what can only be described as constipation breath he lists all the leagues he can think of and says he will notify them all requesting I have an immediate assessment of my ability to referee. “I wholeheartedly agree and welcome that” I reply, his face in shock. “I’m going for promotion and I haven’t received an assessment yet.” I didn’t turn back to look at him but I could hear the steam whistling out of his ears.
twentythirdman 