The time is perfect for radical reform

Games 34-37, 2021-22

Is change in the air? Coaches keep thanking me for showing up to referee their games. On Saturday, one coach was particularly grateful that I'd turned out "in this awful weather". Several spectators have been thanking me too. It makes me wonder if the state FA has issued a circular to all its clubs during the winter break, reminding them of the referee shortage and asking them to be extra nice. Nothing wrong with that, though such reminders don't tend to have much stamina.

Meanwhile, myself and four fellow referees took the time off during the winter break to take stock and draft our manifesto. The response from our referees' association was nothing but positive, and genuinely enthusiastic that we cared enough to go to so much effort. Outlining concrete proposals, rather than just moaning, has turned out to be the best approach. Not all these ideas fall under our refereeing body's remit, but the idea is to fire up a discussion and have them put their own modified list of suggestions to the state FA. Much of our focus is on the role of youth team coaches, because that's where the problems begin - the consequence of bad education. Here's a summary of the main points:

- an intensive campaign to protect all young and newly qualified referees from abuse, inspired by the Worcestershire FA's #seemysocks initiative. Goal: to improve awareness among clubs, and to improve long term coaching and mentoring of young refs

- transparency throughout the disciplinary process so that referees know poor and disgraceful conduct has been duly punished
- a statutory FA D-licence for all coaches and team managers from U11 upwards. Qualification upon completion of a two-day course, with exam. Focus on handling young players, the Laws of the Game, and how to interact with and treat referees. Re-qualification every 12 months. Only licensed coaches/managers allowed in the technical area.

- a digital ID card for all coaches/ managers, to be presented to referees before every game. Card to be suspended or annulled for failure to pass the D-licence exam, or for punishable behaviour

- youth teams to be docked points when their coaches are carded - one point for a yellow card, three points for a red. Coaches to be suspended for one game for a yellow card, four games for a red

- the appointment at all clubs of a designated official, or officials, responsible for the welfare of referees on game days, and for monitoring coach behaviour (youth and adult teams)

- harsh and consistent penalties for discriminatory behaviour of any kind from coaches and players

If the clubs are to be believed, it's always just a small minority of coaches and players that are causing the problems. In that case, they should welcome the proposals, which provide a simple framework to take care of miscreants. If the penalties seem harsh, that's because they are - the current penalty system's not working, and refs are quitting in droves. A combination of consistently applied fines, suspensions and point deductions will cause undisciplined clubs to hurt and then change their approach to sport. See hackneyed movie poster above: "Some people learn the hard way..." At least, that's the hope.

So, on to the games - all four are friendlies and mostly quiet. Despite my self-proclaimed boycott last year of U17/U19 games, I agree to ref a boys' U17 game on Sunday evening because I've never once had a problem at the home club. The game turns out to be incredibly fast and physical for the full 80 minutes, but almost dissent-free, and with far fewer fouls once I'd shown a couple of yellow cards. The footwork's deft, the tackles are hard, the game flows and passes in no time at all. Hugely gratifying to ref.

To cap off a perfect evening, I get a text just after the final whistle from Mrs RT. 'When are you back home? Got dinner if you're interested...' Yes, I'm interested. In everything right now. In spaghetti and tomato sauce, always. And in radical reform for the immediate and long term future. 

Game 34: 3-2 (3 x yellow)
Game 35: 3-0 (no cards)
Game 36: 0-8 (no cards)
Game 37: 4-2 (2 x yellow, 1 x time-penalty)

Click here to order Reffing Hell: Stuck In The Middle Of A Game Gone Wrong by Ian Plenderleith (Halcyon Publishing), published on August 8, 2022.