Refs are not above the game. Any game

Games 51-52, 2021-22

Everybody's game (Pic: RT)

I spend enough time on here complaining about the behaviour of players, coaches and spectators alike. Many referees, though, don't help much either when it comes to showing our profession in a good light. From my perspective as a coach, here's what I often see from the touchline:

* poor dress code, giving off a 'couldn't care less' impression. Tracksuit bottoms when it's neither really wet nor cold. Short socks, socks rolled down or wrong socks altogether. Shabby, polyester jersey from the 90s - no excuse for that as new kit's not expensive, and most clubs here pay for their refs' gear. Refs shouldn't be wearing caps, scarves or gloves unless the weather's really extreme. 

* absent communication. I coach a U11 team. They're not hard to talk to - they're still in the pre-adolescent phase of being curious, cheeky and cheerful. They love jokes, for example. They don't mind clear instructions or explanations on, say, foul throws or where to stand on free-kicks, or even why you gave a particular decision. Really, any kind of human interaction to show that we're all in this game together.

* negative attitude. Sure, it's early on a Saturday morning, and a U11 game is not the Bundesliga, where you'll doubtless be officiating just a few short years from now. Still, make it look like you're at least somewhat engaged. Don't show up just before kick-off. Don't look like you'd rather be on the 24-hour shift shovelling coal into hell's ovens. Blow your whistle with more than a hint of conviction. Don't walk off at the end of the game before my players have had the chance to thank you.

* know the basic rules. It doesn't matter if you're not exactly sure of the correct re-start when a dog runs on to the field, dribbles the ball into the goal and then starts chewing the corner flag to celebrate. But you should definitely know that there is no such thing as an indirect free-kick for handball by an outfield player. And that there is no such thing as a direct free-kick in the penalty area just because the foul "wasn't intentional". 

I never say a word about any of these things before, during or after the game (though I may send a note to the referee's assignors). I'm bringing this up now because, when I'm warming up before Game 52, the home team's assistant coach comes over and thanks me profusely, and then shakes my hand, merely for having turned up in good time, and for taking the game seriously enough to run and stretch. "But I do this before every game," I tell him. "Yes," he replies, "but a lot of your colleagues think they can just show up five minutes before kick-off and then run straight out on to the pitch." Then he turns around and leaves me to continue my preparations.

I don't feel flattered for doing my job, I feel deflated that going through my pre-match routine is somehow considered out of the norm and worthy of extra praise. That there are referees who think games like these are beneath them. In which case, you should not be refereeing at all. There are very few referees in amateur soccer who are of a higher quality than the games we officiate. To borrow a line from Morrissey, if you're so very, very special, then why are you not out somewhere else with a three-ref team tonight, getting paid accordingly?

I enjoy this afternoon of refereeing. At the coin toss, the home captain compliments the away team's captain on their rainbow arm band. The away team's captain smiles and thanks them in return. There is one yellow card, for a tactical foul. When a player accidentally clatters a team-mate, the first player apologises and then they both laugh. Over 90 minutes, there is one complaint about one decision, from one single player. Even when the game heats up with some dubious tackles, there's no squaring up, no fist-tightening, no bellicose reproach, no chuntering from the bench. How can I best put this? Today's players don't seem to have the same penchant for drama as some of the other teams I referee.

All referees should know that respect is a two-way street. If you think you're above the game you're reffing then you're dragging us all below the minimum standard for good manners, and you should quit the whistle now.

Game 51: 6-4 (3 x yellow)
Game 52: 0-0 (1 x yellow)

Want to read more? 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.