Question Number: 15294

Character, Attitude and Control 4/26/2007

RE: Pro Professional

Jon of London, UK asks...

This question is a follow up to question 15231

What a pleasant fellow. Thank you for the support from one of those officials he is talking about!! I'm not reveling my name to him for obvious reasons, but these chocolate bars....does he fancy doing one of our fitness sessions or is he happier sitting in the stands with his beer? I know the answer to this. I shouldn't be getting involved, but the sheer ignorance astounds me!!! Next he'll be telling us there was a change in the offside rule....no good sir, the rule hasn't changed; it has been clarified for fools like yourself who never understood it.

Again, thank you for the support. We do appreciate it and a lot of us do read this site. For him to say he has never heard of you means nothing. You have outstanding knowledge and understanding of the laws that are second to none. cheers guys

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

Thanks Jon. If you've been reading what transpires here, you've noticed a lot of folks seem to think offside has changed when it's just the opposite. We appreciate your kind words and do strive to impart some knowledge and a little humor.

Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

Many Thanks Jon. Those of who know what its all about appreciate what you and your colleagues must do to maintain fitness levels necessary referee the modern Game. Some of us even know what its like to work in a park where spectators have paid to watch. We understand what its like to have a player between us and the action at the instant something bad happens leaving us the only one there who didn't see what happened. To us it is bad mechanics and we hope our linesmen can help dig us out.

The only thing a spectator can do is complain the guy in the middle is blind. Every once in a great while I'll get out my white cane to find the car, doesn't happen all that often but happen it does, goes with the profession we've chosen. My clever retort to "are you blind, Ref?" is my Braille copy of the Laws of the Game doesn't demand I be able to see, neither does US Soccer. The FA, well that's another story, you guys are vision tested.

Chocolate has its place in life, so does a pint or two -- that's just how it is. The right to offer an opinion, correct or not is what makes us what we are. Too bad some of those offering opinion have boatloads of trouble accepting their opinions being challenged.

Warm Regards,

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Hi Jon,
we always appreciate your support and comments.
This fellow, pays money, as a consumer he wants value and feels undervalued. He blames officials. He indicates no effort, too many mistakes, physically unfit officials are the reasons he is not enjoying the match. It is a not a crime to disagree but those who must find fault are more often themselves to blame for the conditions which exist.

The money required to finance the elite game comes from the fans who must want to watch. I tend to be astonished at the amount of monies required and salaries paid. I know the professional route for officials was partly to offset the lack of salary and the influence money might play over one's integrity. Every once and a while the social stigma of a cheater is exposed and vilification is spread even to the grassroots where we are suspected to favor one team over the other.

A disgruntled fan is what he is, regardless if he blames others for why he feels that way! No amount of self reflection can make a wrong decision disappear, one can only forgive the mistake and move on. If that mistake is captured on camera and replayed over and over it compounds the irritation and frustration. Technology has as much to do with fueling the problems as in creating solutions.

Perception is faith based as much as opinion based but without a knowledge base is often biased based. The old walk a mile in my shoes I can appreciate that my feet hurt because they are too small or too big as the case maybe

The standard of excellence by which we are all tested is in how we participate and share in the journey that is life of which soccer is a part. I have always maintained a match is seen differently by those who play , those who watch those who play, those who manage those who play those who officiate those who play.
The needs, wants and desires of the participants are arrived at from different perspectives.

While it is a common saying that I often espouse, a referee with integrity sees what he sees! It is not that he sees perfectly. Only if effort and character combine could a measure of one's abilities become self evident. Fair play as an ideal, the knowledge and application of the laws reflect a referee's performance only to the point those who perceive if their own requirements are met.

Those who play, referee, coach and watch as fans or parents have an understanding or at least an appreciation of what factors and the needs each requires to function. We could recognize that if we agree to disagree it does not mean we cannot strive to fix issues or resolve problems however it requires we remain on the same side not adversarial for the good of the game!. On this site we strive to make that difference even if we are seen as sarcastic , condescending or close minded in the perception of the viewer.
We are human and we are sincere we are not always right or nor perfect but we are always here to stand and deliver or take what comes our way. Cheers

The following questions were asked as a follow up to the above question...

See Question: 15382