Question Number: 23642

Character, Attitude and Control 7/8/2010

RE: Rec, Select, Competitive Adult

Brian of Halifax, Nova Scotia Canada asks...

This question is a follow up to question 23619

This might not get posted since it's not so much a question but a rebuttal to Erik but when I watched that game I was very disappointed - to me it was cheating or at the very least poor sportsmanship. At that level if he could get his hand out to stop the ball - he could have gotten his head out there to stop the ball legally and came off the field a 'hero' of sorts. Your attitude towards fouling for the purpose of saving a goal is distorted. An honest charge (from someone really trying to tackle the ball and save a goal) that results in a careless foul is one thing but to purposely foul another player out (violent pushing, tripping, charging, striking) with the only intent on stopping the player is something else. While I've heard coaches say 'take a red card for the team' I would hope players had enough self respect to ignore those types of requests.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Referee Brian
Thanks for your comments. One of the challenges that faces referees is to decide between the deliberate purposeful foul and the genuine attempt to win the ball. When referees take the appropriate sanction even in the most blatant of situations the attitude to that by many show a lack of respect for the game.

Answer provided by Referee MrRef

Self respect would help with respect for the game - definitely. It is a bit of twisted logic players and coaches use to excuse themselves from such wholly unfair, cheating behavior. It was interesting in the WC third place final to hear the crowd booing Suarez every time he touched the ball. Apparently the folks who think that is poor sportsmanship outnumber the ones who think it poses no ethical, moral or fairness issue.