Question Number: 16042

Other 7/16/2007

Al of Sarnia, ON CANADA asks...

This question is a follow up to question 16009

Aren't laughable stories the glory of officiating?

"Handball", "He can't play it on the ground", "Foul throw", and defenders saying "He needs to ask for 10 yards" are my four most frequent and favourites. I visibly grin, roll my eyes, and/or shake my head (sorry) every time I hear them -- somehow that tells players who haven't seen me before quite quickly that this referee has heard them all.

How about this one I had two nights ago in a Premier Men's match? It nearly stopped my heart.

Corner kick. As ball is being placed, an attacker moves quickly to a new location and a defender knocks him over to prevent his run. Kicker hasn't even lined up to take kick yet. Whistle goes and defender is Cautioned for his reckless push. While I'm handling "paperwork" and showing of card, most players (including several defenders) move out of Penalty Area and player taking corner picks up ball to move it to Penalty Spot. It took me nearly 30 seconds to convince BOTH teams that Corner and not PK applies in this situation. OUCH :)

Of course, several "player-assessors" helped me out by encouraging me to read the "rule book" again after the game.

Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

Yeah, when the referee can smile life is just like a kitty cat in a fresh sand box. Nothing stinks, yet...

Answer provided by Referee Ben Mueller

Yeah! Actually I find that kind of nonsense more frustrating than funny, but its worth a laugh every now and then.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Hi Al,
We enjoy your remarks, observations and questions here as it is plain to me and I am sure others, you are one of the good ones out there doing his best to share the love and knowledge of the beautiful game!
I got one funny to tell you and please do NOT try this at home or ANYWHERE near the pitch. Not to poke fun at players and their funny ideas. I will give back one at my expense. I was under the impression that my lady putting back rub on before a hotly contested match evening men?s division 2 match would help loosen a sore back from a previous hard match in the cold rain splattered morning match from a local men's league. During the second game in the first half after about 15 minutes I developed a red faced glazed rolling eye look and was very very quick to run down just about everything, passing the players and blowing the whistle with much exuberance at times. The players were slightly put off at my wild eye glare, firm commands expressed in a loud slightly irritated voice. At 45 minutes precisely as Mike Webster used to say, on the dot, no extra time I scooped the ball and ran off the field into the shower room stripped and jumped into a cold shower. The rub was a form of deep heat and too much applied ran into the crack of me butt and base of the testicles. I arrived back on the field and both teams were already waiting to start the second half I mumbled my apologies and said a family emergency. I did not let on this was about the family jewels! Second half went extremely well, no fires to put out! So the myth is when we are looking and acting strange likely our butts are on fire! Now players who read this know why we are pained at times but can share a good laugh with us as well as about us! Lol;o)
Cheers