Question Number: 16939

Other 9/27/2007

RE: Grade 1 Adult

liam mc guirk of Dubin, Rep Of Ireland asks...

Not really a question but one where I am looking for an opinion with regard to the difference in officiating at premership matches recently.In the last few games we are seeing some totally crazy refereeing ie, liverpool v chelsea, the pen that never was, utd v chelsea, the pen that never was, fulham v spurs, the dissallowed goal even thou it was two feetover the line, liverpool v reading, great goal but 3 players offside, why have we got asst referees if they can not have the courage to alert the ref to decisions that obviously can change not only the game but a season,surely that is part of their job. As a grade one ref I strive to apply the rules while using common sense if need be but these decisions I mention are not based on common sense but bad refereeing, these are the men we look to for example but if I was to make decisions on sat or sun like the ones mentioned I would be hung by players.

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

Hi Liam. I hope things are otherwise ok over there. I haven't seen any of the matches you mention so really can't comment other than saying it does seem there are a lot of Ars on ALL levels of play that are oftentimes out of position. I still believe that most of the time we get it right and that commentators almost always are wrong when they crticize the referee crew

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

The decision is made by what a referee or AR with integrity actually sees. I learned that by watching the 1996 world cup when Esse was vilified for what WAS a great call that 1 billion people simply did not see! The photo which shows the foul is irrefutable the referee was right and EVERYONE else was wrong. Yes there will be times when that is reversed but your concept that you would be hung for such decisions at grassroots level is simply not true because you are not photographed at every decision.

ALL referees including those in South America, English Premier League, Italian Serie A , Spanish Primera, German Bundesliga, Dutch Eredivisie, French Le Championat, MLS, Japanese J League, Australian A league they all strive mightily to get it right. Many referee with a sword or axe dangling overhead and yes they get paid more money than you or I but the consequences and scrutiny is unlike anything you can imagine. Sit inside a top referees house after a controversial match and listen to the phone calls when the fans believe he is responsible for their national team's loss or league loss. The vile filth, the death threats, the, we know where you live stuff. The veiled and not so veiled threats against family including their children. Good referees have given up the game in the face of such family pressure!

It is something to remember when you take the pitch. For the players to really despise you it is not for a mistake it will be because you do not care or you show no effort and they can see by your attitude and character whether they can affect you!
I will guarantee you, you have missed calls and gotten some decisions wrong where the players may agree to disagree or perhaps vehemently argue their case to no avail. I have nothing against common sense except I tend not to see it as common at all!

Losing and winning at the elite level has MASSIVE repercussions in monetary, life and job positions, politics, social stature, national selection opportunities that we at the grassroots will not be contending with in our realm of FAIR PLAY and ethical considerations.

You can believe what you wish but the referees and ARs are in direct communication and will work together to ensure they GET it right even if they unfortunately get some wrong! The post game reviews on decisions made are excruciatingly thorough and no one feels worse than an officiating crew that can plainly see the glaring ooops that shines so much brighter than the 98% correct decisions during the rest of the match
Cheers

Answer provided by Referee Jon Sommer

As a grade one referee you shouldn't, in my humble opinion, be coming onto an officials site and getting stuck into some of the best referees in the world. It isnt luck that they are at this level, it is due to dedication, skill and love for the game. These guys do a great job, n very rarely make mistakes. The penalty that never was at old trafford??? Yes Saha threw himself and there is not a chance i will ever condone this, but nowhere does it say how hard the contact has to be for a foul to have occured!!! trips or ATTEMPTS to trip ring a bell? the attempt to trip was there and the penalty awarded. Before coming on here again and getting stuck into these guys, have a think how you would be walking out infront of 75000 people at old trafford and how it feels to be talked about as if you are hitler the following day.

Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

Liam, hello. We haven't talked in quite a while but you know how I feel about those who rubbish referees. It is sad to hear. Keep working on getting experience and doing matches at the highest level possible. Work with your assistants and perhaps you may be able to advance to assignments in which the things you mention will happen, then you may have an opinion that will be upheld at the highest levels of Football. Until that time we all know the referee's opinion regarding facts connect with play is final.