DIR Return Create A Forum - Home
---------------------------------------------------------
RateTheRef
HTML https://ratetheref.createaforum.com
---------------------------------------------------------
*****************************************************
DIR Return to: General Discussion
*****************************************************
#Post#: 43375--------------------------------------------------
What One Change Would Improve The Standard of Refereeing
DIR By: anje-roo
Date: January 25, 2022, 4:44 am
---------------------------------------------------------
Interesting article in The Times (25/01/22) in which Peter
Walton covers several bases (VAR, general standard,
education/pyramid). It reads
"I don't think there's one sticking plaster for the poor use of
VAR and general standard of refereeing this season. VAR should
be used to examine clear and obvious errors but instead it is
being used for subjective decisions that should be left to
on-field referees, and that means the technology has created
more problems than it solves. One quick fix for this season
would be to keep VAR for factual decisions only from now on -
such as when the ball is in or out of play or there is an
offside call to be made - and leave subjective calls to on-field
referees. But there has also been a general problem with the
standard of refereeing in the Premier League this season. The
introduction of VAR means that many referees are officiating
games knowing they have an insurance policy in the form of the
technology. Once at the VAR monitor, they are less likely to
stay with their on-field decisions and we have also seen them
show less conviction in giving big decisions in open play. That
goes back to the education of the referees, which we have an
issue with in this country. The professional match officials who
come through the system are not in a position to be exposed to
Premier League games at present. The league is getting better
and better, but referees have not kept pace. There needs to be a
root and branch look at the way potential Premier League
referees are identified when they come through the football
pyramid, and that will take time."
Is there a proven system in any country which consistently
produces high quality officials? I sense that professionalism
effectively disqualifies too many officials who already have
careers and who can't/won't commit to the demands of
FA/EFL/PGMOL. Those who can commit are probably "young" but
won't have the depth of knowledge & experience.
My one change would be to have the officials (as in other sports
such as cricket & the 2 rugby codes) fully miked up so that
their conversations are heard. My 2nd change would be to
identify at clubs' academy level those who haven't made the
grade but who have the wherewithal to progress as officials.
That would mean those identified would start well up the pyramid
and should already have high levels of fitness. It wouldn't mean
the end of referees developed through the amateur & semi-pro
pyramid (look for example at the Georgian referee who will debut
in rugby's 6N in 2022 and who has already internationals & top
European club fixtures under his belt). But we do need to bring
referees through quicker so that, when it comes to UEFA/FIFA,
they are early/mid 30s.
Oh to be a fly on the wall at a SG1/SG2 meeting or in PGMOL's
offices.
#Post#: 43376--------------------------------------------------
Re: What One Change Would Improve The Standard of Refereeing
DIR By: Affy_Moose
Date: January 25, 2022, 5:04 am
---------------------------------------------------------
The single biggest change you can make to improve the standards
of any profession, hobby, sport, or any undertaking is to
increase the numbers of people involved. It works on the
fundamental principle that the more people engaged in an
undertaking, the greater the number will perform in the top few
percentiles.
It works exactly in the same manner that the biggest countries
have the best footballers. They have the biggest pool to
nurture and identify talent. All things being equal, they will
have more talented players.
Refereeing should be no different. The problem is that referees
are dehumanised on a regular basis by fans, players, many
coaches, as well as too many in the media. Why on earth would
most normal people want to be referees?
Fix the abuse and respect problem, and we could substantially
increase the number of officials. Greater competition creates
greater standards.
#Post#: 43377--------------------------------------------------
Re: What One Change Would Improve The Standard of Refereeing
DIR By: TheThingFromLewes
Date: January 25, 2022, 5:09 am
---------------------------------------------------------
Grandad is implying the SG is too old IMO, which is an
interesting theory seeing as he challenged the “retirement age”
The old guard in SG1 need to be removed, however the rubbish at
present in SG2 is a major issue.
#Post#: 43378--------------------------------------------------
Re: What One Change Would Improve The Standard of Refereeing
DIR By: Whistleblower
Date: January 25, 2022, 5:17 am
---------------------------------------------------------
Dealing properly with dissent. Referees would not be under so
much pressure which I believe would make for better decision
making and this would filter down through the levels to the
grassroots so that the chronic shortage of match officials, due
largely to an appalling rate of retention, might be reversed.
#Post#: 43380--------------------------------------------------
Re: What One Change Would Improve The Standard of Refereeing
DIR By: Readingfan
Date: January 25, 2022, 5:49 am
---------------------------------------------------------
Moving VAR to just factual decisions now wouldn't help. Lots of
the biggest controversies have been VAR failing to intervene
when people thought it was clear cut, such as Newcastle V Man
City penalty or potential Kane red card v Liverpool.
I think it is probably time for changes at the top, which could
help give better direction and leadership to the group.
I also agree that we should be able to hear the audio,
especially in VAR decisions. I would also like some form of
independent timekeeper introduced.
Some of the other changes suggested could well be beneficial,
although are likely to be longer term ones.
#Post#: 43381--------------------------------------------------
Re: What One Change Would Improve The Standard of Refereeing
DIR By: Mikael W
Date: January 25, 2022, 6:39 am
---------------------------------------------------------
Getting Hackett back of course! :DDD
Actually, I want to get round to a long essay about where
English refereeing is going wrong at the moment in my opinion. I
keep putting it off so I feel if I write a comment saying I am
going to do it, then it forces me to do so! After the AFCON is
finished, hopefully I will have ample time.
#Post#: 43389--------------------------------------------------
Re: What One Change Would Improve The Standard of Refereeing
DIR By: bmb
Date: January 25, 2022, 9:42 am
---------------------------------------------------------
--- Quote from: Affy_Moose link ---
>
> The single biggest change you can make to improve the
standards of any profession, hobby, sport, or any undertaking is
to increase the numbers of people involved. It works on the
fundamental principle that the more people engaged in an
undertaking, the greater the number will perform in the top few
percentiles.
>
> It works exactly in the same manner that the biggest countries
have the best footballers. They have the biggest pool to
nurture and identify talent. All things being equal, they will
have more talented players.
>
> Refereeing should be no different. The problem is that
referees are dehumanised on a regular basis by fans, players,
many coaches, as well as too many in the media. Why on earth
would most normal people want to be referees?
>
> Fix the abuse and respect problem, and we could substantially
increase the number of officials. Greater competition creates
greater standards.
>
--- End Quote ---
This.
I would add better leadership as well, along with changes in the
FA in relation to how reported cases of referee abuse are dealt
with. I'd like to see the discipline section of the FA extended
and them to deal with all reports of referee abuse at every
level. Take that away from counties who do not deal with
incidents in a consistent manner and have it all dealt by a
single body. Have a dedicated team within the FA to deal with
it and a strict and strong policy regarding punishments,
including points deductions for teams who are repeat offenders.
Personal hearings can easily be done via zoom/Microsoft Teams.
It would mean that the FA have to acknowledge there is a problem
and tackle it instead of burying their head in the sand trying
to pretend that it's not an issue. All that seems to happen
right now is when there is high media coverage of the issue
there is a new measly social media campaign saying it wont be
tolerated, a few posters/flyers appear and meaningless words
that are never followed by any real action.
#Post#: 43392--------------------------------------------------
Re: What One Change Would Improve The Standard of Refereeing
DIR By: anje-roo
Date: January 25, 2022, 10:06 am
---------------------------------------------------------
I had a dream! There'd be an end to benches/dugouts with only
medical staff & the FO allowed pitch-side. No ball persons
pitch-side. All replacements/coaches etc would be in the stand
including during permitted water-breaks. No more replacements
warming up pitch-side. Nobody allowed on pitch at HT and FT. All
PKs (not just AET or FT) would require all non-participating
players to be on half-way so either a goal (penalty taker can
score only directly from the kick) or corner (keeper saves) or
GK (PK missed). If keeper saves or ball hits post/crossbar &
ball rebounds into play or PK taker kicks the ball twice, ball
is immediately dead & restart is a GK. Nobody allowed onto the
pitch at HT or FT. If PKs (FT or AET) required, 1 person per
team allowed pitch-side. There was an independent time-keeper in
charge of the stadium clock who was miked up with the referee.
All replays/KMIs would be shown on stadium screens and all
conversations between officials would be audible. It might have
been next month's club world cup.
#Post#: 43393--------------------------------------------------
Re: What One Change Would Improve The Standard of Refereeing
DIR By: nemesis
Date: January 25, 2022, 10:10 am
---------------------------------------------------------
Eliminate deception and dissent.
#Post#: 43394--------------------------------------------------
Re: What One Change Would Improve The Standard of Refereeing
DIR By: Blind Referee
Date: January 25, 2022, 11:03 am
---------------------------------------------------------
Dead Simple for me - coaching ! Coach referees to understand the
game and the players, not just to know the laws of the game and
be able to run around like an athlete
Scrap the CORE program and use coaches that understand, allow
referees to be able to express themselves and not be consigned
to do “what is expected” - stop producing robots and instead
allow referees to referee in a way which suits their style,
their personality traits and allow referees to be their selves -
long term plan I know but now would be as good a time as ever to
start
Short term at the top level - allow referees to explain their
decisions and thought making / process via the media - bin off
Dermot on Sky as he does absolutely nothing to help and merely
muddies the water further
*****************************************************
Page 1 of 4
DIR Next Page