I'm noticing some quite major differences in the style of refereeing in different parts of the world. Has anyone else had the same thoughts?
English referees: Very relaxed and calm, sometimes too calm, with a strong emphasis on communication. Very friendly. Will often have a long-ish conversation with a player or a captain, something that referees in other cultures try to avoid. Takes a long time to make up his mind when it comes to disciplinary sanctions. Often lenient, sometimes too lenient and passive when the game heats up. Uses almost without exception two watches, and the whistle on a lanyard.
German referees: Has a very long whistle tone with little variation. Body language is the German referee's biggest strength. He will rarely smile and be a friendly character who communicates with the players. Strict and fair.
Italian referees: A very fit character, whose theatrical body language often stands out. The quickest to show cards, often has the card in the air already when the whistle goes. He holds the card between the thumb and index finger, with the other fingers sticking out in an extremely theatrical manner (see below).
Not afraid to make courageous, often overly courageous decisions when it comes to red cards and penalties, and always very strict with protesting players, not afraid to show a straight red for dissent, and a low threshold for dismissing managers. Often shouting and screaming in players' faces, sometimes provoking them unnecessarily.
Spanish referees: Card-happy. Extremely card-happy. Their fitness also stands out. Sometimes a little cowardly when it comes to penalty area decisions, it takes a lot more for a Spanish referee to give a penalty than for an Italian referee. Excellent body language. Does not manage the game too much, instead showing cards where referees in other countries would give a dressing down.
English referees: Very relaxed and calm, sometimes too calm, with a strong emphasis on communication. Very friendly. Will often have a long-ish conversation with a player or a captain, something that referees in other cultures try to avoid. Takes a long time to make up his mind when it comes to disciplinary sanctions. Often lenient, sometimes too lenient and passive when the game heats up. Uses almost without exception two watches, and the whistle on a lanyard.
German referees: Has a very long whistle tone with little variation. Body language is the German referee's biggest strength. He will rarely smile and be a friendly character who communicates with the players. Strict and fair.
Italian referees: A very fit character, whose theatrical body language often stands out. The quickest to show cards, often has the card in the air already when the whistle goes. He holds the card between the thumb and index finger, with the other fingers sticking out in an extremely theatrical manner (see below).
Not afraid to make courageous, often overly courageous decisions when it comes to red cards and penalties, and always very strict with protesting players, not afraid to show a straight red for dissent, and a low threshold for dismissing managers. Often shouting and screaming in players' faces, sometimes provoking them unnecessarily.
Spanish referees: Card-happy. Extremely card-happy. Their fitness also stands out. Sometimes a little cowardly when it comes to penalty area decisions, it takes a lot more for a Spanish referee to give a penalty than for an Italian referee. Excellent body language. Does not manage the game too much, instead showing cards where referees in other countries would give a dressing down.
