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I'm not sure what your point is
FWIW, I'm approaching 300 games or so. Guessing I've only experienced what I would term as 'abusive behaviour' on less than a handful of occasions. I don't class intense pressure for decisions as abuse. I don't class dissenting behaviour as abuse (nor does the LOTG)
Some of us (albeit, a peculiar minority), have relished the challenge you otherwise describe above
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I'm with Big Cat, what is the point of the post.
TBF, you could change the word referee to many many other jobs/hobbies and potentially get a similar outcome.
There is a problem with referee abuse. But there is also a problem with abuse of paramedics, police, traffic wardens, customer service staff, I could probably go on.
I also think that some referees are more likely to be abused than others for a myriad of reasons (gender, sexuality, appearance, skill and more) and again this can be attributed to many other occupations.
We have a societal problem, unfortunately, some referees only look upon this from their black shirt and white trim black socks point of view, but these issues are way beyond football, they just manifest in football as that's where we are involved.
TBF, you could change the word referee to many many other jobs/hobbies and potentially get a similar outcome.
There is a problem with referee abuse. But there is also a problem with abuse of paramedics, police, traffic wardens, customer service staff, I could probably go on.
I also think that some referees are more likely to be abused than others for a myriad of reasons (gender, sexuality, appearance, skill and more) and again this can be attributed to many other occupations.
We have a societal problem, unfortunately, some referees only look upon this from their black shirt and white trim black socks point of view, but these issues are way beyond football, they just manifest in football as that's where we are involved.
Sure I expect we've all come off games wondering why we bother, but for the majority of time for me at least it's either enjoyable or fulfilling and sometimes even both! Even when / especially when it's tough, it gives a feeling of being alive and involved I just don't get spectating, I'd rather still be playing at the level I now referee, but unfortunately that's not an option.
And while I'm at it, the contrast with rugby refereeing is not always what it's called out to be. I have a mate who has done both at a decent level. Two things he said stuck in my mind :
1. As a rugby referee, lots of times players call me sir, when it's obvious they really mean c**t. Whilst I don't want anyone calling me that, sometimes something more honest and direct is easier to deal with
2. Whilst no-one likes diving, there is infinitely more deliberate cheating in rugby. It's just they call it ****housery and laugh about it in the bar afterwards (Neil Back anyone ?)
And while I'm at it, the contrast with rugby refereeing is not always what it's called out to be. I have a mate who has done both at a decent level. Two things he said stuck in my mind :
1. As a rugby referee, lots of times players call me sir, when it's obvious they really mean c**t. Whilst I don't want anyone calling me that, sometimes something more honest and direct is easier to deal with
2. Whilst no-one likes diving, there is infinitely more deliberate cheating in rugby. It's just they call it ****housery and laugh about it in the bar afterwards (Neil Back anyone ?)
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