Senior county local derby. Top of the table clash coming up, I have been appointed in the middle.
I know that one of the neutrally appointed ARs is absolutely hated by both teams for reasons that I won’t go into.
Is there any different way of approaching this game that you would do as a match referee to mitigate problems that it may cause?
Thanks
Other than advice already given, not much more to add.
Tell him to watch you, your actions/reactions to any potential incident and to take his time.
I only add the last part as I was assistant on my dads last ever game (he was middle). It was sunday league that, at the time, had enough refs to appoint ARs on premier level matches and sometimes division 1 as it were.
Didn't need junior/senior as such as each team was on either side of pitch, no benches so to speak.
However, the other AR had, in his own words, a really bad game with one of the teams the previous week and admitted they didn't like him. Yet, with a minute or so left of the match, that very team won a corner on his side of the pitch. Corner whipped in, and goal. From mine, and my dads, angles there were no issues. Yet as the team were celebrating what would have been the winner, hes raised his flag to signal an infringement. Dads not noticed, so ive flagged and highlighted. Then the scoring team notice. Keeper has ran the entire length of the pitch to headbutt the AR. He was sent off. AR completely surrounded. Eventually my dad got players away, spoke with AR who claimed he saw a push but couldnt say who done it.
My dad gave the goal but gave AR further instruction that when kick off occurs, the team was likely to go straight down my end to try equalise and in that time he will blow for full time. And he suggested to AR to leave before the whistle.
He did. And the winning team wanted him.
Anyway.. this is why I have, ever since, told any AR no surprised and to watch me. See what ive given throughout the game, see my tolerance. Try to match it. Unless its obvious and im completely out of position, don't put yourself in a position to be abused.
