Round 3 of Local League Division 2, with two of the top three teams playing each other (for confidential purposes, Blues (Home) vs Yellows (Away)), at a local field, 'St Peters' Recreation Ground (again, anonymised for confidential purposes).
I have had history on this pitch, the last four games resulted in the following;
- Match 1 - Escorted from changing rooms, threatened several times
- Match 2 - Postponement due to the lines not being visible
- Match 3 - 2 dismissals to away team (suspected of being under the influence of drugs)
- Match 4 (Today) - 6 Yellows, 2 Reds and a Misconduct (All but one yellow card to the away team)
Focusing on today's game, the team is well known as a pain to referee. It is one of those teams that you can have excellent game, but will still walk off the field wondering what warranted their collective conduct.
The second half consisted of a end-to-end game, of which tempers flared, and at one point a mass confrontation occured (mostly handbags, of which I cautioned the main culprits); however the Away Manager punched a substitute, which escalated the situation. I removed him from the vicinity, to which he responded with "you're a f*****g useless c**t, no wonder you get assessed every week", before reiterating "f*****g c**t" (in addition, he returned to the vicinity at half time, apologies and asked whether he could return, which I denied). I felt I had a mixed first half (made excellent key decisions, but missed smaller fouls which escalated into more significant issues), and realised that I needed to tighten up second half to ensure I was on top of things.
Within the first 10 minutes of the second half, I cautioned the two main away culprits for dissent (10 & 7), and the home team managed to secure a 2-3 scoreline with 10 minutes to go. On the 88th minute, Yellow 7 delibarately tripped a player, making no attempt to play the ball, and I gave him a second caution, of which he responded "you useless c**t, you've never watched a game of football in your life". This then resulted in the aggressive approach from Yellow 12 who shouted "You are a two-bobbed c**t" twice. He provided false names twice, before I sent him off, and he said the same comment, before proceeding with "you're f*****g s**t, I'm going to bang you out after this game".
The game finished 2-3, and the Home Team stated that this happens every week against the Away Team. I moved towards the changing rooms and I was approach by Yellow 12 who said "You got bullied at school you did", you're f*****g s**t". I then got into the changing rooms, and whilst getting changed, the Yellow 12 appeared in the doorway and stated "You can understand why I'm frustrated Ref..." and I interrupted him, stated that the game was finished and will not be discussed further and he left the room. A minute later, the Away Manager appeared in the doorway and said "Seriously Dylan, in all honesty I think you need to give it up, because you were awful out there". I stated that I did not appreciate the disrespect he has shown and ordered him to leave, stating that all incidents would be recorded in the reports and do not warrant further discussion. He left by stating "You will never referee another game for us in your life" (considering they are local league Div 2, I found this relatively funny). I then left the changing rooms, and headed home. Interestingly, I found a Facebook Friend Request from a Yellow Sub once I got home (which I declined).
It is a shame, as the league is a fantastic league with excellent conduct, but is let down by a few teams.
A few points to open out the discussion;
I have had history on this pitch, the last four games resulted in the following;
- Match 1 - Escorted from changing rooms, threatened several times
- Match 2 - Postponement due to the lines not being visible
- Match 3 - 2 dismissals to away team (suspected of being under the influence of drugs)
- Match 4 (Today) - 6 Yellows, 2 Reds and a Misconduct (All but one yellow card to the away team)
Focusing on today's game, the team is well known as a pain to referee. It is one of those teams that you can have excellent game, but will still walk off the field wondering what warranted their collective conduct.
The second half consisted of a end-to-end game, of which tempers flared, and at one point a mass confrontation occured (mostly handbags, of which I cautioned the main culprits); however the Away Manager punched a substitute, which escalated the situation. I removed him from the vicinity, to which he responded with "you're a f*****g useless c**t, no wonder you get assessed every week", before reiterating "f*****g c**t" (in addition, he returned to the vicinity at half time, apologies and asked whether he could return, which I denied). I felt I had a mixed first half (made excellent key decisions, but missed smaller fouls which escalated into more significant issues), and realised that I needed to tighten up second half to ensure I was on top of things.
Within the first 10 minutes of the second half, I cautioned the two main away culprits for dissent (10 & 7), and the home team managed to secure a 2-3 scoreline with 10 minutes to go. On the 88th minute, Yellow 7 delibarately tripped a player, making no attempt to play the ball, and I gave him a second caution, of which he responded "you useless c**t, you've never watched a game of football in your life". This then resulted in the aggressive approach from Yellow 12 who shouted "You are a two-bobbed c**t" twice. He provided false names twice, before I sent him off, and he said the same comment, before proceeding with "you're f*****g s**t, I'm going to bang you out after this game".
The game finished 2-3, and the Home Team stated that this happens every week against the Away Team. I moved towards the changing rooms and I was approach by Yellow 12 who said "You got bullied at school you did", you're f*****g s**t". I then got into the changing rooms, and whilst getting changed, the Yellow 12 appeared in the doorway and stated "You can understand why I'm frustrated Ref..." and I interrupted him, stated that the game was finished and will not be discussed further and he left the room. A minute later, the Away Manager appeared in the doorway and said "Seriously Dylan, in all honesty I think you need to give it up, because you were awful out there". I stated that I did not appreciate the disrespect he has shown and ordered him to leave, stating that all incidents would be recorded in the reports and do not warrant further discussion. He left by stating "You will never referee another game for us in your life" (considering they are local league Div 2, I found this relatively funny). I then left the changing rooms, and headed home. Interestingly, I found a Facebook Friend Request from a Yellow Sub once I got home (which I declined).
It is a shame, as the league is a fantastic league with excellent conduct, but is let down by a few teams.
A few points to open out the discussion;
- How should I report each incident? (My thoughts are to write the initial reports, and separate misconducts for each altercation)
- When a team loses complete discipline, how do you change your game?
- I am planning to send a complaint report to the league to inform them of my dissatisfaction with their conduct. Should I undertake any further action?
- I obviously now have a reputation with this team. When I get them again (which I would like to), should I start the game as a new game, or start in a more authoritative manner than usual?
