I posted the following on a Supply league FB group that has been discussing the introduction of Sin Bins at Step 5 and 6 next season:
As a referee I see dissent being caused by 4 main things
1) bad decisions by the referee (yes it happens, sometimes we do get it wrong, but I'd still argue that in general our decision making accuracy is always far better than every player on the pitch throughout the course of the game). Often that causes a bubble up of anger or frustration that leads to dissent and cards. Every referee I know is their biggest critic, so when we do get it wrong, we analyze why we did and how we can make sure we don't do it again
2) "transference of blame" some players want to use the referee as a target to deflect blame from their own mistakes, that throw in on half way that may have taken a nick off the opponent, that leads to a goal, it's the referees fault, not the fault of the full back that subsequently got skinned or the 2 central defenders and goalkeeper that couldn't defend the cross into the box leading to the goal.
3) the tight decisions that we have to make, especially KMI'S. We get one look at it and give it as we see it. Even if you watch football on the TV you'll have some decisions where a group of "experts" can't agree on what the decision should be and in every game there are probably 2 or 3 instances like that, though some are more important than others.
4) players and managers not actually knowing the laws of the game. I've lost count of the number of times players have argued themselves into the book when they are completely incorrect in law. Examples:
A. it's hit his hand and he's gained an advantage (next season maybe, this season it's not a consideration)
B. You can't book me, I didn't swear at you - sorry pal the offence is "dissent by word or action"
C. You can't say " leave it" yep you can, it's only an offence if it's done to deliberately distract and opponent, in which case he's getting a card.
My personal view is that if players and managers spent more time on knowing the key laws (specifically law 12), then a lot of dissent would be wiped out, because there would be a clear understanding as to what the referee is looking at and penalizing. I'm pretty certain that active referees would be happy to come into clubs in pre season and spend some time with them to help build a greater level of understanding.
As for the whole double dissent, it depends on how quick you get the second yellow out. I've done it once and there was zero complaint. The player carried on long enough after clearly being told to go away that his team mates were telling him to shut up otherwise he was going to get sent off and when he carried on and I hit the 2nd Yellow and Red, his teammates were calling him the names for being so stupid.
