The Ref Stop

Couldn't believe my eyes

Howard the moonhead pleb

Howard the moonhead pleb

Member
Level 7 Referee
Sunday just gone my game had finished and their was a league game on the adjacent pitch to mine. I knew both the teams as they play in the league set up I officiate in. I began to watch the game With 30 mins remaining
Player deliberately denies goal scoring opportunity by use of hand on the goal line referee awards penalty but doesn't send the guy off, the amount of abuse the referee got for not carrying out he's correct duties, he then sent off 2 players and booked 4 in the resulting fall put before the penalty was taken. All cautions sending off to the team who were awarded the penalty.

The referee lost all respect from both teams instantly and I couldn't believe what I was witnessing.

As I know players on both the teams and was standing on the sideline I found it very hard to say anything when some players came up to me in disbelief during and after the game.

My referee secretary rang me up asking if I saw the incident as I was on an adjacent pitch and I didn't lie and told the truth. Both teams marked the referee down between the 1-10 marks so had to write a report

Since found out that the ref has a history of making such decisions.

Poor very poor
 
The Ref Stop
Oh dear. Should know better. Rather than send off one correctly, he ends up dishing out a ton of unnecessary cards....

Okay his lack of balls is not an excuse for the following behaviour, but....

Good on you for not just sweeping it under the carpet.
 
I was asked about it and I was just honest, I didn't say anything to players and spectators about he's decisions and I wouldn't put another ref or criticise another ref to joe public
 
Very difficult position you were in, but well done for doing the right thing. I am often asked about past decisions by teams and the coaches, one from the other week, where the Ref apparantly blew for handball by the keeper outside the box, but gave a penalty for it. All I could say was that perhaps he had seen a different infringement, and that I wasn't comfortable taking about another ref without having seen the incident.

Another one at a game I was watching, seconds before half-time ref gives a direct free-kick, takes a bit of time before kick is taken, but it swings into the box, comfy catch for keeper. Ref puts whistle to lips for time, when keeper drops ball and striker slams it home just as whistle is blown. Ref discounts the goal, saying time was up before ball crossed the line. I am standing near the AR, who says he had time up when the FK was given. This was a tournie where time wasn't supposed to be added, and the ARs watch would have been within a second or two of the ref's.

Team that had goal disallowed went on to lose 1-0 with last-minute winner in extra time.

This was the final of a national tournament, I had removed myself from the officials list as I knew a few of the boys in the team that ended up losing, I had coached them at club last year and felt that it would put me, and my organisation in a difficult position should there be any tough decisions made and questioned afterwards. I am now, whenever I see them, or their parents, questioned about the decision. All I can answer is that yes, the referee was correct in Law if time was up before the ball crossed the line. But there's a bunch of 11-13 year olds, and their parents who now believe that the ref has 'done them out of' the national title and I am the one who sees them regularly!

Another one last week, my wife works with a woman who's son plays in his local, federation u13s team. Doing very well, with a chance to win the title, one game left I think. Last Saturday they were playing another of the title contenders. Wife phones me from work, and says "Do you know a ref called 'Dodwell, or Caldwell' or something like that.?" Yes, says I, it's ##### I know him quite well. "Oh, he caused a bit of controversy on Saturday - apparantly, at 0-0 in the last few minutes, balls gone out of play. Ref signals white ball and calls 'White ball'. Red player picks it up and throws it in to one of his forwards who goes on and scores. White defenders were positioned for their throw, and ref let goal stand. They lost 1-0 and other team went top. He even apologised afterwards!!!"

All i could say was 'Oh dear!'

I now have a policy where I don't comment on a refereeing decision if I happen to know the referee.
 
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