My pet hate at the moment is players who show dissent by making comments along the lines of "I know you're wrong! I'm a Referee!" This will be a caution every time as far as I'm concerned, even if the player's other comments are not as bad as other ones I've let go with a reprimand. As far as I'm concerned this is a player stating that he knows the LOTG better than I do in order to undermine my authority.
The first time I had a player state this was at the end of a feisty game about 5 years ago. I sent three players off, including the home captain for a disgraceful challenge.
The home team like to "put one in" on players they challenge, and on this occasion the challenge came from just behind side-on with two straight legs. The right foot played the ball while the left foot took the ball of the opponent's ankle very slightly after. The home manager (who is an animal!) shouted "great tackle!" He then shouted "what! That's not a free kick!" which rapidly changed to "you can't send him off for that!"
I was 5 yards behind the player who dived in and I know the contact was intentional from the way he went into it. (Not that intent matters, but the fact that he obviously intended to hurt the opponent made the challenge worse)
At the end of the game the away goalkeeper came up, initially to shake my hand. However, he then told me he thought it was harsh sending the other team's captain off! since "He played the ball first!" When I told him that didn't matter he then told me that he's a Referee and he knows I'm wrong. He then carried on, before I eventually told him to go away and check, but that the decision was right.
At the end of the season I had the divisional final between the same two teams. The GK wasn't playing on this occasion and since one of his mates was on the line came in to the dressing room before the game. He mentioned that there had been trouble in the game earlier in the season, including an awful challenge for which the captain had rightly been sent off! I reminded him that I knew because I'd done the game! He'd obviously either thought about it and come to the right decision himself or else had consulted someone else.
My point is (finally - sorry!) players are more frequently telling me that they're a Referee in order to justify them showing dissent. I've had two in the last two weeks. As stated above, I consider this to be a caution whatever else is said.
What do other people think and how do you react if this is said? Also, I know other people on this forum also play as well as reffing. If you think the ref has got it wrong, do you tell him - including the "I'm a Referee" part?
The first time I had a player state this was at the end of a feisty game about 5 years ago. I sent three players off, including the home captain for a disgraceful challenge.
The home team like to "put one in" on players they challenge, and on this occasion the challenge came from just behind side-on with two straight legs. The right foot played the ball while the left foot took the ball of the opponent's ankle very slightly after. The home manager (who is an animal!) shouted "great tackle!" He then shouted "what! That's not a free kick!" which rapidly changed to "you can't send him off for that!"
I was 5 yards behind the player who dived in and I know the contact was intentional from the way he went into it. (Not that intent matters, but the fact that he obviously intended to hurt the opponent made the challenge worse)
At the end of the game the away goalkeeper came up, initially to shake my hand. However, he then told me he thought it was harsh sending the other team's captain off! since "He played the ball first!" When I told him that didn't matter he then told me that he's a Referee and he knows I'm wrong. He then carried on, before I eventually told him to go away and check, but that the decision was right.
At the end of the season I had the divisional final between the same two teams. The GK wasn't playing on this occasion and since one of his mates was on the line came in to the dressing room before the game. He mentioned that there had been trouble in the game earlier in the season, including an awful challenge for which the captain had rightly been sent off! I reminded him that I knew because I'd done the game! He'd obviously either thought about it and come to the right decision himself or else had consulted someone else.
My point is (finally - sorry!) players are more frequently telling me that they're a Referee in order to justify them showing dissent. I've had two in the last two weeks. As stated above, I consider this to be a caution whatever else is said.
What do other people think and how do you react if this is said? Also, I know other people on this forum also play as well as reffing. If you think the ref has got it wrong, do you tell him - including the "I'm a Referee" part?
) of the game Mark. 
