This is the first incident I have had in my short referee career. Let me also add that it hasnt put me off refereeing one bit.
so, under 8's (remember that at the end), cup semi final in a local summer league. All the way through the game the blue team manager appeals for everything. he appealled that much that in the end i think he was appealing for the other team as well! half way through the second half the ball goes out for a throw in. With his team 3-2 down (baring in mind both blues goals had come from advantages) a parent comes on to the field of play and starts talking to his son. i blew the whistle and told him to get off the pitch as to which he said "this is your fault". quite what was my fault i'm not sure.... i never asked him to come on to the pitch! anyway as he went off the pitch he points in my face so I said to him "dont talk to my like i'm an idiot, get off the pitch"
Team loses 3-2... at the end of the game the blue manager shakes my hand and tells me how bad i was... 3 parents then enterred the field shook my hand and again told me how bad i was... thats fine i can take that i'm a big boy so that's like water off a ducks back.... likewise as i collect the flag from the red team they shake hands and say good game ref you managed that well etc.
It is what happened after it that i can not believe someone would do at a match for 8 years olds!
The losing blue manager than calls me over asking can he have a word. Yes i reply and happily listen to what he has to say. The manager had a little moan about missing pushes etc and then clames i swore infront of children. I called a league official over so that nothing i said could be twisted. i said i may of missed pushes and many more things for both teams but never accuse me of swearing infront of 8 year old children. i then make my way to the portacabin to get changed and give the results to the lady. As im in the portacabin the parent who had earlier enterred the field uninvited comes along with his 8 year old son and also in clear view of 6 pitches of children ranging from 7 to 10 years old walks towards the portacabin and shouts "come out here you" i then replied "If you want to talk to me you can say what you have to say infront of everyone" the gentleman (loose terms) then proceeded to 'square up' to me telling me he was "going to punch my head in". he then proceeded to push me in the chest with both hands.
I don't know if he thought i was going to bottle it and cower away but with all due respect i'm a scouser and i wont back down from anyone.... now i certainly wouldnt fight a) infront of children and b) in a referees kit, but i also wont cower away from someone pushing me. i then told the man to go away and i will be reporting him to the county FA. he backed down as he realised his push hadnt affected me in any way. He then wouldnt tell me his name but decided to tell league officials who had stepped in that i am a "terrible referee" and that i "should not do this job".
well the winning team thought i was great... and he never accused me of being bias so i must of been equally as good/bad from both teams
Yes i probably didnt help the situation by not walking away into the back of the portacabin out of the way but i certainly wasnt going to allow someone to think i was scared of a push or that his behaviour was acceptable. never mind infront of children
ps im ready for you all to tell me off for not hiding away somewhere! sorry guys!
so, under 8's (remember that at the end), cup semi final in a local summer league. All the way through the game the blue team manager appeals for everything. he appealled that much that in the end i think he was appealing for the other team as well! half way through the second half the ball goes out for a throw in. With his team 3-2 down (baring in mind both blues goals had come from advantages) a parent comes on to the field of play and starts talking to his son. i blew the whistle and told him to get off the pitch as to which he said "this is your fault". quite what was my fault i'm not sure.... i never asked him to come on to the pitch! anyway as he went off the pitch he points in my face so I said to him "dont talk to my like i'm an idiot, get off the pitch"
Team loses 3-2... at the end of the game the blue manager shakes my hand and tells me how bad i was... 3 parents then enterred the field shook my hand and again told me how bad i was... thats fine i can take that i'm a big boy so that's like water off a ducks back.... likewise as i collect the flag from the red team they shake hands and say good game ref you managed that well etc.
It is what happened after it that i can not believe someone would do at a match for 8 years olds!
The losing blue manager than calls me over asking can he have a word. Yes i reply and happily listen to what he has to say. The manager had a little moan about missing pushes etc and then clames i swore infront of children. I called a league official over so that nothing i said could be twisted. i said i may of missed pushes and many more things for both teams but never accuse me of swearing infront of 8 year old children. i then make my way to the portacabin to get changed and give the results to the lady. As im in the portacabin the parent who had earlier enterred the field uninvited comes along with his 8 year old son and also in clear view of 6 pitches of children ranging from 7 to 10 years old walks towards the portacabin and shouts "come out here you" i then replied "If you want to talk to me you can say what you have to say infront of everyone" the gentleman (loose terms) then proceeded to 'square up' to me telling me he was "going to punch my head in". he then proceeded to push me in the chest with both hands.
I don't know if he thought i was going to bottle it and cower away but with all due respect i'm a scouser and i wont back down from anyone.... now i certainly wouldnt fight a) infront of children and b) in a referees kit, but i also wont cower away from someone pushing me. i then told the man to go away and i will be reporting him to the county FA. he backed down as he realised his push hadnt affected me in any way. He then wouldnt tell me his name but decided to tell league officials who had stepped in that i am a "terrible referee" and that i "should not do this job".
well the winning team thought i was great... and he never accused me of being bias so i must of been equally as good/bad from both teams
Yes i probably didnt help the situation by not walking away into the back of the portacabin out of the way but i certainly wasnt going to allow someone to think i was scared of a push or that his behaviour was acceptable. never mind infront of children
ps im ready for you all to tell me off for not hiding away somewhere! sorry guys!
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