Remembrance Day

[Refollie]

In the leagues I predominantly referee on, a directive is sent round this time of year reminding referees to hold a minute’s silence to mark Remembrance Day this weekend.

I am not refereeing on my usual leagues this Saturday and based on how it is run (general poor administration), I imagine such a message will not be circulated.

My intention is to let my home and away team know in my confirmation email that I intend to hold a minute’s silence before kick off and that anyone who wishes to join is welcome.

Would you handle this any differently/not get involved? It is important to me but also understand that is not for everyone and I would not hold it against anyone (on a refereeing level) if they did not take part.

 

[CaptainsPlease]

On the weekend Remembrance Sunday falls, at least where I am based it is expected to hold a minute's silence before any matches and it almost goes without saying. The league I mainly ref on will issue a reminder to referees that all matches should observe a silence and I would simply remind the teams when I turned up that there would be a minute's silence held.

If I was a referee that did not want to participate in any gestures of Remembrance I would probably avoid refereeing on that weekend to avoid any potential offence being caused.

If no competition directive I would still hold the silence unless it was against the wishes of both teams.

 

[RustyRef]

As a referee, for any period of silence (or applause) before a game you can only suggest, you can't enforce. Even if the competition says it should be done, if one or both clubs don't agree all you can do it report it to them.