The Referee

I was asked on Saturday before the game the following question.  

“Why now do Assessor’s come into the changing room before the game?”

The answer to this question is quite simple.  The FA want more openness and more of a team worth ethos between the Match Officials and the Assessor. 

You see way back in the old days when I first started.  Theory was first you knew of an assessments was when you got the report through the post.  Reality was where I first started I knew every assessor in my small area and would end up talking to them before, after and half time.   However as I progressed into Leicestershire and to Level 4 this was less the case.  You would find out afterwards but that was all.

This was until 2 years ago when they were expected to contact you the night before and meet you before the game.  Some would listen to pre match instructions some wouldn’t.

The case the person was putting forwards was that if the Referee knew that the assessor was there, instead of managing a decision they would perhaps issue a card as they were under scrutiny.  I argued that you didn’t have time to do think what they want and only act within the game.

This sparked a well meant debate between the assessor and the individual.   However it was at a time when I really didn’t have the time to be getting into it. 

  It was no coincidence I’m sure that this same individual was asked to leave the technical area and his comment was that I only did this because the assessor was there……..