The Referee

I spoke to a couple of Referee’s yesterday morning all of which had their games called off due to Warthogs on the pitch.  I was lucky and it was game on.  The pitch was actually quite firm before the game, however come the last 10 minutes it was rather heavy.

The first part of the first half went well a few free kicks and nothing of note to talk about.  The away side took the lead which was a sign for the home side to develop “United Syndrome” and every time I would give a decision they would on mass moan.  It didnt matter if it was a clear throw in, this was a queue for moans.  I was speaking to players, using the captain but couldnt find that credible caution to try and cut it out.  It seemed though that ever thing I gave in that last 15 minutes was high-profile and this wasnt really helped by a situation late in the first half.   The ball had been in the away team box and was cleared, next thing I hear is shouts of look at your lino his given a penalty.  I look across no flag and so carry on, to which the home side are going mad.   Play goes out for a throw in and the home side are saying the assistant had flagged for a penalty.  I look across and theres no further signal.  So I call the home captain across and explain when I have looked across there is no flag, so I can’t give whats not there.     I consider going across, but then if he does say theres a penalty I’m not going to bring play back.

As it transpires what has happened is this.  The attacker has pulled the defenders shirt, assistant flags and the ball is cleared.  He keeps the flag up until play has gone at which point he drops the flag.  Home team think he has given a penalty and so start appealing, I look across and there is no flag.  He see’s me look across and so puts the flag back up, then puts it down.   All very messy, but something to reflect on.

I was chuffed though with the advantage that I played for the equaliser in the first half.  Although shame the assessor missed it!   There was a caution as well a few minutes before half time for a player from the away side.  The same player had fouled an opponent 10 seconds before and so it was quite easy.

The second half was fairly uneventful until the last minute of stopage time.  Away team player gives away a free kick, ball comes in and the home team score to win the game 2-1.

The assessor made some interesting points.  He talked about my positioning at attacking free kicks.  Basically he didnt like it.  These are the same positions Ive taken up all season and had positives on. I think from what he was saying he felt I was to far towards my assistant and wanted me to more on the other side of the area.  This is fine, but the problem I find then is that you can leave a lot of the pushing uncovered and Ive been caught out here.  I tend to find If im closer to the bunch I have a better view and credibility to stamp out the holding.  To be fair though its something to consider.  Although he was positive about my corner positioning and how I was flexible and read the set pieces well.

The other area we talked about was the United syndrome and stopping it.   The best approach we came up with was to pick a player out, either first to speak or the inital offender.  Make a point with him and if the other plays continue then caution.  He felt I had tolerated too much.  To be fair he is probably right and thats something to consider and think about.