IF we all made as many mistakes in our jobs as referees make in theirs we would all be sacked by now for gross incompetence.
But let me also say that they of course have a difficult and sometimes impossible task.
Whether we like it or not, football is now a business not just a sport and this places enormous importance on referees who are constantly required to perform at 100%. Anything to aid them in this task has to be a benefit.
Let us help the referees by easing their workload and take the examples of how the rugby referees now manage their roles.
We should put the soccer referee in the position of only having to concentrate on running the game and that means taking on pitch decisions along with the linesmen’s help. All time-keeping should be handled by the fourth official and the final whistle of each half should be blown by him rather than the referee, as in rugby league.
There should be a video referee but only to consult at the request of the on pitch referee and used only sparingly in important cases, disputed goals, bad fouls, etc. The referee’s decision should be final and overrule all others including the video referee. He must still be capable of good, on the spot, decision making and not rely on video evidence as possibly rugby referees are starting to do.
Hawk-Eye, or similar systems, are now proven and in good use in other sports (tennis and cricket) and can be used very quickly for judgements. Because winning is so important, many games are played defensively and the result often relies on one goal rather than larger scores, it is now imperative that decisions are correct and to embrace modern technology is a bonus not a threat - it is in all our everyday lives nowadays.
Some football referees are now microphoned up and, again - following the example set in rugby, I feel that the sound should be available publicly. Yes I know the current excuse for not airing the sound is because of the appalling language but heavy fines and punishments could stamp this out very quickly and maybe to the embarrassment of the players in the end. This again would give the referees more backup rather than being alone in the fracas of the many threatening and unpleasant situations they find themselves embroiled in.
The referees have, in a way, become alienated from the game both by the fans and by the players and many club officials. Yes, they have many faults - don’t we all - but if we in the game of soccer give them all the help we can to perform to the highest standard then they also become answerable for carrying out their role in the best possible manner.
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