There is too much onus and responsibility placed on a referee’s opinion and interpretation of the rules in today’s game. It’s now got to the stage where almost any decision that is made can find an excuse in the individual referee’s ‘interpretation’, and this set of circumstances is just not good enough. It’s disrespectful to the effort and time given by players, coaches, administrators and the referees themselves. Something has to change.
You only need look at the assistant referee’s requirements on the off-side rule. There is far too much latitude in the interpretation of the rules and this is leading to dissatisfaction and resentment with referees, the rules and the game as a whole. Matters are even worse here in this State as many junior referees are ‘gaining experience’ in the role. But, it is too much to expect for kids to perform under the kind of pressures evident at any Premier League game.
My recent post on the topic of the off-side rule clearly lays out why the offside law is so problematic. It allows a player to be in an offside position as long as he/she is not interfering with play. Well, from my perspective, any player who is on the park is interfering with play. If they are not physically interfering, then they certainly are psychologically, and if they aren’t, my players aren’t doing the job they are required to do.
With the ‘interpretation’ ruling now in place, a referee is capable of getting away with anything and this leaves the game open to ‘fixing’, or at least ‘influencing’. Don’t think for a minute I’m suggesting referees or clubs are crooked, but the game should not be placed in a position where doubts about such matters can be created.
Players ‘diving’ or feigning injury to achieve an advantage is also another area that needs urgent attention. The antics of Drogba, Robben, Ronaldo, Henry, Gerrard and numerous others have become an embarrassment to the game. I would like to see referees have the intestinal fortitude to refuse free-kick appeals if there is even the slightest doubt that it may not be genuine. Okay, there will be some free kicks that may not be awarded, but within a few weeks, players are going to think it is just not worth the theatrics. The big drawback to ‘blatant’ dives will be instant dismissal and a further 1-2 week ban.
Likewise, the handball rule is now patently ridiculous. It has become a catch call around grounds now to hear players bleating (and I make no apology for using this terminology because they are starting to sound like sheep) about handball whenever a ball goes even close to a hand/arm/shoulder and this behaviour is patently stupid. I would even go as far as to say that it is a form of cheating and is bringing the game into disrepute. A player whose arm is by their side, or who is in a ‘natural position’ for their attempt to play a ball, and who makes no attempt to play the ball with their hand/arm, should not be penalised as there is no ‘intention’ of trying to play the ball with the hand. The same should be said for the player who has a ball kicked into their body and which also strikes the arm or hand. In this case, the call should be made “No intention, play on”. No call leaves the referee open to a barrage of pleading, bleating players calling for a hand-ball.
Action is required to address these areas, and with some urgency, too.
