Ted Blog post: One match after another 2021-08-23
Photo: Linn Ahlex, @ahlexoffside at instagram
One match after another
August is coming to an end and in the divisions where I referee, even though I live in southern Sweden, you start to feel a little cooler evenings and that the evenings are getting darker, faster. Autumn is slowly but surely beginning to make itself reminded. And the season, with single series, has just begun. Strange. Strange feeling.
On the other hand, a lot of matches and at the moment I have mostly head referee in men division 4 and 5. It has been quite whiny matches and focus on the wrong things. In my opinion, the players in these divisions have bad rule knowledge. I like to coach and explain a situation or why I do not take a freekick for handball - but there is still a limit. As a referee, you should not and do not have the time to explain everything you do throughout the match. I think two things have been distinctive this season. Hands and dangerous tackles. Every single (okay, not every single, but many) situation, the players shout because they want hands or because they think it's a dangerous tackle. I do not know if it comes from football on TV where the referees have started to be tougher in dangerous tackles. If there is excessive force or risk to a player's safety - then it is a dangerous tackle. A nice tackle/slide tackle still exist. At the same time, there is also a difference between a hard tackle and a hard tackle. Hard but nice, that's how football should be, I think. If it crosses a line and it’s getting dangerous, that's when a referee should go in, and then we'll go to the shadows again. And with handball, the long discussion we do not even go into today. The rules for hands are clearer for us referees, but hands are still a matter of judgement and there is a risk that referees do different. Well, the players have to accept that. If I think it's handball, I promise I will use my whistle and take a penalty or a freekick, or whatever.
What do you do with 22 whiny and angry players in a division 5 match then? Try to pick up 22 yellow cards… or not. You have to have a high level of tolerance and take the few players who are the worst. Above all, you must try to prevent it. I always nag about that. Sometimes you succeed, sometimes you don't. It is probably when you do not succeed and you as a referee feel that "what should I do…" that you end up in an ungrateful situation. A couple of times I have actually, quite honestly, thought the thought "why am I doing this". Fortunately, that thought disappears quickly and is overshadowed by the fact that I love football and like to be a referee - right now.
As a referee, I really understand the players. I'm basically a player myself! I understand that someone gets angry. I understand that you get hurt. And I understand that you have an opinion about a missed penalty, from the player's eyes. I might see something completely different that becomes a filming or nothing at all. But… why can't more players understand us referees?
After matches two weeks in a row, I have had some players who calmly and nicely wanted to discuss a decision after the match. If you do that, that way, I'm compliant. However, I usually explain and say that I listen to you and respect you. Then you do the same with me - then we can talk. Said and done, I listen and listen. Then it's my turn, but no one is listening. Then I explained that "No, we did not say this and now no one listens to me so then we end the discussion". Are you with me? Is it so hard to have a mutual respect?
Enough about this. A compliment to ALL referees out there regardless of level. What a fucking job we do! Many in my referee club average upwards 4-5 matches per week to get the autumn season together. What if a player had played 4 games per week - what a whine huh?
Now I aim for two new matches this week as head referee and hope for more focus on football. In conclusion, god what fun with matches on TV again. That all leagues have started. If you are idle one evening, there are always matches to watch. Unfortunately, I rarely sit idle, but sometimes i do.