Monday 20 December 2010

Over-reaction or right on the money?

Why, in this day in age, would you consider becoming a referee? Abuse, threats and questions over your integrity are thrown about carelessly by those who have never experienced the role for themselves. Sitting in your armchair with the remote control at your side, those 10 different replays prove nothing over your ability to make that split second decision. Finally it has all became too much for Scotland’s officials, having announced a strike for this weekend’s matches.
 In my opinion, they have every right to do so and, if anything, it has come later than it could have. Those supporters who sit in their local proclaiming they are over-reacting should consider how they would feel in the same situation. If you received dog’s abuse during your working day would you be saying it’s alright, this is what I get paid to do? I realise there are differences, but referee’s are paid to officiate a game however this has recently become a thankless task, as their honour is brought into question every time a throw-in goes the wrong way.

Scapegoat Dougie McDonald

The crunch point of this issue is that the strike has stemmed from a correct decision. When Dougie McDonald conferred with his assistant on a cold afternoon at Tannadice, little did he know the furore he would be causing by giving the right decision. As a young footballer you are told the referee won’t change his mind, play on. Why? Why, if that referee realises he is wrong should he not reverse the decision. After all that is what every football fan wants isn’t it, the correct decision to be made. Mr Blatter has introduced 5th and 6th referees;

fans want technology, the point being to get the decision right. So how has it got to the stage where we have our officials refusing to go to games in fear of their safety off the pitch?
I think even the most staunch Celtic fan would agree that it was not a penalty, which makes the reaction it has caused even more baffling. I realise that the white lies that were told are unforgivable and has brought some of the criticism on themselves, but surely this shows the fear which the match officials currently have. Afraid to look as if they are favouring one team over another, this is going to leave Scotland with no up-and coming referees as they don’t want the hassle that comes with the job.
Scottish MP Pete Wishart has come out publicly and said "I seriously do think it would be in the interests of the game if they did declare which team they support. Yes, referees are entitled to support a team. They may support one of the two big teams. But when Rangers or Celtic come to McDiarmid Park I would like to know what teams these referees are supporting”. With all due respect, go back to making a mess of our country from your publically funded property than weighing into a debate that politics has no place in. Coming out with these comments just heaps more pressure on officials, and has contributed hugely to the upcoming strike.

Now being from the blue half of Glasgow I may be biased, in fact I am biased, but the handling of this by Neil Lennon has been inexcusable. As a relatively new manager, he should be learning his trade and going about his business quietly until he establishes himself as a manager. Sprinting 25 yards down the touchline is fine if you are Jose Mourinho taking Porto to Old Trafford, but a last minute winner against a team you should be beating, does that merit the celebrations? Dundee United manager Peter Houston called it “embarrassing”, and this is exactly my point. Lennon should have his players in the dressing room telling them, well done we got the 3 points, but the performance wasn't good enough. But no, he is running around for everyone to see like a child on Christmas morning after getting the toy he was after. All in all a little respect for the men in black wouldn’t go a miss, and taking a step back, maybe following the standards set by the aforementioned Houston and other senior managers like Craig Brown, Walter Smith, Jim Jefferies etc wouldn’t go a miss either.

Lennon’s behaviour has clearly rubbed off on his players as new Celtic signing Gary Hooper commented "We are one of the biggest teams in the world and everyone wants to beat us, all the teams. The referee wants to give a decision against us so he can say something after the game. I think all the big teams get it." Wait a minute Gary; you have been in the SPL a couple of months, is that long enough to make a judgement? Stick to doing what you do best which is scoring goals, rather than giving your two cents. This is exactly the kind of thing which has caused this eruption over the issue recently. Instead of a casual “I don’t think I can comment on that”, everyone wants their say and it has finally came to a head and referee’s have had enough.

I think everyone has at some point given a referee their, point of view shall we say. But change is needed before our game is tarnished forever. While not every decision will be correct, the referees are trying their best so before you are so quick to jump out of that armchair or plastic seat at the stadium, have a second thought and get behind your side rather than on the officials back. That Saturday afternoon you enjoy so much watching your team won’t be so enjoyable if the dreaded postponed announcement comes because the referee’s have finally had enough. Fortunately foreign officials will make sure that this weekend’s games go ahead.

Let’s just hope that an Israeli official isn’t a closet Rangers fan or our recent favourite word ‘conspiracy’ will be out in force again in Sunday’s papers.

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