Refereeing Reality

Election fever eh? Seems we’ve all got it judging by the news coverage at the moment (although I checked my election this morning and it seemed fine). As promised last week here’s what I would do if elected Emperor of Respect. I’ve studied the approach of the three main parties and decided to go with the most suitable, for which you should read read ”easiest”, campaign style.

I have discounted the pregnant wife idea as utilised by the Conservatives. I admire the publicity they’ve generated with SamCam although I wrongly assumed this was a website I could use to view the conception. Feeling disappointed, and slighty grubby, by this anti-climax, I turned to the Lib Dem’s for guidance. Could they loan me Vince Cable I asked? Not outside the transfer window apparently. So I have instead shamelessly stolen the Labour pledge idea. Maybe you won’t agree with all my suggestions but feel free to comment below. That’s one of the key tenants of democracy. Just remember to leave your contact details so I can have you exiled (along with Chris Kamara) when the revolution comes.

It’s not the managers, players or even the F.A. that drive the game in this country. Like many other aspects of our life our perceptions are guided by the media. But the footballing authorities can make the broadcasters play along. This is why my plan doesn’t require, or even recommend, an improvement in refereeing although it should result in improved player behaviour which would make the man in the middle’s job a lot easier.

1. Education

There aren’t that many rule changes most years. Some subtle amendments perhaps and would they be so hard to keep up with? I’ve heard references to the “daylight” rule during matches this year. What hope have referee’s got when commentators peddle such outdated guidance? If you discount the money making pre-season tournaments, and really they should, what else do football journalists have to do during the summer break? It’s their version of the school holidays so should they not be given some rulebook related homework instead of spending the whole six weeks playing Call of Duty round Clive Tyldesley’s mum’s house.

2. Training

So now our intrepid pundits know the laws of the game. But it’s not that simple. These rules need to be implemented. Having come up through the professional game it’s unlikely that they’ve ever had to run the line just because they were the only substitute and no spectators volunteered. Take them out of their comfort zone and get them to spend some time officiating Sunday league football. Once you’ve had a 15 stone psychopathic centre-back (preferably still drunk from the night before) tell you what he’ll do if you don’t raise your flag for offside NOW is to truly know the nature of the beast.

3. Learning and earning

Up to now my suggestions have been no carrot and all stick. You might say “no Scholes and all Crouch”. But there is an incentive for the TV companies to buy in to our brave new world. An apprentice style reality show based upon our second pledge and using the tried-and-tested Apprentice model. A sure-fire ratings winner. Howard Webb to play the Alan Sugar role. “You’re OFF!” he could bark weekly at one unlucky pundit whose only crime will have been not to book a player for removing his shirt. Let’s call it “Who’s the winner in the black”. The whole time we’d be laughing at Paul Merson trying to keep up with play whilst learning that the whole of the ball needs to cross the line before it’s a throw-in.

4. Censorship

Controversial title eh? Well, let’s call it positive affirmation instead then. Hopefully by now our journalists will have a greater appreciation of the officiating roles. Maybe this will result in them being a little more understanding that the Assistant Referee does not have the benefit of 3 different slow motion replays before deciding if Craig Bellamy was offfside. If I was the F.A. I’d also be pushing TV and newspapers to grill managers on tactical questions rather than give them the easy option out.

Repeatedly asking whether the penalty/sending off/offside was the “turning point” is lazy, ineffectual journalism. Asking a manager whether they practice shirt-pulling during corner kick training is not disrespectful; it is offering a genuine insight into the professional game. A malicious foul, a sly elbow or a raking of the Achilles; all are performed in the knowledge that a match official might spot them. Yet they still happen and they are still unacceptable acts even if they escape punishment

Players (and coaches) need to take responsibility for their actions and if highlighting their errant ways costs them sponsorship deals then so be it.

5. Accreditation

The reward for complying with our plan would be to gain official F.A. Respect accreditation for that channel or newspaper. All major media companies would have to be suitably accredited before being invited to bid for broadcasting rights. Written journalism would be similarly reviewed allowing an official F.A. Respect Partner logo to be displayed; in effect a Kitemark of quality. Only official partners would be invited to the marquee events such as kit launches. No respectable media outlet would want to be left out in the cold so you’d expect take-up to be high.

The best match officials have always stood out from the herd because of the respect they have from players and coaching teams. Some of this will come from their decision making skills but no referee makes it to the top flight without having a good grasp of the fundamentals. Pierluigi Collina was much feted (and rightly so) but he was, like all of us, fallible – ask Everton fans about their match against Villareal in 2005. What marked him out was the authority he projected and the confidence that, whatever decision he made, he did so because he believed he was right.

If we can help project a more respectful portrayal of our officials in the media then perhaps they will feel more empowered. Confidence in them will rise creating a virtuous (centre) circle. You’ll note that election pledges aren’t the only New Labour trick I’ve picked up but if a little media spinning is for the greater good who are we to disagree?