Adver News: Ward urges referees to open up

[News Monkey]

Ward urges referees to open up
           
           


  BACKCHAT in the professional game will go on the decline as referees become more communicative with the players.

           

http://www.thisisswindontownfc.co.uk/news/headlines/10704451.Ward_urges_referees_to_open_up/?ref=rss
           
           
           

[RWB Robin]

Good points made by Darren, particularly comparison with rugby, where referees work with players much more. Trouble is there is a culture thing in football....refs are often young, failed footballers who feel the need to strut their stuff, and the backchat from players only feeds that tendency.  Did anyone notice the hectoring lecture Mark Cooper was getting from the 4th official last saturday, which was really pissing Mark off. You could see very clearly a little man relishing his snese of power.  I agree that it will take a generation to change, and the change has to come on both sides....and you do see some of the top refs talking much more before resorting to cards these days.

[Ardiles]

Not suggesting for a second that rugby has all the answers, but there are definitely aspects of the way ddiscipline is enforced that football could learn from.  One development I would like to see copied is the way refs summon either or both team captains for a quiet word when necessary...which also reinforces the standing of the team captains as being responsible for the conduct of the players on their side.

[Samdy Gray]

And only being able to call the referee 'Sir', not 'you fucking blind cunt'. I think football could definitely learn from that one.