The Anders Frisk affair highlighted an unfortunate trend of bad behaviour directed towards referees and game officials. This seems to be developing, albeit in a different way, in many countries.
We, as referees, must do something to send a clear signal that such behaviour will not be tolerated and we need to do so for two major reasons.
First, the people who give their time and energy to referee not only deserve collective respect, they must have complete confidence that they will be able to carry out their responsibilities in a safe environment. Without this confidence, we will, without doubt, lose the ‘best and brightest’ elements in the refereeing fraternity.
Secondly, as a society as a whole, we need to act on our belief that respect for authority, whether one agrees or not, is critical for the population to live, work and spend leisure time together. In this regard, I believe that sports could be a source of inspiration or guiding light, highlighting positive accomplishments and the need for sportsmanship and fair play.
In most cases, attacks occur from overzealous players, coaches and/or spectators on the stands who have lost perspective of what sport games are about and additionally have emotionally decided to ‘take matters into their own hands.’
Sometimes no real physical security exists or else is non-operative in the real sense of the word and referees are subsequently placed in a dangerous situation because they must, faced by such a non-ideal environment, maintain as much as possible a calm appearance that protects thee integrity of the sport, the organization that utilizes their services (i.e. the sport federation or association) and the refereeing profession itself.
If players spot any weaknesses in the referee, experience has taught me that they will be very quick to try and exploit this to their advantage. It is therefore important for referees to try to project and maintain a good sense of authority.
In fact, thinking on these terms I remember once reading a saying that goes: ‘the greater the aura the referee can build around himself, the less trouble he will have.”
The referee will need to project an authoritative stance at the same time as trying to have a sense of humuor. It is a difficult thing to do (especially in a country like ours where many, unfortunately, were brought up in a flawed school of thought thinking that a smile by a referee is a sign of mockery), but players must get the message that the referee will not be easily intimidated by their bad behaviour. Technically I think that in order to be convincing, the referee will need to officiate in a manner dictated by a good knowledge of the rules and their interpretation.
The reaction of the team players, substitutes, managers and spectators as well as how the referee himself feels on the day, will also effect how and whether the latter’s authority will be accepted or not.
One of the greatest problems for the modern referee is how to control the amount (and harshness) of dissent shown towards him. Although experts agree that it is impossible to act on all cases of dissent shown on the field of play, the referee will need to use his innate and taught man-management skills to control any growing dissent. A referee who ignores dissent will undoubtedly be placing himself in further trouble.
After all, the referee is never going to please everyone but can do a lot to help him avoid and minimize trouble.
Unfair simulation from players, pulling of shirts, excessive and unnecessary contact, any verbal antagonizing and unsporting behaviour are all areas that, if minimized, can actually result in the referee having more control of the game and thereby lessening considerably the chance of trouble coming his way. Players will not be too happy (and rightfully might feel cheated) if the referee lets one team ‘get away’ with any acts of gamesmanship.
Team officials can also be a source of problems during a game. The referee will need to learn how to balance ‘turning a deaf ear’ with ‘wielding a big stick’ in regard to behaviour from the sidelines.
In this sense, at times a simple quiet word with the coach or bench personnel may save further trouble. However the referee should not forget that the occupants of the technical area are supposed to behave in a proper manner. In real life, this does not always happen.
On a positive side, a good rapport may be built (speaking from a personal viewpoint, I can easily state that abroad this was much easier as coaches and staff are much more knowledgeable of the need of harmony between all the game participants, despite definitely facing much more pressure to do well and whilst leading teams which have been built up with large monetary budgets) between the referee and the technical area. Basically, retaining a sense of humour is permitted when the situation warrants it, but only when the occupants are behaving themselves.
It is quite normal that a great deal of argument may develop following the end of a game. This is the time when players, coaches and spectators tend to vent their frustration towards the referee. The referees/assistants should meet together as soon as possible after the final whistle is blown. This procedure is not done for ‘show’, but to increase their protection as a team should matters boil over.
When a team loses a game, it is normally a time to try to place a fault on the referee. There will always be the odd ‘moan or two’ about decisions made on the field of play yet most of these should be just ignored. Notwithstanding this, the referee has a duty to observe and report any misdemeanor occurring after a game has ended. It is the referee’s duty to report all misconduct.
If the behaviour of those who cross the line goes unpunished, then the number of referees refereeing the games will continue to decline. Many now wonder if it is all worth it. I still believe the answer is still ‘yes’ (even though I sometimes have my own reservations especially on how things develop in the local field) because sports needs the impartiality of the referee. Sport still needs referees to ensure that events are conducted safely and fair.
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