I am devoting this week’s column to local waterpolo and specifically the referees in this sport. The main reason is that in the past days I was invited to a popular waterpolo TV programme and could not develop my arguments – on referees – to the full, and thus I do not want to be interpreted wrongly.

Even though we are still at the end of the preliminary round in the summer league, one is already hearing a lot of criticism directed towards the local waterpolo referees.

Being a referee myself, albeit in the game of basketball, I believe that through my experiences I can put forward my views, not so much on the rules and technicalities per se, but on matters such as attitude, common sense and psychology, especially when the waterpolo referees face similar things such as we do in basketball as regards the size of the top pool and refereeing the same people week in, week out.

It is a known fact that we, referees, will always generally be in the limelight amongst the losing team, even if the officiating would have been very good on the day. The referee is always an easy scapegoat for the poor loser but this cannot be taken always as the norm as referees, being human beings, are also liable to mistakes (I believe in genuine mistakes and will never accept mistakes done on purpose with some agenda on the mind).

Thus, I am definitely not suggesting that referees do not make mistakes. The truth is that we commit mistakes. I (and I expect all referees around the whole world) strive to have a perfect game, but this is impossible as it will never occur anywhere in this world.

We possess no innate understanding of events, no sort of x-ray vision or special objectivity which enables us to perform in other than a typically human manner. We are forced to make decisions (even a no-call decision by the referee is then taken by players, coaches and/or spectators as a decision of sorts!!) about events which are social in nature under the limitations of time (a decision in a fraction of a second) and under the pressures of contaminating influences. As a result, we, as referees, make the same errors of judgement that all humans make under these conditions.

Coming back to the local waterpolo league and the present pool of referees, I am of the opinion that there are elements within the same pool that are of a good standard. Obviously, as in everywhere in life, one cannot have an equal standard across the board as some elements have less ability and need to up their game and improve their attitude if they want to have more credibility.

In all openness I have to admit that there was some inconsistency across the games so far and this has to be attended to quickly so that the referees do not face unnecessary pressure. Obviously a referee has always to expect pressure (who is not ready for pressure should never make himself available for or expect to be nominated for the top games) but consistency is something that could be worked on through discussion and intelligence.

Players and coaches will get very frustrated if they are called for an infringement in one game and then everything goes on with no sanction in the next game.

However one cannot always point a bad finger at the referees as the players/coaches/club staff have also a lot of blame in the matter.

I am witnessing what I term a lot of disrespect shown towards the referees especially after decisions are taken during a game. I am not talking here of the consistent use, at times, of very audible foul language heard from the water as that is something that the referees should take a stand on across the board with no exceptions.

I am referring to signs and gestures which sometimes put to ridicule the same referee who happens to be only a couple of metres away and in sight. Just to cite an example I witnessed this week, a player being whistled for a major foul claps sarcastically towards the referee as he is leaving the pitch and continues to pass audible comments to the same official who happens to be a maximum two metres away from him but no further sanction is taken! If this is allowed then obviously the other players in the water and other players who happen to see this incident will do the same in the same or other games and there will be a multiplier effect with less respect towards the referees.

Another incident I commented about regards the end of the game procedures. If referees are being criticised, it makes no sense for the same referees to remain in full sight of the spectators when there is a possibility of an easy access to confined areas out of sight. This is pure common sense to avoid unnecessary trouble especially when referees will have to face the same club in the coming weeks.

Being a referee is no easy matter and only those who truly understand the job can comprehend this statement. Referees also need assistance to help them carry out their job well and the lack of police officers on the terraces in the past week is surely not good for the whole environment.

We, as referees, should never sacrifice our integrity for anyone. It is true that we are humans, and as such each one of us likes to be praised.

However we must, on the other hand, be aware that the players, committees and spectators are only interested in whistles and decisions which ultimately favour their team and go against their opponent. Each referee should not be fooled as the same players, committees and fans are watching the game with their hearts and not with their eyes.

The referee should learn quickly to call a game the same way, regardless of what the participants or fans desire.

As a referee, one can choose not to be offended. The referee should always keep telling to himself that the fans are yelling at the uniform and not at him even though there is a great diversity between understanding this concept and letting it become ingrained in your thinking.

It depends a lot upon one’s personality. I have met individuals who could have developed into good officials but then lacked the necessary personality to make the grade emotionally.

The emotional level is arguably the most difficult aspect of a game for a referee to control. Building a thick skin will help a referee to become better, yet it takes practice and sound psychological preparation to do so.

A saying I was taught since my early days as a referee is: “only those referees prepared to work under pressure will have a chance to rise to high levels.”