Refereeing, as many other things in life and something no one could rely deny, rotates immensely around effective teamwork.
A referee, whatever sport he officiates (especially team sports), should be able to connect and associate himself positively and thus ‘click’ easily with other colleagues. For example, one should try hard to avoid instances where there is lack of trust or, worse still, hatred between colleagues as the immediate consequences would be that the future can be nothing but tough, if not practically impossible.
As many other referees can also state similar things as I have experienced, I have met many retired (or about to retire) referees who openly state that the thing they miss the most is the fraternity and so-called camaraderie and companionship with other fellow referees and colleagues.
I guess many other fellow referees will agree with me if I say that as a result of joining the refereeing community, one finds that a number of the fellow referees will become some of the best friends and some (especially those with the same mindset and aptitude towards the game and the way one carries out the refereeing duties) may also remain so for a good number of years, if not for life.
According to observations and studies by competent people abroad, results have generally shown that if a referee is not a likeable person, arrogant, snobbish and with a sort of attitude that he seems or project himself to know everything, it is quite difficult that he will have the maximum success in refereeing.
I, after reading a number of professional articles and listening to a number of ‘referee’ lectures, may put more relevance to this statement by reminding people that refereeing is quite a humbling experience where one could make mistakes.
As I have already stated many times in past articles, if a referee has a hard time to accept constructive criticism, it is better that he might not even have thought about becoming a referee in the first place. I repeat however, one important factor in the last sentence, constructive criticism and not destructive criticism.
I have to emphasise the term constructive criticism. Unfortunately, even in Malta, one sees and hears a number of media programmes and articles which are nothing but destructive in their criticism toward the referees due possibly also to some hidden agenda or in the search to create (or better still, to market) a controversy which could lead to a greater audience.
As a referee, I have to accept that the referee’s role is open to public scrutiny and constructive criticism since the same referee, in essence, is a public figure. Yet ‘analysts’ (the real professional ones and even those who try to be, but will never reach that level) have to always remember the delicacy of the referee’s role, especially when decisions (both whistle or no-whistle decisions) have to be taken in a split-second, at ground level, surrounded by players, sometimes with less than 100% clear open vision and whilst in movement.
This contrasts sharply with trying to come up with a conclusion (which at times is or could never be arrived at) sitting comfortably on a chair, relaxed and after seeing the action for a number of times, possibly even at a very slow speed and frame by frame.
The latter things happen all over the world. Honest persons can ultimately notice how difficult it is for the referee to take certain decisions in the course of a game. Honest persons will also have a proof that referees have to be very prepared over the years (technically, physiologically and psychologically) in order to be fast and as correct as possible in their game decisions.
From this column I must acknowledge the undeniable truth that mistakes may be made by referees. It would be extremely foolish to assert that referees are perfect. After all, even if it were the case, no one would believe me. A statement (made by a good number of referee tutors) I would gladly repeat to anybody who resorts to destructive criticism towards referees would be “If you are correct and the referee really missed it (or made a wrong decision), I will bet you he feels very miserable about it right now.”
Coming back to referee’s teamwork, it is no secret that one’s refereeing status can improve if he is a team player and has many colleagues on his side. It is usually natural for human beings to spread word fast and this will or should (because sometimes there are more factors involved) ultimately lead to the nominations officer getting to know all about it.
A referee must treat everyone with respect and in a professional way.
One thing any referee should never do is to embarrass a fellow referee during a game. In my game basketball, this situation can occur when, for example, a referee agrees with a coach when the same coach criticizes the other referee
In all honesty I believe that one of the best ways to get someone on your side is to support him from start to finish at 100 per cent during a game. If there were any unclear situations or incidents, the referee can discuss them openly with his colleague/s in the confidentiality and privacy of the dressing room.
To conclude I want to repeat a fact that cannot be denied. During the game, the refereeing crew has to be a team. A word of warning to beginner referees: the supporters, players, coaches and team officials only like a referee when the whistle is blown in their favour. If they happen to applaud and cheer, the latter is definitely not directed at the referee.