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REFEREE ABUSE: SOCCER’S CULTURALLY ACCEPTED DISRESPECT FOR REFEREES.

 

Photo/Stafford Ondego/Sportpicha

Pathetic, cheat, useless and controversy are buzz terminologies associated with football referees. So, why has disrespect to referees? Perhaps, it’s an unwritten rule accepted in football?

Officiating sports, precisely soccer in Kenya can be nerve-racking. Rarely do officials get applauded by fans for making the right decision.People start officiating knowing that they’ll enjoy-but later they hate it.Referees give up their weekends to ensure that football matches countrywide take place. They are sworn at and berated as they attempt to shake hands (in good faith) of the people who’ve spent the last 90 minutes making their lives hell. Fearing another 90 minutes of referee abuse each weekend is slowly leading to attrition of this ‘rare species’

Last year Kenyan referee John Chang’aa Okwoyo was killed by a football fan for wrongly flagging a ‘controversial’ foul that resulted to a penalty during Mashinani football tournament between Ichuni Youth and Aspire F.C in Kisii.This epitomizes the contempt that soccer has tolerated in the game

Candidly, football is a lovely sport, but until coaches, players and spectators handle match officials like human beings, it’ll be a charming sport with an obnoxious appearance. Many referees are quitting every year and I don’t blame them. Who in their correct senses would want to spare their time to be handled this way? Officials hold the game on their hands, they can roll the results in their favor to appease their souls. There are quick decisions that can be tough for a referee to make if they feel they’re disrespected during the match. Disrespect of referees can have dismal effects than possibly realized

Sundry, coaches and spectators focus on the negatives instead of the positives displayed by the referee-a reflection of the ‘blame game’ in our societal organization. We have seen many post-match interviews where coaches blame the referee for the match result.

Respecting referees is a tune that the coach regulates. Players and fans pick up on it. Respect brings fairness and fun in football. Without respect for match officials, soccer lacks the integrity to impart skills like respect, empathy and compassion to the participants. When football coaches exhibit respect for referees, it offers players and fans a chance to observe and practice compassion for others. Best coaches redefine what success is by focusing on what players learn during the match and identifying effort as part of winning. If coaches won’t teach their players and spectators respect, relations with the referees may soon be barbaric

Nigel Owens, a distinguished rugby referee is famous for using the expression “This is not soccer” when met with dissent from players. In rugby, respect given to referees is commendable. Hardly ever are referees surrounded by players after making a decision .Perhaps, a conduct football should borrow from rugby.

Although fans, players and coaches may hate referees for making decisions contrary to their wishes, fair football contests cannot exist without them.

With respect should be the sole language that players, coaches and fans treat referees with. Perhaps, introduction of sin bin should be considered in soccer to deter reckless conduct by players towards referees. Would 10 minutes sin bin be effective in ensuring players uphold respect to the referee? When mutual respect reigns, the referee is better to give his or her grade A in deciding a fair contest.

It is high time football administrators contemplate the pressure that’s constantly put on referees that leads them to make mistakes. Why is it fair for soccer match officials to be verbally abused or physically assaulted?

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