Players and refs

[Cappers]

Just watched the West Ham Everton game, and even the slightest decision made by the ref, the players openly question it show descent, act like schoolbys and throw their toys out the pram etc, etc. Surely the FA need to do something to stamp this total disregard and lack of respect to authority. In any other industry it would not be tolerated to any length and you would probably be fired.
The FA are almost condoning it by not doing anything to stamp it out. If it was a yellow card offence to show any sign of descent, similar to the Ricky Pontin situation, it would soon be stamped out. So why dont they? OK it has been said it would end up 8 vs 7 by the end of the game, but the message will soon get across to the players. Its been like it for years, but why should it be? There are not really any other sports where this happens.
Rant over > Any thoughts?

 

[Lush]

Another of the many reasons why I've stopped watching the Premiershite. Couldn't even tell you who the top three are.

 

[Cappers]

makes me think about doing it, but need to justify my sky subscription

 

[strings]

The FA need to enforce Rugby Union style rules with regards to approaching officials.

At the start of the season I was watching a Sunday league match with an old bloke running the lines. This guy must have been in his 70s. Anyway, he made a couple of decisions that one of the players obviously disagreed with and all of a sudden this player was up in the old guys face shouting and trying to physically intimidate him (squaring up to him, with no actual contact). It made me wonder why this bloke gave up his time to enable such a twat to carry out his hobby - with no ref and linesman there is no game - simple. In my opinion, if the FA don't crack down on ill discipline in the Premier League and Football league, it will destroy the game at grassroots level. Ill discipline filters down from the top.

 

[Cappers]

The FA need to enforce Rugby Union style rules with regards to approaching officials.

At the start of the season I was watching a Sunday league match with an old bloke running the lines. This guy must have been in his 70s. Anyway, he made a couple of decisions that one of the players obviously disagreed with and all of a sudden this player was up in the old guys face shouting and trying to physically intimidate him (squaring up to him, with no actual contact). It made me wonder why this bloke gave up his time to enable such a twat to carry out his hobby - with no ref and linesman there is no game - simple. In my opinion, if the FA don't crack down on ill discipline in the Premier League and Football league, it will destroy the game at grassroots level. Ill discipline filters down from the top.

Precisely one of the reasons I gave up playing also.

 

[Grendel]

If it was a yellow card offence to show any sign of descent, similar to the Ricky Pontin situation, it would soon be stamped out. So why dont they?

It is. The laws of the game state that:

A player is cautioned and shown the yellow card if he commits any of the
following seven offences:
• unsporting behaviour
• dissent by word or action

Furthermore, you can be sent off for:

using offensive, insulting or abusive language and/or gestures

Although the actions of some players in relation to officials is awful, perhaps a more pertinent question would be to ask why referees aren't applying the laws of the game? I don't honestly see how any referee can moan about dissent and abuse when they've got the power to stop it, but don't use it.

 

[Cappers]

It is. The laws of the game state that:

A player is cautioned and shown the yellow card if he commits any of the
following seven offences:
• unsporting behaviour
• dissent by word or action

Furthermore, you can be sent off for:

using offensive, insulting or abusive language and/or gestures

Although the actions of some players in relation to officials is awful, perhaps a more pertinent question would be to ask why referees aren't applying the laws of the game? I don't honestly see how any referee can moan about dissent and abuse when they've got the power to stop it, but don't use it.

Totaly agree with you Grendel. All it takes is a directive from the FA to tighten up on the rule and it would stamp out this behviour. By not doing this I feel the FA are not really that concerned about doing anything about it and virtually therefore condoning it? As far as I can see everone agrees it is unacceptable behaviour, so I am at a compelte loss as to why nothing is done.

 

[Hercules Rockerfeller]

I was listenting to the 5-live commentary of City v Villa whilst driving home yesterday and when City scored what i understand was a slightly controversial goal Lawro questioned why the Villa players hadn't all surrounded the referee and even went on to say they should have done it even if they knew it was a goal.

I know he is from ther past, but I think players attitudes are still the same and I can't see them changing.

 

[Lush]

Perhaps the players involved should lose 40% of their match fee, like Ponting?

 

[KZNSeagull]

It has been going on for ages though and seems to be engrained in the game now unfortunately. I remember there was a documentary in the late 80's or early 90's when a top ref was miked up for the whole of an Arsenal game. The level of abuse he got was unbelievable and he only did something about it when Donkey Adams called him a cheating c***. Adams got a yellow card for that.

I find the whole thing pathetic personally and wonder whether the managers encourage it. The FA will only do something about it when there are not enough Refs to cover all the games at a weekend at grassroots level. I'm sure I heard that the number of people becoming refs had dropped alarmingly.

 

[JBizzle]

The problems are everywhere on this one. The refs won't enforce it because the managers are such a prissy bunch these days. The managers and players know they can get away with it because the referees won't punish it.

After the Mascherano inciedent a while back I thought there was a breakthrough in dissent. Clearly not.

Essentially, FIFA don't care about dissent so the Premier League and Football League can't do a huge amount. The Respect campaign, although one I agree with and back is pointless because nobody will actually take a lead role in enforcing it. Wearing the t-shirt then abusing the ref for 90 minutes doesn't constitute support.