Welcome to the 29th edition of The Corsham Referee monthly International Referees' newsletter. Please let me have any contributions for the newsletter, as readers are always interested in hearing about Refereeing from around the world.  Please let me know if you have any difficulties in receiving or reading the newsletter; and let me have any suggestions on how it can be improved. It is issued free by email in both html (web page format), and plain text format. Previous issues (and printable pdf versions) can be seen by using the Previous Newsletters link on the home page of my http://www.corshamref.org.uk web site. This newsletter is issued approximately on the 1st day of each calendar month.

REFEREEING TODAY MAGAZINE - A MUST FOR ALL REFEREES
For those of you who are interested in subscribing to the best ever Referee magazine, why not subscribe to the Referees' Association glossy magazine 'Refereeing Today'. I am the Managing Editor of this magazine, and the next issue is out in December. The theme of the December magazine is Referee Assessing; and we also have a nice article from Stanley Lover about the history of Yellow and Red cards. There are lots more other articles that will be of interest to all referees. (The February 2006 theme will be Assistant Referees).
The cost is £2.50, or just 90p if you are a Referees' Association member.
For subscription information contact the Referees Association ra@footballreferee.org 
The Referees' Association web site can be found here http://www.footballreferee.org/
(Julian Carosi) 

Keep up the good Refereeing work wherever you are in the world; and welcome to our new readers.

FANTASTIC OFFSIDE ANIMATION

FIFA have produced a very good online offside Flash animation here: http://fifa.com/en/regulations/regulation/0,1584,3,00.html 
It covers all the old and the new parts of the offside Law and would be a great teaching aid.
You need either ADSL 128Kb-megabyte, or a 1 Broadband connection over 1 megabyte.
Note: The Macromedia Flash Player Download Centre can be found here if you don't already have it on your PC.
http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer

REFEREES' ASSOCIATION ENGLAND UPDATE

The 2006 RA Conference will take place on Friday 9 and Saturday 10 June in Northampton. It has been brought forward a week from the traditional third weekend in June, so that matches in the World Cup will have minimal impact.

RA Supplies: The new equipment supplies catalogue is out. Visit www.RAshop.co.uk

The number of Societies showing nil or very low memberships is alarming. The registered membership stands at just over 10,000, nearly three-quarters of where the RA membership was at the end of March 2005. Both The FA and the RA are suffering from a falling interest in refereeing; there is a similarity in the decline in numbers on both sides. 

Child Protection/CRB checks: A number of members and Societies are very much involved in the initiative to devolve ID checking to County RAs. If referees do not complete all this by 31 December, they will have to start paying the £7.50 that they were originally let off! More than that, with no completed documentation, they will not be able to re-register with their County FA next season.

TEN THINGS:

Ten things that Mr County Assessor does not want to see in a Level 7 to 4 promotion referee:
By Julian Carosi

1. Before the game starts: Arriving late, scruffy, head bowed, no field of play inspection, shoulders bowed and dribbling the ball on late entry into the field, and a feeble captains' whistle.
2. Slow start: No idea how to set your stall out early in the game by working hard, talking to players, high concentration, and looking like you are up for it in the first 15 minutes of every game.
3. Disciplining techniques: Bad use, lack of flexibility or even no use of the many disciplining techniques: 1. Do nothing: 2. Body language; 3. Quiet Word: 4. Semi-public warning: 5. Public Warning; 6 Caution; 7 Send-off.
4. Flexible control: Control that does not bend with the tempo of the game. Weak control when the game needs strong control, and strong control when the game needs weak control. 
5. Isolating players: When a player needs to be talked to, why not stand stupidly in the middle of a crowd of players, and let everyone hear what the problem is, and how you are going to deal with it. I think NOT!
6. Substitutions: Rather than sprinting to the halfway line and standing off the field of play to manage substitutions (when no neutral Assistant Referees are available), dwell in the centre circle and make trouble for yourself by encouraging 12 players to be on the field at the same time.
7. Scoring of a goal: Immediately turn your back and write the score in your note book, whilst being blissfully unaware that the goal scorer has just been knocked unconscious by the centre half!
8. Concentration: Be totally oblivious to the most important aspect of refereeing, and be constantly distracted by that young lady with the very short skirt who is part of the away team contingent
9. Enjoyment: Working very hard at trying not to crack your face, and making the players frightened to even speak to you. 
10. Advantage: When an advantage situation occurs, confuse the players, and cause yourself heaps more trouble by saying nothing and doing nothing; rather than using the standard communication, which is oh so very easy to do. "ADVANTAGE, PLAY ON" with a sweep forwards of both arms.

GOAL SAFETY
Latest advice from The FA England, on Goal Post Safety and The Role of the Referee.

It should be the responsibility of the designated Referee to point out to the participating clubs or the pitch users before a game that any metal cup hooks on either the goalposts or crossbar could constitute a danger. This could constitute finger entrapment due to the wearing of a ring or create severe neck injuries due other jewellery being worn such as ear-rings or necklaces. Whilst the Laws of the Game clearly state that jewellery should not be worn during any part of a match, such dangers could also exist prior to, or immediately after matches, where nets need to be fitted or removed by any user or club personnel. If both teams are prepared to play, having had this fact pointed out to them, then it is The FA's view that the Referee can be considered to have done as much as might be reasonable in the circumstances. The Referee should then report the fact that both teams agreed to play under these circumstances to the relevant Competition Secretary and The Secretary of the County FA. 

As a reminder to everyone concerned, metal cup hooks are to be banned from all levels of the game at the commencement of season 2007/08. Some Clubs or pitch providers have removed metal cup hooks since and replaced these with plastic arrow-head hooks from manufacturers, which do conform to current safety standards." Also if any Referees find this they could also point out to the club that do have metal cup hooks or goals which are non-compliant for other reasons, they may be able to apply for 50% funding towards new goals form the Football foundation.

 Details of their new Goalpost Safety Funding Scheme can be found here: http://www.footballfoundation.org.uk/seeking-funding/goalpost-safety-scheme

NEWS CLIPS FROM THE TELEGRAPH NEWSPAPER  http://www.telegraph.co.uk/ 

SPRAY IT ON FOR GOOD MEASURE

Alan Curbishley returned home late one night, flicked on the telly, and came across a channel showing a match in Brazil. One of the teams were awarded a free-kick about 35 yards out and, said the Charlton manager during a break in work on Bravo's coverage of Bolivia-Brazil last weekend: ''What the ref did was interesting. He grabbed the ball and put it down where the foul had happened. Then he reached into a pocket, took out a canister and sprayed some white stuff in a circle round the ball. Next he walked forward, pacing out 10 yards, stopped, bent down, drew a straight line across the pitch and waved the players behind it before going back to blow for the kick. It was much more difficult to encroach like they do here - often the 10 yards is more like eight - and I think the people in charge of our refs should look at it. The stuff this fellow used to mark the pitch was powdery and soon faded, so it didn't look untidy.'' So why not try it?

True, there could be problems in matches involving Robbie Fowler. And, when Wayne Rooney is around, maybe the referees would want to have Mace sprays at the ready instead. But it is a good idea that would extend to spectators in the stadium a privilege sometimes accorded those watching on television and Keith Hackett, who is in charge of England's leading referees, should consider it.
(Patrick Barclay 16 Oct. 05)

LENIENT BAN

Referee rails at assailant's lenient ban.
A referee knocked unconscious by a player who had just been sent off for violent conduct, expressed his "deep disappointment" yesterday that his assailant had escaped with a 31-week ban from the game. The Cambridgeshire FA, who had wanted Roy Bevis to be banned sine die with no appeal for at least five years "because of the severity of the offence", according to chief executive Roger Pawley, were "absolutely amazed" at the outcome of the hearing conducted by the Norfolk FA. 

Andrew Chapman, a 26-year-old referee from Cambridge, was laid low by Bevis, who was making an explosive debut for Thetford Town against Stowmarket in the Ridgeons Eastern Counties League on Aug 13. Bevis, who also wrestles professionally as the 'Zebra Kid', had already been given a 51-week suspended prison sentence for the assault on Chapman and been ordered to undertake 180 hours of community service. He has also accumulated a total of £410 in fines and costs ordered by Lowestoft Magistrates and the Norfolk FA. 
"As a former Football League referee, I know how the refereeing world feels," Pawley said. "I don't think anyone in football can believe this." 
Chapman said: "Hopefully, the National Referees Association, the Cambridgeshire FA and the FA will all look into this and ask how this decision was reached." 
(By Nicholas Harling 07 Oct 05)

ROONEY CLAPS HIMSELF A RED CARD

Wayne Rooney became an early victim of UEFA's zero-tolerance towards dissent and abusing match officials when the Manchester United striker was handed a two-match ban for his sending-off in last week's Champions League tie at Villarreal.
Rooney was initially cautioned for a foul and then clapped referee Kim Milton Nielsen, who showed him a second yellow and then the red card.
The Danish official also said in his post-match report that Rooney swore at him as he left the pitch. "It is beyond any doubt that Wayne Rooney committed several disciplinary offences, notably by taking two yellow cards resulting in a red card, as well as by displaying unsporting conduct,"
Rooney stopped short of an apology for letting down himself, his club, team-mates and supporters for his sending-off against Villarreal last week but he acknowledged there was "room for improvement in any player".

Rooney's talent is, unfortunately, matched by his temper at times and his total of league goals is only slightly ahead of the number of yellow and red cards he has collected. Sir Alex Ferguson has the delicate task of maintaining all of the England international's strengths while eliminating the darker side of the player who too often seems a red card waiting to happen.
(By Christopher Davies 21 Sept 05)

WHERE HAS ALL THE FUN GONE?
The last time I saw Johnny Haynes was when I visited him in Edinburgh. We wallowed in nostalgia, but then we had a lot to wallow in. He would have adorned the modern game. "But would it have been such fun?" he wondered. Fun is not a word much used nowadays when we discuss football. The nature of the game has been transformed by billionaires who talk about creating a dynasty to last 100 years when they mean buying a future that will last only until the money runs out. Do the coaches look like they are enjoying it? And if the players are having a good time, then they've fooled me. When I asked Johnny Haynes what he remembered when he looked back on his time at Craven Cottage, he said: "I remember one season we scored a 100 goals and didn't come top. We couldn't work it out until someone pointed out we had conceded 100 goals as well. It was great fun, wasn't it?"
That last sentiment is not just a suitable epitaph for a great player but a reminder to all of us about the real purpose of playing and watching a game.
(Michael Parkinson 24 Oct 05)

REFS BEING UNDERMINED

Keith Hackett, head of Premier League referees, is to seek urgent talks with the Football Association after an independent disciplinary commission effectively overruled referee Rob Styles when Newcastle's Scott Parker had his claim for mistaken identity upheld. Parker was shown the yellow card by Styles on Sunday 23 October for pushing Sunderland's Andy Welsh, who then ran into Stephen Carr as he fell over. Though Styles is convinced that he made the correct decision, and has not been contacted by the FA, a three-man commission decided the Hampshire official was wrong. Refereeing qualifications are not a pre-requisite for commission membership. It means the FA have become judge and jury in such disciplinary cases, apparently ignoring Law Five which states "the decisions of the referee regarding facts connected with play are final." Hackett is concerned that the FA are undermining the authority of match officials and will be seeking clarification. "The referee was adamant he did not caution the wrong player," said Hackett, angry that disciplinary commissions are "re-refereeing" games. "He cautioned Parker for unsporting behaviour and did not consider what Carr did worthy of a yellow card."
A week ago, the Football Association were placed in a difficult position when plans to upgrade Michael Essien's yellow card, received during Chelsea's win over Bolton, were ended after Fifa stressed that they were against retrospective punishments.

The FA were busy listening to renewed calls for the introduction of video technology after two incidents on Sunday 23 Oct. Middlesbrough were disappointed that the own goal, by defender Chris Riggott at West Ham, was allowed to stand after televison replays suggested that the ball did not cross the line. And Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho was unhappy that Didier Drogba's 'goal' was ruled out at Everton for offside even though replays showed the Frenchman was onside.

Keith Hackett, the Premier League's head of referees, would welcome the introduction of technology, admitting than in both incidents, the wrong decision was made.

"There is no doubt that when you look at the decision of the goal (Middlesbrough at West Ham), clearly videos show it was not over the line. The whole of the ball has to cross over the goallline in order for the goal to be awarded," said Hackett, the general manager of the Professional Game Match Official Board.

"The assistant got it wrong unfortunately. We are dealing in a major sport, in the top competition in the world and unfortunately we clearly need some technology to assist us.

"We are in the hands of Fifa and the IFAB (International FA Board); at the moment they are not in favour of bringing video technology in. However, they do recognise that we do need some assistance in technology and that's why at the moment they are heavily involved in the chip in the ball with which they've run at least one experiment, in the Under-17 competition, and intend running the same experiment in the World Club Championship in Japan later in the year.

"I'm not embarrassed for Steve Bennett (the referee at West Ham) because from where he's standing the match referee can't make the decision. He doesn't have a clear view, he can't guess it. The decision in this situation, as to whether the ball has crossed the line or not is very much in the hands of the assistant referee.

"We work very hard to get these guys in position and to make the decisions. I think those involved in football will now begin to understand that with the pair of decisions - this one and the offside call with Chelsea - how important the role of the assistant referee is within the game of football.

"I sympathise (with Jose Mourinho). When you look at the video and you run through it several times, then the assistant referee, who we advise to wait and see, has got the judgment wrong. He thought the ball was going to go through to Gudjohnsen, who was clearly offside. It didn't; it fell to Drogba and Drogba himself was in line with the second of those defenders; we see that on the video clip, and in this situation the goal should have stood.

"What we want is a situation that aids match officials on the day. But of course the Premiership, the Football Association and those within the game cannot move until Fifa and the IFAB declare that they will accept a form of technology to support. 

"And at this moment in time, on videos they are saying catagorically no. They are working on a chip in the ball, which we would like to see come to fruition as soon as possible."
(25/26 Oct 2005)


LIGHTENING STRIKER

An amateur footballer was struck on his forehead during a game, then carried on playing. Allan Macdairmid 34, was unscathed because of his rubber trainers and the plastic pitch at Great Conard Upper School, near Sudbury, Suffolk England.
(26 Oct 05)


BECKHAM GETS RED RESCINDED

David Beckham played for Real Madrid against Deportivo La Coruna on 26 October, after the competition committee of the Spanish Football Federation withdrew the red card he picked up against Valencia on the previous Sunday. Referee Arturo Dauden Ibanez booked Beckham for dissent and then showed him the red card, for sarcastically applauding the decision, two minutes from time as Madrid lost 2-1 to Valencia at the Santiago Bernabeu. Beckham was due to be suspended for the Deportivo La Coruna match as a result, but his red card was withdrawn after Real appealed on the basis that "at no time" did he show either "disrespect" or "sarcasm". Although Beckham has been fined £40 for his behaviour, the appeal was upheld last night, with the competition committee finding that his applause was not directed at the referee and was not therefore sarcastic - contrary to Dauden Ibanez's official report. The committee also concluded that, even though it was a response to the booking, Beckham's clapping formed part of his initial protest and should therefore only have been punished with the initial booking, not an additional red card.

"The clapping took place when the player's back was turned to the referee and when he was returning to his position on the pitch," ran the statement. "Although the action is worthy of reproach, it was not done in direct confrontation and is seen as part of his original protest." 

It added: "Neither the incidents themselves, nor the referee's report, suggest that there was an intention to insult or slight the referee."
(26 Oct 05)


VIDEO REFEREES NO THE SOLUTION Michel Platini

"Referees", Platini said, "must be accepted as human, prone to error. It would be foolish, he asserted, to supplement their authority with video technique. What we need," he suggested, "is five referees, including two goal judges."

Platini, elaborating on his views, was adamant that to go down the video path was a mistake. "We have a major problem," he said. "You can have 17 cameras at a match to see what sometimes the ref can't see, and still not always be sure. Video is very dangerous for the referee.

"I've thought for a long time that three referees at the top level is not enough. My solution is to have another two assistants by the goals, to judge over-the-line incidents."

Platini adds that goal-judge assistants would be well positioned to help the referee, when necessary, on penalty decisions, six-yard area fouls, tackles inside or outside the 18-yard line. His opinion is significant, because besides being an executive committee member of both Fifa and Uefa, he is chairman of Fifa's technical and development commission.

"We must rely on the human system," he says. "If you introduce video into the live game" - as opposed to providing retrospective evidence on violent play - "where do you end? Do you include offside decisions? Penalties? Midfield incidents that lead seconds later to goals?

"If we accept video, in 10 years' time we'll have no referee, just a guy sitting at a control desk pressing replay buttons, blowing a siren and calling out 'goal' or 'no goal'. Certainly referees do need help, and where you have the finance, in big tournaments, there's no difficulty with numbers. At the World Cup, say, you have a pool of referees on hand for a month."

On the problem of offside decisions, Platini is equally emphatic: that the current not-involved-in-play mentality is unsatisfactory, in spite of the fact that in this instance the adjustment was allegedly done to make life easier for referees.

"This is not a good philosophy," he says. "It's easier for the referee to judge on the 'second action' rather than the first - on the pass from a colleague to Van Nistelrooy, say, who split seconds earlier has been in an offside position, but not in the action-involving play. 

"All the players are against this interpretation. In the beginning, football belonged to the players. Now it belongs to everyone else - to the public, the referees, the coaches, the agents. It is the responsibility of Fifa, Platini says, to propose a further change to the International Board - the joint body of Fifa and the four British associations who govern the laws - but, as he stresses, such a recommendation has first to pass through the referee's commission.

"The offside law is vitally important," he says, "because it is the best invention in football. It helps create the artistry, the intellect of the game. Without it you have no football, just boom, boom, a bombardment of the penalty areas. You would not need midfield players, just goalkeepers..." He agrees that truly great teams are defined by the extent of admiration of their artistry among not their own supporters but those of defeated opponents. "But only after the game is over," he adds wryly.
(27 Oct 05)

PRINCE WILLIAM

Prince William was appointed president designate of the Football Association in mid-September, and will take over the role from his uncle, the Duke of York in May. He will see the work being carried out in the club’s award-winning Community department at firsthand and then join the Charlton first team as they prepare to face Bolton in the Premiership on Saturday 1 Oct 2005.
Prince William said: "I am really excited to be taking up this role. Football is a game I love playing and watching. It is also the national sport and generates extraordinary passions among millions of people. It certainly did last year for me, when I followed England with my friends during Euro 2004, and will no doubt do so again next summer during the World Cup in Germany.
(26 Oct 05)

FA RECINDING YET AGAIN
Ross Flitney, the unfortunate Barnet goalkeeper who was dismissed in the second minute of his team's Carling Cup tie at Manchester United on Wednesday, has had his conviction quashed by the Football Association. The success of his appeal - he will not now incur a suspension - meant little to Flitney, 21, who had the biggest night of his career ruined by the fussiness of referee Richard Beeby, who showed the youngster the red card for handling outside his penalty area. It was obvious that Flitney had offended accidentally and that he was not denying his opponents a clear scoring opportunity. Flitney, who is now available for today's League Two home fixture with Rushden & Diamonds, said: "The FA decision irritates me even more because it confirms the referee was wrong to send me off."
(William Johnson 29 Oct 05)

WHAT IS HAPPENING?
The latest elbow incident involving Shearer, a man with so little control of his elbows that opponents ought to wear gumshields, does, however, raise important questions about just what powers the FA have to punish players for crimes missed or ignored by referees. They took no action against Chelsea's Michael Essien for an appalling challenge on Bolton's Tal Ben Haim, saying it would have been against the rules of world governing body FIFA. Yet they have been pulling back red and yellow cards quicker than a croupier and even dealt a retrospective yellow to Newcastle's Stephen Carr, against the wishes of match-day referee Rob Styles, which would have been issued before he was booked later in the game. Even more amazingly, Carr was then deemed to have received two yellows in last Sunday's derby against Sunderland and was banned. But had he got the first, might he not have avoided what has now turned out to be the second?
FA chief executive Brian Barwick says he is proud of the new fast-track disciplinary system. But its workings need explaining to the rest of us.
(Roy Collins 30 Oct 05)

THE MOANING GOES ON

If you saw Match Of The Day last weekend, you will know what I mean. During Manchester United's draw with Tottenham, young Bardsley was stretching to prevent a ball from going for a throw when, with a vain hook of his right leg - the ball was already 18 inches over the line - he caught the attendant linesman on the shin, who winced while maintaining a dutiful concentration on the flag. Bardsley, far from offering a light-hearted apology, scowled and reprimanded the poor man as if he were some idiot occupying the wrong space, then ran off muttering. I later noted him berating the referee, Uriah Rennie, again with no justification other than that the official had got between Bardsley and what he wanted at that particular time.
Maybe this is how budding professionals are expected to behave these days. You certainly see plenty of them shaking their heads in impertinent mock bewilderment at the decisions of men more experienced and, in most cases, professional than they. It just makes them look stupid, but managers do not seem to mind; rudeness appears to be perceived as an aspect of the winning mentality. 
In a sane world, Bardsley would have been called to Sir Alex Ferguson's office on Monday morning and instructed that, if he wanted to represent United again, he should pick up a pen and a piece of paper, write an apology to the linesman, put it in an envelope, apply a first-class stamp and pop it in one of those red things you see on street corners.
I cannot think of a current manager who would do that - with the possible exception of Stuart Pearce, whose mature attitude towards football in general and referees in particular has been one of the joys of the season thus far. And for whom did Pearce play? Among others, Brian Clough, the only manager I have ever known who would unquestionably have corrected any tendency towards ill manners among his charges. 
The old rascal had his faults, but the more time goes by the more Clough is missed because he brought his young men up to treat referees and linesmen politely and, while part of the thinking was that the officials might be more favourably disposed to his team, the main reason was that he thought it was the right way to behave. I wish he could have a word with Bardsley.
(Patrick Barclay 30 Oct 05)

INJURY WORRIES

The results of a survey carried out at the Grassroots Football Show England 2005 have shown that less than half (48 percent) of amateur football teams believe that their first aid kits are well enough prepared to deal with any injuries that may occur throughout a match. The most common injuries highlighted, were sprains, with 90 percent of all clubs surveyed citing this injury. The second most common was bruising and swelling from bangs and clashes, with the third most common injury being blisters from boots.
(Chippenham News 21 Oct 05)

THROW-IN 2-METRE DISTANCE POLL RESULTS 

The 2-metre distance at a throw-in poll has been running on the home page of http://www.corshamref.org.uk for some months now. The results from 358 votes can be seen below.  

The question was: What action should a Referee take, if a player stands nearer than 2 metres to his opponent who is taking a throw-in? 

Votes/Percentage/Question:

200 / 56% The Referee should use his/her discretion. 
42 / 12% If the thrower is standing on the touchline, ask the thrower to move 2 metres back from the touchline. 
39/11% Issue a mandatory caution (yellow card) every time it happens.
34 / 9% Issue a caution (yellow card) on the second occasion by the same player. 
27 / 8% Only issue a caution if it affects play. 
11 / 3% Only issue a caution if the perpetrator moves around. 
2 / 1% Only issue a caution if the thrower asks you to. 
1 / 0% The Referee should never issue a caution (yellow card) under any circumstances. 
1/ 0% Only issue a caution if the perpetrator is standing on the touchline. 
1 / 0% Always measure the distance out with two paces before each throw-in. 

A new Voting Poll is now in place on the home page of http://www.corshamref.org.uk. So cast your votes my good friends! The new Poll covers Referee Assessors.

THE DON IS NEARING THE END

Quietly flows the don of referees as the end nears.
Dermot Gallagher, who recently took charge of his 1,000th professional match and is philosophical about his looming retirement. THIRTY-ONE minutes had elapsed in the match between Banbury United Reserves and Holyport in the GLS Hellenic League first division east. Not a foul had been committed, such was the sporting nature of the contest, when the referee spotted an infringement and blew his whistle. “Come on, ref,” Ricky Johnson, the Banbury striker, spluttered. “Let it flow.” 
That is the lot of the match official. Damned if he does, damned if he doesn’t. At least Johnson’s angst produced much mirth. “Everyone just fell about laughing,” Dermot Gallagher, the FA Premier League and former FIFA referee, said. “You couldn’t make it up, could you?” 

Gallagher had had a spare weekend and requested a game. That it was near his home in North Oxfordshire was a bonus; that the crowd numbered about 60, with £94 taken at the gate, and one of his assistants was Chris Kidd, 15, was irrelevant. The shaven-headed Dubliner is addicted, smitten by a sport and a profession that has dominated his life since he rose to the League list 21 years ago. 

“I treat every match the same,” he said. “Every match is special. It doesn’t matter whether it’s Banbury United Reserves or Newcastle United. Whoever is playing, wherever the game, it is the most important thing in their lives for 90 minutes. They are trying to do the best they can and I’m trying to do the same. That’s the secret, that’s how I referee.” 

For only seven months more. Gallagher, 48, has reached retirement age and despite an obsession with fitness that would shame many of his younger Barclays Premiership colleagues, despite a passion that remains undimmed, he will blow his final whistle on May 7. 

“When I retired from the FIFA list in December 2002, when I walked off the pitch in Cyprus and got off the plane at Heathrow, I never looked back,” he said. “Whatever stadium I leave behind in May, it won’t bother me. That will be it. There’s no point in crying. 

“When someone was 48 all those years ago and I took their place, I didn’t shed a tear. And when a 27-year-old waves goodbye to me because he wants my place, good luck to him.” 

Unemotional, detached. It has been his manner at about 2,500 fixtures at all levels. Only when he officiated at his 1,000th professional match, when Preston North End played Burnley at Deepdale last month, would he admit to an inner glow of self-satisfaction, especially after he was presented with a commemorative Preston shirt. 

“My priority was to referee the game,” Gallagher said. “But I was happy and when I got home at 1.45am, instead of watching television for half an hour, I kept reading the match programme and looking at the shirt.” He then updated the disk on his computer, on which his 999 previous outings had been recorded. 

Gallagher is meticulous in everything. Order is paramount, chaos abhorrent. When his hair began to thin and became patchy, he got rid of it. He now shaves his head once a day. He is also deeply religious and watches the Ireland team of his friend, Brian Kerr, the manager, as much as he can. In his job he assesses the crime before making judgment. “I recognise that a football match is not like going to church,” he said. “If a player swears directly at me or one of my assistants, then he is sent off. If he curses himself for making a mistake, then I use common sense. I’ve noticed that there has been a marked drop in abuse aimed at referees and that has to be applauded. It was becoming intolerable.” 

Yet Gallagher fears for the tyro referees coming through. “Seventy per cent pack it up within one season of starting,” he said. “Eighty-five per cent go within two years. Go to Chelsea with 42,000 people there and you don’t really hear anything. It’s just a wall of sound. But the parks are the hardest places to referee. If you’re 19, there’s seven people watching you at the local rec and one of them takes a dislike to you, you hear every remark. It becomes one to one, personal. I defy anyone to go to work for an hour and a half, sit there and have criticised every decision that you make. If I did that to you, you’d punch me in the face long before the hour and a half was up. And yet these young lads have to go through it.” 

Gallagher will speak at a tribute dinner for Brian Clough, the late Nottingham Forest manager, next month. “He was a real gentleman, an icon,” Gallagher said. “And his teams were a joy to referee. He was always polite and courteous, as were his players.” 

In Stuart Pearce, the Manchester City manager and former Forest left back, he sees a Clough clone. “Stuart is from the same mould,” Gallagher said. “It’s really refreshing.” 

Clough has gone. Soon Gallagher. “I haven’t thought about it in any great depth because I might lose sight of where I am,” he said. “I’m still a referee and I won’t look too far ahead. I live for today and tomorrow.” 

Contrary to the opinion of Ricky Johnson, Banbury United Reserves’ finest, Gallagher does prefer to go with the flow.
(The Times October 06, 2005 By Russell Kempson)

LETTER FROM AUSTRALIA

Julian, my name is Andrew Short and I'm the Branch Coach for the Bathurst Soccer Referees inc at Bathurst NSW Australia. Last week Bathurst hosted the NSW State Titles in the Under 12, 14 and 16 Girls age groups and we had to field 6 games of officials in 5 time slots for 4 days. An interesting occurrence took place in the Final of the Under 14s on Thursday. I was standing behind the fence near the benches for nearly the whole game. Standing with me was our Branch President, Chris Orme, I believe Chris writes to you occasionally.
The game went into Sudden Death Extra Time (Soccer NSW still uses the Golden Goal) and the referee awarded a Penalty Kick to the blue team with 4 minutes gone. From my view the referee was spot on, no doubt about it, 100% correct. Sure the fouled player made a meal of the challenge, but a foul was committed none the less.
The coach of the offending team turned to me and said "that's the worst refereeing decision I've ever seen" to which I replied "well you haven't seen many, have you?" The Spot Kick was duly parried by the Goalkeeper
back to the kicker who scored. Game over.
The losing coach tried to complain to the winning coach who wouldn't have a bar of it. Chris Orme turned to me and said that the losing coach had a choice of 2 paths. 

He could (a) tell his girls they had a great week and 2nd in NSW was a great result and well done to everyone especially the Goalkeeper who had just saved a spot, 
or he could (b) blame the Ref saying the Ref cost them the title and it was never a penalty and they were ripped off.

Can you guess which way he jumped? 
I bet you can!

You're right, he went (b) and so did the parents of the girls. They obviously don't realise that their comments will further poison their players against Referees and authority in general. I heard a retired Australian Rugby League Referee (Bill Harigan) on the radio saying that society has lost respect for Teachers, the Police and Referees and it's not leading to a better world. I have to agree with him. 

There are questions I continually ask myself. 
Why did the coach take the easy way out when he obviously must be the sort of person who takes the hard road? Coaching a team full of teenagers is not an easy job, especially at an elite level when they
think they know everything. 
Why are people so quick to blame the Ref for one decision when players make mistakes all the time and maybe should have had 2 or 3 goals but can't shoot straight? 
Why do people continually badger the Ref when this is one of the main reasons Referees quit the game? I have had players whinging when their game cannot be covered by officials. (They can't have it both ways, can they?)

But I ramble on. You can see where I'm coming from. In conclusion, I don't think that Referees should be totally bullet proof, there must be some accountability, but when they do their job, leave them alone.

Yours in Reffing,  Andrew Short

REFEREES TAKE FLACK

REFEREES are taking flak from on and off the pitch. Anyone who pauses, even for 10 minutes, to watch a local league match in Huddersfield would spot the problem. Officials at some games are being abused throughout by players and spectators alike. And this kind of treatment means referees are leaving the amateur game and others are not coming forward to take up the whistle. This is not just happening in Huddersfield - such problems are being encountered all over the country.
In Huddersfield, 65 referees are registered with the District FA and, of those, only 31 will accept fixtures in local Leagues because of their refereeing commitments elsewhere. Over the first few weeks of the new season, an average of 21 to 24 are taking fixtures, leaving about 60% of games unstaffed. Of those who are on duty, many are getting abused - but many players seem oblivious to this fact and think it's part of the game. Unless the offenders quickly realise officials are not prepared to put up with this attitude, then the game will suffer even further and people becoming referees will soon be few and far between.
That is sad to report at a time when Huddersfield has Jason Tyas running the Football League line. But the District FA's referees' appointments secretary, John Ennis, who has the unenviable task of trying to staff local games with officials, said:

"The way that players and clubs treat referees is stupid, unrealistic and totally unsustainable, and unless we can rectify the problem we will struggle to retain and get more officials. Every referee I speak to always says they get no respect and receive abuse both on the pitch and from the touchline. It's okay for Leagues and FAs to say the referee has the power to deal with it. But one man on his own given no respect does not stand a chance. "That battle was lost long ago: you only have to watch Premiership football to prove my point. Over the last few weeks three local referees have resigned. They were not young lads, but men who had finished playing and took up refereeing to give something back to the game. They were well aware what was meted out on local parks, but they couldn't take the continual abuse. And why should they?"
Several ideas have been tried to combat the situation and the latest comes from the West Cornwall Sunday League. This new initiative attempts to address the problem and, hopefully, go towards changing the attitude of clubs and players towards referees, who are entitled to enjoy the game as much as the players.
In the Cornwall scheme, clubs are given a `P' for `Privilege' status if they have agreed to respect referees' rights and have a track record to back up their pledge.
They are then allocated referees on a regular basis, whereas clubs with records of abusing referees are not. To gain `P' status clubs have to prove they afford each referee a courteous and genuine welcome. They have to give players a formal briefing before each game - instructing players not to question decisions and that any form of abuse is not tolerated. Irrespective of his performance, the referee must also be thanked and accorded a respectful and courteous farewell. Referees are asked to comment on each team so that `P' status can be reviewed. If he is not completely satisfied with their approach, the club will be warned and fined.
Acceptance of this is a condition of joining the scheme. A second offence will result in withdrawal of the privileged status, which means they go to the bottom of the list and have the chance of a referee only from those who don't wish to be part of the scheme. The League hope that this will be a strong incentive for clubs and players to change their approach. The scheme came in only this season and, so far, the response has been good with all clubs signed up. In Cornwall, they've now got a sponsor who provides certificates and a ball for each club that sticks with the scheme. 
Could it work in Huddersfield and would it get past the leagues? Perhaps the scheme, or a similar project, could be worth a try. In the meantime, Mr Ennis appeals to players and clubs to give referees a chance.
"If clubs want referees they have got to start respecting them," he added.
(By The Huddersfield Daily Examiner Oct 6 2005)

THIS MONTH'S TOPICS

This month, we look at a slick tip for Assistant Referees, and a discussion about how to deal with robust challenge that does not necessarily involve an opponent!

TIP FROM JACK BLAKEMORE
I was lining in a Cheshire FA Sunday Cup at Sale in Manchester. The other assistant told me of a ploy he adopts to support his colleague liner.
How many times have we checked the nets and then run back to the middle to join the referee, only to see the other assistant still trying to get his net sorted? Such a necessary delay brings attention to himself. My colleague asked that each of us check our respective nets and then rather than just shoot off back to the middle, we should each look down the other end and if one of us is still securing their net, then the other should hang back at the opposite net. When each of us is ready, we should signal to each other and run back to the middle TOGETHER. It looks great and I will continue to employ this practice in the future.
Best Wishes
Jack

FOUL - ROBUST CHALLENGES

Question : Location of Play: Close to the centre line of the field of play, very close to the touchline. 
A Red team attacking player is just about to receive a pass from his colleague. 

A Blue team defender who sees the play develop, runs as fast as he can to intercept the pass, and slides aggressively with his cleats/studs exposed and makes a powerful contact with the ball from behind the Red team player. 

No contact is made whatsoever with the Red team player. 

However, the act itself looked so dangerous, that had the Blue defender made contact with the Red attacking player, then it would have definitely been a very serious foul. 

What should the Referee do?

Answer: A Referee's duty is not to just apply the Laws as they are written in black and white, but to interpret them, so as to provide the greatest enjoyment for the players.

If a player makes a challenge that oversteps the way that the game is meant to be played, then the referee MUST do something about it (even if there is no opponent immediately involved). A Referee who does nothing, will show to the players that they, and not the Referee are the deciders of what type of behaviour is allowed and what is not. This of course will lead to anarchy, and before long, it will be the players who are controlling the game, and not the Referee. This will most likely lead to trouble, and possible injuries caused to players, by opponents who have no respect for the Referee; because he provides them with no guidance, and he allows them a free reign to do exactly what they like. 

If a player makes a challenge on the ball using a force that is clearly outside of what is normally expected to win the ball, then the Referee must judge each situation as it occurs. 

This can range from:

(a) an angry player sliding in, to kick the ball forcefully away in frustration, when there is no opponent anywhere near the ball - to 

(b) a situation where a player uses excessive force to tackle an opponent from behind, having no intention of playing the ball, but rather, to cause the player a serious injury.

The action that a Referee takes will range from a quiet word of advice, to a sending-off for violent conduct (or serious foul play).

The degrees between examples (a) and (b) are limitless, and the Referee will need to consider more than just the challenge itself, before he decides what to do about it. 

For example:

(c) if the game so far, has been played in a good spirit, and this is the first challenge of this nature, and no opponent has been seriously effected, then this will be an excellent chance for the Referee to take some action that will impart a clear message to all the players; that "a repeat of this type of challenge will not be tolerated". In this instance, the referee should give the perpetrator a public warning, by isolating the player and advising him accordingly. 
Note: If a player makes a robust challenge on the ball by 'playing dangerously', whilst being aware that an opponent is within playing distance of the ball (and the Referee decides to stop play), this is a penal offence punished by a direct free kick. Playing dangerously should not be confused with the indirect free kick offence of playing in a dangerous manner, which in simple terms can be described as an action taken by a player who is unaware of the potential consequences to, or relative position of an opponent.

(d) If the challenge is a culmination of growing tension in the game, and the challenge involves an opponent, then this will be another excellent chance for the Referee to take some strong disciplinary action that will impart a clear message to the players. 

The action that a Referee takes will range from a public warning, to a caution, to a sending-off for violent conduct (or serious foul play).

Once again, the degrees between examples (c) and (d) are limitless. 

The position of the incident, the time in the game, and the affects of the incident are also factors to be considered by the Referee when making his judgement on a sliding tackle.

For example:

(e) if the game so far, has been played in a good spirit, and this is the first challenge of this nature, where an opponent was nearby, but was not seriously effected, and the ball falls to the advantage of the offended team, the Referee can allow play to continue. And a warning can be delivered to the player when the ball next goes out of play.

(f) if the incident (e) takes place on the edge of the opponent's penalty area, then the Referee could consider stopping play and awarding a free kick, rather than allowing play to continue. 

The scenarios are endless, and the examples above, demonstrate that it is not the type of challenge alone and the proximity of other players, that decides the outcome, but a number of other factors also. This is the nub of Law interpretation; and why it is difficult to provide a black-and-white answer to what at first seems like a simple question concerning a single match incident.

The only answer that covers all scenarios, is that a Referee MUST do SOMETHING.

WRISTBANDS. ARE THEY ALLOWED?

Let me have your thoughts on this month's topics. Regards Julian Carosi

I hope that you have enjoyed this issue of the newsletter, and that you are all continuing to enjoy your refereeing roles.  All the very warmest wishes to you all, wherever you are in the world.

Regards, Julian Carosi (Newsletter Editor):
Web site: http://www.corshamref.org.uk
(Also - Managing Editor and Laws Editor of Refereeing Today, Referee, FA Referee Instructor, and FA Referees' Assessor Wiltshire, England).

Disclaimer: The content of this newsletter is not sanctioned by or affiliated with any governing body of soccer. The opinions expressed here are sometimes those of the Corsham Referee webmaster and the readers, or from other media sources. Reference to the male gender in this newsletter is for simplification only, and apply to both males and females. All rights of the current Laws mentioned in this newsletter are reserved by FIFA, and they are the official laws of the International Football Association Board.

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