The Footie Thread

[Lucifer MorningStar]

Everyone here spouting how “it works in Rugby” wonderful great for Rugby. Football isn’t Rugby (thankfully God awful sport).

Just because something works in other sport doesn’t mean it will in Football. Officiating is done differently players in Rugby were brought up from day one to respect the official, we can’t even get games at Under 9s level to respect referees and half that issue is the people on the sidelines. If anyone thinks that would then work in Stadiums filled with 30k+ fans shouting abuse is gonna work is living in dream land

People on a golf forum can’t even come to a agreement on it good luck implementing it successfully in football despite what goes on in Rugby

 

[IanM]

Correct. So start enforcement with kids and their ignorant parents shouting abuse on the touchline.

 

[Swango1980]

I don't mind the idea of looking at other sports and seeing if it can be used to improve football. After all, the situation is a million miles from being perfect, so some changes could end up improving things

I think it would be better if we could find a way to humanise referees, somehow. Not by speaking after games to justify decisions, but by hearing them more often, on the field perhaps. I think too many simply think of them as an object that is pure incompetence, and thus ready to hammer them at any opportunity.

If we did hear them in pitch, it would be nowhere near rugby. It is ingrained in too many fans, players and managers to question them and blame them for every failing. But, it could at least help get the ball rolling, and maybe things could slowly change. Might take years and years as generations change. But, I do think if we can hear them, players will quickly adjust their behaviour. They would be humiliated if they were heard screaming and crying. Sponsors and teams would hate it. And if players start treating referee with more respect because it makes themselves come across as much nicer, decent human beings, then kids may at least start seeing that as "normal".

So, I would definitely be up for a change along these lines, if it was on the table.

 

[Lucifer MorningStar]

Correct. So start enforcement with kids and their ignorant parents shouting abuse on the touchline.

Yeah because that works

That ship sailed long ago and is held the reason kids games can barely get refs and even worse in Sunday league.

Such a simplistic view I’m afraid, that horse has bolted society is the issue a you won’t change it at grass roots as this same people are the fans referees should be protected from. The safety of a golf
Forum makes for good ideas , the lack of protection in the real world has made these people a target for the masses.

On that I’m out

 

[PaulMdj]

It works perfectly well in the 'chaotic' world of rugby union across the globe. FIFA Decision and they control World Football, the PL can’t ignore their rules without agreement.

The referees in rugby union are infinitely better than their football counterparts. And don't have the same credibility concerns. I disagree, you get good and bad in all Sports, watch the 6 Nations, Referee’s will often be criticised, France v England a few weeks back, the Ref was questioned by pundits etc

Foul and abusive language is already against the rules. Tell your players to behave better. It is if directed at the Ref, but not if spoken between team mates and picked up on a mic.

Explanations should be kept to a minimum - maybe only to the players? (But the crowd would be able to hear). Think more RFU, less NFL. Yet people on hear want to hear full explanations so than understand why decisions are made, the Officials already explain it to players, managers etc,

Again, doesn't seem to be a problem in places like Twickenham, Stade Francais etc...Because Rugby has natural pauses and the crowd goes silent, look at the crowd behaviour for conversions, you can hear a pin drop.


This makes me feel more it's the culture amongst the football decision makers which is the problem. It is culture your spot on, but it is decades of cultural issues and the money involved in Football compared to Rugby is huge. You also need to look at the issues Rugby faces at grassroot level, it really isn’t the role model some like to portray.

They aren’t my reasons, they are the ones quoted by the powers that be.

My thoughts on your answers above.

We hear this Rugby line being the example raising its head every so often, I’m sure all Sports could learn something from each other, but in the main it’s Apples & Oranges, some of the issues in Football could take a generation or more to get to a point we’d be content with.

 

[PaulMdj]

For those who think Rugby Union has a lot of the answers:

Rugby Union referees face significant challenges, primarily driven by intense scrutiny, in-game inconsistencies, and high levels of abuse
. Key issues include inconsistent officiating on laws like the tackle and breakdown, high-profile errors, over-reliance on the Television Match Official (TMO), and a lack of transparency in accountability, alongside alarming rates of abuse causing retention issues.

Key Problems with Rugby Union Referees:

• Lack of Consistency: A major issue is the lack of consistency in how laws are applied between different referees and matches, leading to a "clarity problem" for players and coaches.
• Abuse and Recruitment Issues: Nearly 50% of match officials report being subjected to abuse, causing a retention crisis at all levels of the game. High-profile referees, including Wayne Barnes and Tom Foley, have stepped away due to the "torrent of abuse" and threats.
• Accountability and Transparency: There is significant frustration regarding a lack of transparency around referee reviews and a perception that there are few repercussions for decisions that significantly impact game outcomes.
• TMO Over-use and Interruptions: The TMO process is often seen as slow and excessive, with reviews of minor incidents slowing down the game and sometimes leading to "farcical" or contentious decisions.
• Pressure to Influence Game Flow: Referees have reported feeling pressured to manipulate game outcomes or style, such as managing the amount of "ball in play," rather than just penalizing infringements.
• Communication Gaps: Poor communication regarding the implementation of new laws, specifically around tackle height, has caused confusion between officials, teams, and fans.
  

The Rugby Football Union (RFU) has introduced stricter, "aggravated sanctions" for players and coaches who abuse referees to combat the increasing hostility.

 

[IanM]

No one said Rugby was perfect, but it certainly isn't the Wild West.

Yeah because that works

That's no reason for the "do nothing" option.

 

[Lucifer MorningStar]

No one said Rugby was perfect, but it certainly isn't the Wild West.



That's no reason for the "do nothing" option.

Did I say it was ! I just said your simplistic view isn’t the answer !