Referee

I love watching the soccer game on the field but there is one part that I don’t prefer to partake in and that is the mind games players and coaches inflict on the referees. I have always said that even the best referee will make a mistakes, but if you leave the game down to one or two plays it is your fault and not the referees. I also believe that if a referee will make mistake being humans and all, and it can cost a team a tie or loss, but they are most like going to make that point or three up at some point during the year. It all balances itself out.

What does concern me is the abuse that referees take during a game. It is the worst by certain clubs, Manchester United for example. I have seen Alex Ferguson attack the officials pre-during-post games and yet his club is one of the worst at getting calls going their way. He uses the “Alex Rule” as I like to call it, to force his will on the game and ultimately impact the balance of possible of power in a game by his lack of restrain. I believe he is deserving of all of his success and is rightfully one of the greatest Manager of any sport, but I have seen to many MU games last year when they got a call that was very obvious would have not been called the other way. I say this even being a fan of MU.

Unless the FA is will to take a firm stand with managers, players, or owners of clubs this abuse will continue to happen and will lead to part of the game that I just don’t enjoy watching.
Lets play soccer, not the officials!

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My comments were spurred on by the following article below I finished reading…

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From ESPN.com

Managers will be banned from making comments about a referee before the match under rule changes announced by the Football Association.

Any manager who makes derogatory remarks about a match official before a game will face disciplinary action.

The FA will also toughen up on the harassment of match officials by players.

In relation to comments about referees, the FA said in a statement: "Clubs are being advised that any media comments by managers, players or any other club officials relating to appointed match officials prior to a fixture will no longer be allowed - such pre-match comments will be deemed improper and dealt with accordingly.

"Post-match comments in relation to match officials and incidents are still permitted provided they are not personal in their nature, imply bias or attack the integrity of the officials in charge of the match, or in any other respect bring the game into disrepute.''

Last season, Everton boss David Moyes questioned Mike Riley's appointment as referee for the FA Cup semi-final with Manchester United, saying it had been suggested to him that the official was a United supporter.

After the game, United manager Sir Alex Ferguson said Moyes' remarks may have influenced Riley in a crucial decision when Danny Welbeck appeared to have been fouled in the area by Phil Jagielka. No spot-kick was awarded, and Everton went on to win a penalty shoot-out.

Riley has since been appointed as the new Premier League referees' chief.

Under other rule changes, clubs can now be charged if three or more players surround the referee in a "confrontational manner''. Previously the charge required officials to report "harassment or intimidation'' by three or more players.

Meanwhile, managers and coaches who are reported for misconduct in the technical area will now be subject to a fast-track disciplinary system taking three or four weeks - much quicker than previously when such cases could drag on for months.