1.) 18 Feb 2021
18 Feb 2021 08:58:42
Although I know it’s wrong that the ref clashed with the player I did think “Get in there”. I’ve reffed teenagers games and that is I bloody nightmare! So god knows how they cope with a adult shouting every F word going at you. Why we can’t change it to be like reffing rugby I don’t know.

2.) 18 Feb 2021
18 Feb 2021 10:31:35
Should be that no player is allowed to talk or even approach the ref other then the captain, and the manager is allowed to talk to the fourth official. If any other player says anything to the ref at all or directs any comments towards or about them they should just be given a yellow card. But like most things such as the play acting and bending of rules nothing will done.

3.) 18 Feb 2021
18 Feb 2021 11:18:02
It’s difficult, refs deserve more respect but in the premier league the quality of refereeing is woeful and some of them seem to believe their own hype.

4.) 18 Feb 2021
18 Feb 2021 12:00:57
Ref stood his ground for me, this wouldn't of happened in Rugby, massive men being able to control themselves in the heat of the moment, showing respect to the ref, footballers are an embarrassing breed, regarding their actions on a pitch, acting like they have broken a leg if blown on, it made it worse the manager coming out crying about it. Footballers (obviously not all) think they are untouchable yet act like children if someone dares stands up-to them.

5.) 18 Feb 2021
18 Feb 2021 13:06:37
The problem is referees at all levels of the football pyramid get abused.

It’s a shame the authorities have never had the balls to do anything about it.

You step out of line or talk to the referee in a non respectful tone your gone. Do that for every incident and it would stop very quickly.

It needs a culture change that everyone needs to be part of. That includes the referees to and in particular PGMOL growing up and trying to stop the illusion of getting everything right. Maybe if they decided to just be better at their jobs than hide their failings behind weak excuse after weak excuse that would go some way to help.

6.) 18 Feb 2021
18 Feb 2021 13:28:54
Best referee I ever had admitted he had made a mistake. Where do you go from there as a player? Refs are human and make errors. Treat them with respect. Basketball refs make poor calls almost every possession and the players have a little leeway but when the protest starts to embarrass an official they get a tech called on them immediately. The law allows you to card for dissent, use it to change the culture. It will take a while but the players will adjust.

7.) 18 Feb 2021
18 Feb 2021 14:27:25
I think football just aren't consistent with how they implement whatever new policy or strategies they have. For instance, the fair play initiative a few years ago. don't know even know what they were trying to achieve. They seem to come up with new ideas as a good optic but with little commitment to see them through to make meaningful change.

If I was in charge I would do the following:

- permit only the captain to question a call

- other players who question or argue with the ref get an instant yellow. If ref needs to show 5 players at one time a yellow card then so be it. If it is their second yellow then so be it. if games are defaulted because one team has less than the minimum allowed to play then so be it.

- fine and then suspend repeat offenders

- I would then punish refs who don't implement this consistently. cos th eonly way to effect behaviour change is to be really clear with a boundary and then enforce it.


I rekon if you do that, then over time you will get that change in behaviour and attitude towards the refs. Another 'out there' idea is to march the defense back 10m when they argu with the ref. and if that takes them into the box then make it a penalty. you watch the players quickly learn to shut their traps if the refs consistenly did this, then over time the behaviour would change.

8.) 18 Feb 2021
18 Feb 2021 15:09:33
I have to say I saw the pictures of the incident with the ref and I thought wow he’s really lost it there. Then I watched the video and it’s just split second reaction to a player that is shouting god knows what at him after just trying to con a penalty.
On a basic human level the ref is well within his rights to stand up for himself and show he won’t be intimidated.
Once again it looks like the British media picking an incident and blowing it up out of all proportion. The ref should be punished by his bosses if they feel he’s overstepped the line but let’s not make it out like he’s assaulted someone. This could seriously affect his career moving forward too but Sly Sports don’t give a toss as long as it gets clicks.
Nothing to see for me except a man standing his ground in the face of a threat.

9.) 18 Feb 2021
18 Feb 2021 19:50:58
Just think about cricket. The umpire gives a guy out and he clearly knows he didn't nick the ball. He has to just turn around and walk off. No hysterics, no hands on the ref, players gathering around like a baying mob. Footy players are pampered fools. They constantly cheat. I hate it when a ball clearly comes off a player for a throw and they claim for it every time, bloody embarrassing. How the refs don't send half the players off every game is beyond me.