Yellowbeard
Well-Known Member
Surely an April Fools Day Joke 
Give A-League refs a break
By Tom Smithies
April 01, 2008 FOOTBALL chiefs are planning a crackdown on dissent against A-League referees, to headline a campaign against abuse of officials at all levels of the game.
Measures under consideration include a radical move to allow only team captains to communicate with referees, a rule borrowed directly from rugby union where dissent is simply not tolerated.
Football Federation Australia chief executive Ben Buckley, appalled by what he regards as the challenging of referees' authority, has asked his officials to canvass a range of measures, including the captains-only rule.
Other national associations are trialling similar initiatives in the wake of high-profile referee abuse beamed around the globe, notably from the Barclays Premier League.
Mass protests by players was an increasingly common sight during the A-League season and scarred the end of the grand final.
Concerned that the example set from the game's domestic elite is provoking misbehaviour down the food chain, Buckley is to meet with clubs and the players' union to seek their co-operation in making changes.
But the specific captains-only option has already met resistance from the players' union, which is demanding a wider review of the refereeing structure including a fast-track for former players.
Buckley said the practicalities of the captains-only rule were being investigated "but we think the principle of it has real merit".
"We're looking at other ways where we can find a way to eliminate confrontation with the referees, and set an example at the elite level that allows the grassroots football community to attract and retain referees on a wider basis.
"Yes, all sport generates emotion on the pitch, but I am alarmed by what appears to be an 'acceptable' level of dissension in the game. We are looking at a range of initiatives, and part of it will be education and part how we enforce regulations.
"We've spoken to the federation CEOs and they've all acknowledged it's becoming harder and harder to recruit and retain referees. They're encouraging us to come up with ways to set a better example."
But PFA chief Brendan Schwab said that while the union wanted to address crowding of referees and dissent, adopting an Australia-specific solution was a dangerous path to go down.
"We would oppose importing a remedy from rugby because there are many practical problems with a rule limiting it to the captains," he said. "For example if the goalkeeper was a captain it would result in a further delay to play, which can exacerbate any emotional tension.
"A better approach is one being advocated by Gordon Taylor, of the English PFA, which is to investigate some form of a protective zone around the referee.
"It also needs to be part of a worldwide solution. We would be very concerned if the FFA were to implement a solution only for Australia."
Schwab said the issue raised questions over the ability of referees to perform within their current structure, where all have full-time jobs outside the game.
"There is no doubt the level of refereeing at certain critical moments of the season was not up to the standards now demanded by the players and the fans, which has focused on the need to invest more in the development of referees.
"Refereeing must be made a more attractive career path and a more attractive option for former players.
"We'd like to explore initiatives by which former players are encouraged to become referees and could be fast-tracked through the system."
Give A-League refs a break
By Tom Smithies
April 01, 2008 FOOTBALL chiefs are planning a crackdown on dissent against A-League referees, to headline a campaign against abuse of officials at all levels of the game.
Measures under consideration include a radical move to allow only team captains to communicate with referees, a rule borrowed directly from rugby union where dissent is simply not tolerated.
Football Federation Australia chief executive Ben Buckley, appalled by what he regards as the challenging of referees' authority, has asked his officials to canvass a range of measures, including the captains-only rule.
Other national associations are trialling similar initiatives in the wake of high-profile referee abuse beamed around the globe, notably from the Barclays Premier League.
Mass protests by players was an increasingly common sight during the A-League season and scarred the end of the grand final.
Concerned that the example set from the game's domestic elite is provoking misbehaviour down the food chain, Buckley is to meet with clubs and the players' union to seek their co-operation in making changes.
But the specific captains-only option has already met resistance from the players' union, which is demanding a wider review of the refereeing structure including a fast-track for former players.
Buckley said the practicalities of the captains-only rule were being investigated "but we think the principle of it has real merit".
"We're looking at other ways where we can find a way to eliminate confrontation with the referees, and set an example at the elite level that allows the grassroots football community to attract and retain referees on a wider basis.
"Yes, all sport generates emotion on the pitch, but I am alarmed by what appears to be an 'acceptable' level of dissension in the game. We are looking at a range of initiatives, and part of it will be education and part how we enforce regulations.
"We've spoken to the federation CEOs and they've all acknowledged it's becoming harder and harder to recruit and retain referees. They're encouraging us to come up with ways to set a better example."
But PFA chief Brendan Schwab said that while the union wanted to address crowding of referees and dissent, adopting an Australia-specific solution was a dangerous path to go down.
"We would oppose importing a remedy from rugby because there are many practical problems with a rule limiting it to the captains," he said. "For example if the goalkeeper was a captain it would result in a further delay to play, which can exacerbate any emotional tension.
"A better approach is one being advocated by Gordon Taylor, of the English PFA, which is to investigate some form of a protective zone around the referee.
"It also needs to be part of a worldwide solution. We would be very concerned if the FFA were to implement a solution only for Australia."
Schwab said the issue raised questions over the ability of referees to perform within their current structure, where all have full-time jobs outside the game.
"There is no doubt the level of refereeing at certain critical moments of the season was not up to the standards now demanded by the players and the fans, which has focused on the need to invest more in the development of referees.
"Refereeing must be made a more attractive career path and a more attractive option for former players.
"We'd like to explore initiatives by which former players are encouraged to become referees and could be fast-tracked through the system."
