Just thought I'd post something a little different. I would be very interested to hear anyone's stories of when they (as a player, coach or even a CAR) managed to outsmart the referee. Not necessarily examples of cheating, but stories of out-thinking or wrong footing the match officials.
Let me give my own example. About 20 years ago I was a club line at a Sunday League game in London. Our referee (who I won't name...he may still be officiating!) was a diminutive little guy, who we all nicknamed Mr Magoo, because of his obvious resemblance to the short sighted cartoon character. He was not the best ref in the world, and always seemed to want to come across as a much stronger, more dignified and imposing figure than he really was.
I was lining our defence, and the opposition put the ball in the net. I immediately had flagged for offside against the scorer. There was an out-cry from the other team, and they all pointed to a defender standing on the goal line. Magoo came over, and pointed out this player. I explained that I had seen him, but the keeper had come out and attempted to stop the guy crossing it, leaving this guy a the only opponent in front of the forward who "scored" (This was no cheat, that is what had actually happened, a situation I had wanted to see as a lino for about ten years).
I explained the situation. The ref looked, bemused: "But there's a defender on the line.." I spelled it out slowly that there needed to be TWO opponents back to play the striker onside. Magoo looked a bit worried. He was remembering the Law, but was obviously unsure if I was conning him, and how to explain his decision if he disallowed the goal. We had been talking for about a minute, and I could see him clearly deciding to take the easy way out and give the goal. Suddenly I was inspired. Very seriously, with no hint of a wind-up, I said: "look ref, don't worry, I can see it would be a really difficult thing to have to explain to the players. Forget it, just give the goal. No point looking for trouble." I had read my man right. Magoo drew himself up to his full height (about 5 ft 1'), put on a determined look, then without a word ran back and signaled for the indirect free kick!
Let me give my own example. About 20 years ago I was a club line at a Sunday League game in London. Our referee (who I won't name...he may still be officiating!) was a diminutive little guy, who we all nicknamed Mr Magoo, because of his obvious resemblance to the short sighted cartoon character. He was not the best ref in the world, and always seemed to want to come across as a much stronger, more dignified and imposing figure than he really was.
I was lining our defence, and the opposition put the ball in the net. I immediately had flagged for offside against the scorer. There was an out-cry from the other team, and they all pointed to a defender standing on the goal line. Magoo came over, and pointed out this player. I explained that I had seen him, but the keeper had come out and attempted to stop the guy crossing it, leaving this guy a the only opponent in front of the forward who "scored" (This was no cheat, that is what had actually happened, a situation I had wanted to see as a lino for about ten years).
I explained the situation. The ref looked, bemused: "But there's a defender on the line.." I spelled it out slowly that there needed to be TWO opponents back to play the striker onside. Magoo looked a bit worried. He was remembering the Law, but was obviously unsure if I was conning him, and how to explain his decision if he disallowed the goal. We had been talking for about a minute, and I could see him clearly deciding to take the easy way out and give the goal. Suddenly I was inspired. Very seriously, with no hint of a wind-up, I said: "look ref, don't worry, I can see it would be a really difficult thing to have to explain to the players. Forget it, just give the goal. No point looking for trouble." I had read my man right. Magoo drew himself up to his full height (about 5 ft 1'), put on a determined look, then without a word ran back and signaled for the indirect free kick!
