Kes
I'll Decide ...
Ever bluffed your way out of a tight spot/bad decision on the field? I have, luckily.
Thought I'd share with you an incident which took place for me a few weeks back.
County League Premier Division match. Tight game, atrocious weather, the score is 0-0 at half time and there have been no KMI's or even cards. I've enjoyed the first 45 mins and come out for the second half knowing that it's probably going to be a single goal that settles this so I need to be "on my toes".
The second half is barely 10 seconds old when Home yellows are inside the Away red's penalty area. The attack breaks down and the ball is punted the length of the field into the opposite penalty area with both a defender and attacker giving chase. They both converge on the ball just inside the penalty area (GK has bottled it and stays on his line) and I clearly see the defender grab the attacker by the waist and pretty much fling him to the ground. I'm literally sprinting just over the half-way line at this point (well, it was a long clearance and I am 54!! ) but there is no doubting my own eyes. I blow the whistle long and loud and extend my arm to the penalty area. Howls of disbelief and amazement immediately ensue!!
As I'm rapidly closing the distance between myself and the incident, the full horror of what I've done suddenly hits me. Yep. Kes's refereeing brain hasn't yet had time to absorb the fact that it's now the second half, the teams are kicking opposite ways, the "defender" I saw wrestle his opponent to the ground is in fact the attacker and the stonewall penalty I've just awarded, is in fact meant to be a defensive free kick.
That sinking feeling begins to envelope me as I enter the penalty area and several Home team players angrily surround me telling me "You can't be serious ref - you've got that totally wrong!!" I'm glad of it really, the on-field noise helped to blot out the even worse noises coming from the sidelines (coaches, subs and spectators alike).
Fortunately, one of my bad habits as a referee is my tendency when blowing for a free kick, to immediately point on the turf to where the challenge took place whilst quickly explaining my decision before then almost simultaneously indicating the direction of the free kick with my other arm. It's something I've tried hard to get out of the habit of doing over the years but I still find myself doing it. It's not really a problem to be honest, except of course when it's inside the penalty area.
Anyway, realising my mistake and not wanting to look a complete and utter pratt (which by this time is pretty much inescapable) I simply adopt a puzzled demeanour and quizzical expression before saying "Guys, I think there's a bit of confusion here, I was pointing to where the foul took place - not because I've given a penalty!!" Cue a 3-4 second silence before Home team captain breathes a sigh of relief and says "Phew, sorry ref, we thought you'd proper done us over there". (Pats me on the shoulder, smiles and jogs away). Away team's would-be penalty taker smiles wryly, hands the ball to the home GK and also jogs away. Honour restored. Thanks to a bit of quick thinking by yours truly.
Notes to self: 1. Not all of my "bad habits" are necessarily bad. 2. Get your brain in order before you kick off the 2nd half!!
Incidentally, the match passed without further incident, no cards and finished 1-1 (neither of which were penalties).
Anybody else done something similar or worse?
Thought I'd share with you an incident which took place for me a few weeks back.
County League Premier Division match. Tight game, atrocious weather, the score is 0-0 at half time and there have been no KMI's or even cards. I've enjoyed the first 45 mins and come out for the second half knowing that it's probably going to be a single goal that settles this so I need to be "on my toes".
The second half is barely 10 seconds old when Home yellows are inside the Away red's penalty area. The attack breaks down and the ball is punted the length of the field into the opposite penalty area with both a defender and attacker giving chase. They both converge on the ball just inside the penalty area (GK has bottled it and stays on his line) and I clearly see the defender grab the attacker by the waist and pretty much fling him to the ground. I'm literally sprinting just over the half-way line at this point (well, it was a long clearance and I am 54!! ) but there is no doubting my own eyes. I blow the whistle long and loud and extend my arm to the penalty area. Howls of disbelief and amazement immediately ensue!!
As I'm rapidly closing the distance between myself and the incident, the full horror of what I've done suddenly hits me. Yep. Kes's refereeing brain hasn't yet had time to absorb the fact that it's now the second half, the teams are kicking opposite ways, the "defender" I saw wrestle his opponent to the ground is in fact the attacker and the stonewall penalty I've just awarded, is in fact meant to be a defensive free kick.
That sinking feeling begins to envelope me as I enter the penalty area and several Home team players angrily surround me telling me "You can't be serious ref - you've got that totally wrong!!" I'm glad of it really, the on-field noise helped to blot out the even worse noises coming from the sidelines (coaches, subs and spectators alike).
Fortunately, one of my bad habits as a referee is my tendency when blowing for a free kick, to immediately point on the turf to where the challenge took place whilst quickly explaining my decision before then almost simultaneously indicating the direction of the free kick with my other arm. It's something I've tried hard to get out of the habit of doing over the years but I still find myself doing it. It's not really a problem to be honest, except of course when it's inside the penalty area.
Anyway, realising my mistake and not wanting to look a complete and utter pratt (which by this time is pretty much inescapable) I simply adopt a puzzled demeanour and quizzical expression before saying "Guys, I think there's a bit of confusion here, I was pointing to where the foul took place - not because I've given a penalty!!" Cue a 3-4 second silence before Home team captain breathes a sigh of relief and says "Phew, sorry ref, we thought you'd proper done us over there". (Pats me on the shoulder, smiles and jogs away). Away team's would-be penalty taker smiles wryly, hands the ball to the home GK and also jogs away. Honour restored. Thanks to a bit of quick thinking by yours truly.
Notes to self: 1. Not all of my "bad habits" are necessarily bad. 2. Get your brain in order before you kick off the 2nd half!!
Incidentally, the match passed without further incident, no cards and finished 1-1 (neither of which were penalties).
Anybody else done something similar or worse?