Murri O
Well-Known Member
Refereeing whinge.
Obviously can't stop progress but because of the cheap availability of video software all of the first grade and reserve grade games in the town I'm in are all now recorded by the clubs. Of course that means all match incidents can now be screenshotted or sent as little video clips to all the team group chats to crucify you for any decision you made in error. It sucks because, obviously, I'm not a robot impervious to making mistakes.
In the old days it was just your word against there's and consigned to last weeks memories. Now they live on forever.
Making it worse there is no opportunity to defend yourself if you disagree with what they're saying because (a) I'm not in those group chats and (b) they wouldn't believe you anyway. (I know it's happening because some of the players have told me.) It's also problematic because I referee in a town of about 80 thousand people and pretty much all of the players know who you are. (I.E. I'm never turning up at a game where I haven't done one or both of the teams before.)
Obviously this circle jerk / echo chamber where they all pile on makes it extremely difficult when you next referee them. Particularly if you stuff up. (Which of course you inevitably will.)
A perfect example was a series of screenshots they took to show player A 'deliberately' elbowing player B in the head. But I've watched the video and player A backs back to try and head the ball from the GK kick. (Incident occurs at the half way line). At no stage does he look behind himself to 'deliberately' elbow the defender who jumps at the same time and cops an elbow in the side of the head because as he jumps his arm pushes player A's arm up which then smacks into player B's head.
Of course a single or series of screenshots from that one 0.5 sec interaction doesn't show anything that happens beforehand and/or how. Not that that matters anyway because all the players are sharing these selective screenshots and slagging me (and presumably other referees in other games) off.
Sure Murri but if you can't stand the heat get out of the fire. And that's all well good but I do enjoy the challenge and responsibility of doing these higher levels games. It is what it is I guess.
Not sure what the point of the above ranting was about. I have no one to complain to except the wife and she's over it so just wanted to vent a bit here. It's depressing sometimes and it really makes you think about whether you want to go on with it.
Obviously can't stop progress but because of the cheap availability of video software all of the first grade and reserve grade games in the town I'm in are all now recorded by the clubs. Of course that means all match incidents can now be screenshotted or sent as little video clips to all the team group chats to crucify you for any decision you made in error. It sucks because, obviously, I'm not a robot impervious to making mistakes.
In the old days it was just your word against there's and consigned to last weeks memories. Now they live on forever.
Making it worse there is no opportunity to defend yourself if you disagree with what they're saying because (a) I'm not in those group chats and (b) they wouldn't believe you anyway. (I know it's happening because some of the players have told me.) It's also problematic because I referee in a town of about 80 thousand people and pretty much all of the players know who you are. (I.E. I'm never turning up at a game where I haven't done one or both of the teams before.)
Obviously this circle jerk / echo chamber where they all pile on makes it extremely difficult when you next referee them. Particularly if you stuff up. (Which of course you inevitably will.)
A perfect example was a series of screenshots they took to show player A 'deliberately' elbowing player B in the head. But I've watched the video and player A backs back to try and head the ball from the GK kick. (Incident occurs at the half way line). At no stage does he look behind himself to 'deliberately' elbow the defender who jumps at the same time and cops an elbow in the side of the head because as he jumps his arm pushes player A's arm up which then smacks into player B's head.
Of course a single or series of screenshots from that one 0.5 sec interaction doesn't show anything that happens beforehand and/or how. Not that that matters anyway because all the players are sharing these selective screenshots and slagging me (and presumably other referees in other games) off.
Sure Murri but if you can't stand the heat get out of the fire. And that's all well good but I do enjoy the challenge and responsibility of doing these higher levels games. It is what it is I guess.
Not sure what the point of the above ranting was about. I have no one to complain to except the wife and she's over it so just wanted to vent a bit here. It's depressing sometimes and it really makes you think about whether you want to go on with it.
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