Two points from the weekend:
Although I believe I had a reasonable game (prospects not much helped by the elements, an increasingly sticky pitch, and my haphazard tearing of a tenner right down the middle while exchanging cash...), one or two issues did arise.
1) Towards the end of the match, I had to disallow an away goal (2-0 to home team at the time) for offside. I hadn't seen the flag till very late, which meant players were already celebrating/retreating to halfway, and then I had to confirm with the CAR that he had indeed flagged for that reason. However, since I had a sizeable distance to run to get into position (with arm raised, yet no whistle blown), I took my eye off the free-kick for a brief moment. The next thing I know, the ball has been launched up the pitch, an attacker is chasing it, and I'm sprinting in that direction! In retrospect, I think I should have ordered a retake, as I had no way of knowing the kick was taken legally etc. That aside, is this a scenario where the kick would always be on the whistle for you? I've read on here that referees have been known to ask the keeper/defender to wait for them while they retreat. I'll remember that next time!
2) This may be controversial, but what are your thoughts on whether CARs should receive a small proportion of the referee's match fee, qualified or not? Obviously this is unlikely to be feasible at an official level, but I often feel the number of times you look to them for throw-ins, offside etc. is enough to warrant a token gesture. Some are more amenable than others, of course! And yes, they can be more hindrance than help on occasion.
Although I believe I had a reasonable game (prospects not much helped by the elements, an increasingly sticky pitch, and my haphazard tearing of a tenner right down the middle while exchanging cash...), one or two issues did arise.
1) Towards the end of the match, I had to disallow an away goal (2-0 to home team at the time) for offside. I hadn't seen the flag till very late, which meant players were already celebrating/retreating to halfway, and then I had to confirm with the CAR that he had indeed flagged for that reason. However, since I had a sizeable distance to run to get into position (with arm raised, yet no whistle blown), I took my eye off the free-kick for a brief moment. The next thing I know, the ball has been launched up the pitch, an attacker is chasing it, and I'm sprinting in that direction! In retrospect, I think I should have ordered a retake, as I had no way of knowing the kick was taken legally etc. That aside, is this a scenario where the kick would always be on the whistle for you? I've read on here that referees have been known to ask the keeper/defender to wait for them while they retreat. I'll remember that next time!
2) This may be controversial, but what are your thoughts on whether CARs should receive a small proportion of the referee's match fee, qualified or not? Obviously this is unlikely to be feasible at an official level, but I often feel the number of times you look to them for throw-ins, offside etc. is enough to warrant a token gesture. Some are more amenable than others, of course! And yes, they can be more hindrance than help on occasion.