About time some of it filtered more into refereeing then, if so much rides on their decision making.
I think the top level salaries and grassroots match fees are ok and don’t stop people from getting involved
It’s a hugely competitive field to attract young people into the profession to maximise the numbers at grassroots so the experts can rise to the top from an ever increasing pool rather than an ever decreasing pool
so what can investment provide and what is the problem?
The problem for me is more people give up than take up officiating annually, reduces the pool top officials come from leading to inconsistent performances
There’s probably something more here about why people give up? Some get bored, some only wanted to earn a bit of money outside of education / university, intimidation or abuse. Are there more?
Also is it true that our top refs are inconsistent evidentially?
Its absolutely true that media and top managers are putting greater emphasis on how decisions affect their professional lives
The second statement doesn’t make the first statement true
The only thing fa and those involved in football can do anything about is abuse in terms of officials staying in the game? That’s what I think, what do others?
If I’m correct in my assumptions money isn’t the issue it’s top level behaviour and how this is dealt with and how this filters down to lower levels of the game and probably ensuring that expectations are high and amy stepping out of them is dealt with consistently and clearly
Most managers at the top level have families, manage relationships and behave appropriately in all areas of their lives. When it comes to football some managers and players do not and behave like spoilt children.(haaland’s reaction to advantage)
At the top level (apart from in Turkey!!!) you’d never see physical assaults but we all know that there is an escalation process from mild disagreement through to beating the hell out of someone
I’m certain behaviour at the top level impacts the abuse grassroots ref receive.
I’m also certain that transactional analysis is real and actions and behaviours of refs draws or repels behaviour from those in the game
So use of sin bin, yc, rc, bans, communicating and explaining etc etc
As a dad of a 15-16 year old a majority of coaches and players from u12 up to adult football have been brilliant
What lets down grassroots football is a minority of those adults involved (parents and coaches) lose their mind when it comes to football.
So solution to the problem is nuanced and multi faceted
Better initial training for new refs
Mentors and sponsors for all u18 refs
Promotion pathways to encourage and raise expectations
Ongoing mandatory development not just for some but for all
Respect agenda meaning something in youth football
Parents acting like adults
Coaches acting like adults
Adults acting like adults
Transparency of decision making in private not public
Full strategy involving all parts of our game to identify problem/s, brainstorm solutions and take the game forward together.
I keep seeing football can’t happen without officials but officials don’t have a role without football so it cuts both ways. We don’t want kids and adults being assaulted and verbally intimidated but also we don’t want games ruined with crazy changes to the game without discussion or wrong decisions not being identified and reduced and learned from
Gosh I’m boring