Referees – failed footballers, underpaid and unappreciated

The cliché regarding referees goes something like this: a referee only officiates a game because he is not good enough to play the game. There is certainly some truth to this cliché. However, it could be that referees have taken to officiating games because they are passionate about the game and would rather take an active part in the match than watch from the sidelines. In any case, not many would buy the argument that the referee is there to ruin the mood of players and fans alike.

Of course, most referees must have grown up dreaming about being the star players of the best football teams. Alas, not every dream comes true and many will choose to stand in the picket line when the forward line does not cater to them. Refereeing is, however, a tough job that requires great character, intelligence and the knack of spotting things when they go wrong.

Footballers are adept at disguise and theirs is not to question. It is hardly surprising then that they will train hard, practice deception (albeit to fool the opponents and not the refs) and will argue and spit fire when accused of doing things like fouling opponents or otherwise trying to gain unfair advantage.

Referees are also at a disadvantage in that the star players in a team earn so much money that they feel like they are a law unto themselves, need protection and should be believed whenever they proclaim their innocence. Referees have a task job to perform. With things happening at great speed and stakes so high it is indeed very difficult to get things right all the time.

Some amount of respect is due to these officials who have an unenviable job to do. It goes without saying that the referee has to do things and not expect any appreciation or thanks in return. The task is tricky and referees and their assistants also deserve some amount of sympathy from players and fans alike.

When a star is handed punishment for an offence it is always a big deal for them. Not liking the boss is common to all walks of life and football is no exception. The football clubs, the FA and every television and radio channel that broadcasts football events are the ones that are raking in the money. Officials, assistants and others involved in running the nitty-gritty of the game are left with a gripe.

There is no denying that these groups of people are never given the appreciation that they deserve, and they are also underpaid as well. Being underpaid might mitigate things to a certain degree because everybody gives the referee a lot of rope when they get things wrong.

Imagine what would be the reaction of players and fans should a highly paid referee make a wrong decision. With instant replays and modern technology putting every act on the football field under microscopic scrutiny the lot of a referee would be even more difficult than it already is.