Introduction
In sports, there is typically a neutral player positioned between two competing teams, commonly observed in soccer, basketball, hockey, and American football. These individuals, known as neutral players, are expected to remain impartial during the game. However, there have been instances that raise questions about the fairness of officiating, particularly in football.
Is it reasonable to expect referees not to have a supporting team?
Referees should indeed be allowed to support a team, either within or outside the league they officiate. However, maintaining fairness and transparency has become a significant challenge, prompting the need for improvement.
This image is a screenshot made from the highlight video posted on arsenal's YouTube page
I'm writing this not solely due to issues with referee officials but because I believe there's room for enhancement. While recognizing the pressure referees might face during intense games, making drastic calls can adversely impact the teams involved.
It's assumed that before becoming an official referee in any league, individuals must undergo necessary procedures, including education on officiating and practical experience in lower divisions before earning promotions.
From another perspective, referees might lack the diversity to understand players better. The ability to read not only the game but also the players is crucial. Referees sometimes make poor decisions due to an inability to interpret player actions, highlighting the importance of diverse communication skills, especially in leagues with players from various linguistic backgrounds.
This image is a screenshot made from the highlight video posted on arsenal's YouTube page
Referees And VAR
The introduction of VAR was intended to improve the game by detecting incidents unnoticed by match officials. While VAR has proven useful, errors still occur due to referee and VAR official ignorance.
Referee's ignorance -
Referees occasionally choose not to consult VAR, asserting they saw the incident themselves. This, as seen in referees like Anthony Taylor, can lead to biased decisions.
VAR official's ignorance -
This is particularly frustrating, where a VAR official makes a drastic call despite clear evidence in the VAR footage.
These errors are human, not machine, errors, making it crucial to address these lapses in the system.
Some Poor Incidents
Numerous incidents, especially in the English Premier League, linger in memory. Notable examples include:
Arsenal VS Brentford 2022/23
An incident revealing the biased decisions of VAR officials, impacting the outcome of the game. Despite the VAR official's suspension, it raises questions about the effectiveness of apologies and sanctions in rectifying such situations.
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Manchester City VS Tottenham 2023/24
A questionable foul call by the referee during a late counter, altering the potential outcome of the match. The frustration is evident even from a neutral perspective.
Video Source
Liverpool VS Tottenham 2023/24
A disallowed goal due to a failed offside protocol, emphasizing the impact of poor officiating on team outcomes. Apologies may be issued, but they cannot recover lost points.
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While numerous instances of poor officiating exist, these examples illustrate the consequences for teams involved.
This image is a screenshot made from the highlight video posted on mancity's YouTube page
FA's Tough Decisions
In the absence of established rules, consistent problems arise, adversely affecting victims of poor officiating. The English FA's tendency to penalize teams for rule breaches contrasts with the seemingly lenient approach to referees.
Suspension serves as the primary punishment for referees, but the duration is often limited. Considering the financial repercussions for teams, fines could be an additional measure. Teams should be allowed to voice concerns when they fall victim to poor officiating without facing discrimination, as long as it is done respectfully.
In conclusion, there's a need for continuous improvement in officiating standards to ensure fairness and uphold the integrity of football competitions. Good luck in your fixtures against Luton Town tonight! COYG.