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Last week I had an evening off, so I decided to go to a local match with my brother-in-law. There was no stand, no seating area and no cover from the elements. Thankfully, it didn’t rain, although it was quite windy.
We stood leaning over the railing surrounding the pitch with about 10 other hardy souls and settled in to watch the contest.
This wasn’t by any means a professional match where huge stakes were involved. It was a local amateur game in every sense of the word. Both teams were from the area and, apart from the three points to be gained from a win, there were also “bragging rights”.
The referee arrived and proceeded to get the teams organised for pre-match inspection. You know what I’m talking about if you’re involved in football.
The team sheets, the colours the participants wear to make sure they don’t clash, and the keepers’ jerseys to make sure there was no similarity with either team or the referee were checked.
The players trundled on to the field to prepare for the start. The referee was already there and I was somewhat surprised to find that there were no assistants running the line, let alone the additional assistant referees – those guys who stand at the goal with an electronic “stick”.
It took me back many years to a time when I started refereeing. At most games, we didn’t have the extra help they now have.
Then, as on this occasion, the ref had to do everything himself. He ran up and down the field, and controlled the game to the best of his ability given the limited resources he had at his disposal.
He got most of the offsides correct, since he was alone without the help of assistants, and, for the most part, the players accepted that he was doing his best and didn’t protest too much when an offside was blown against their team.
What’s this column all about and why am I even writing about a ref whistling a game on his own?
In Uefa matches, there are six, yes I said six, match officials controlling one game – the referee, his two assistants, his two additional assistants (the guys who stand at the goal) and the fourth official.
The English Premier League will start using it from next season in all senior matches.
We already have the goal-line technology whereby referees wear a watch-type implement on their wrist that alerts them when the whole of the ball has crossed over the goal line between the goalposts and under the crossbar.
This seems to have been successful with little or no protests from players when it is invoked. The VAR is still in its infancy and is in need of some refining.
I’m not sure what the problem is with this apparatus, or rather the use of it.
Rugby has no problem with it, tennis and cricket have no problem with it, why soccer?
The point I’m trying to make is this – are we becoming too technical with our game?
A former West Ham and England manager once said that “football is a simple game – let’s keep it simple.”
The late Ron Greenwood who uttered those immortal words must be turning in his grave at what is happening today.
Is it time to get back to basics?
Happy whistling!
sports@citypress.co.za
Follow me on Twitter @dr_errol
