I read in the Sunday newspapers that my favourite Frenchman,
Arsène Wenger, Manager of Arsenal, has found a new reason for all the red and yellow cards that his players have been collecting since the start of the season.
According to Monsieur Wenger, whose team sits at the bottom of the Fair Play League, it is because of the introduction of professional referees into the Premiership. It is his contention that being full-time referees has divorced them from reality, encouraging them to apply the Laws too strictly and discouraging the use of their common sense. 'If you isolate them', he says, 'it is only them and the rules (Laws). On the other band, when you have a job outside football, you are more in touch with the people who watch the
game'.
Isn't it odd that for many years football club managers campaigned constantly for league referees to be full-time
professionals?
As an example, back in 1965 when Roy Bentley was manager of Reading FC, he called for professional referees in his weekly newspaper column. Don Revie, when manager of Leeds, asked the
club's directors to demand at the next meeting of the Football League that referees be made professional. It is perhaps not surprising when you look back, that you see these outbursts were made after some controversial refereeing decision. Roy Bentley's call, for instance, came after one of his players had been cautioned for kicking the ball into the crowd. All the fault of the 'amateur' referee as was the ensuing pitch invasion by some Reading supporters.
In Don Revie's case, it was after Leeds had squandered a seven point lead at the top of the old First Division and then were beaten by a goal from the West Bromwich Albion centre forward, Jeff Astle, who sadly died last week. Leeds fans invaded the pitch and pelted the referee and linesman without condemnation from Mr Revie. All because the referee was not a full-time professional.
One of the oft quoted reasons for having full-time officials was that they would be fitter. Well, top referees have been very fit for some years. The Cooper Test first introduced for international referees has spread and, even way down the pyramid of leagues in this country, referees have to pass a fitness test before they are allowed to officiate.
One of the other allegations made was that referees, when they got to work on a Monday morning, would start boasting how they had dealt with various well-known players but
Arsène Wenger feels that referees should have to face questions from workmates such as 'why did you give that penalty?'.
This season, after a year or two of negotiations, the FA announced that fifteen of its elite officials would be paid a retainer of £30,000. In return the referees are expected to attend fortnightly review seminars at which they receive extra fitness training and watch videos of their matches. The objective is to see how they can improve their decisions and overall control in the future. This is what Arsene Wenger feels has made them less tolerant in their approach.
The truth is that few of these referees have given up their day job. With only a two-year contract, many fear it would jeopardise their family's future to commit themselves entirely to football. Instead they have withdrawn from other commitments such as speaking at Referee Association meetings. Most of them therefore have that job which
Arsène Wenger feels would help their outlook on the game.
Another excuse gone then for Arsenal's appalling record. Perhaps as a last resort he might try disciplining those players found guilty of misconduct.
Dick Sawdon Smith