Faithless wrote:I know we're in the world cup forum but I'd add the lack of strong refereeing is a major problem in the the prem and football in general. I can't think of a sport other that football were the ref is treated with such regular ridicule and lack of respect by players and coaches. If a player gives a ref a mouthful or waves and imaginary card, book em, if they feign injury book em, don't retreat from a free kick book em etc the culture would soon change
I completely agree mate, however, the referees are stuck in a hard place.
Not only are the governing bodies creating more grey areas for the refs with things such as simulation, offside, VAR and the like, but they are not giving them the powers to carry out on field sanctions.
It should be simple - if you argue a decision any more than reasonably (like a 'come on ref' or something mildly reactive) then it's a yellow.
If you appear to have been simulating injury - an instant yellow. Same for diving, timewasting and any form of circumventing the rules.
Problem is, as long as it's not in the laws of the game, the referees don't have the power and therefore will always be under scrutiny from fans, media, players and watching their own backs with performance assessments based on these lax rules.
The only way to change it, is to create a culture of sportsmanship and to stamp out all this ****, absolutely.
I've also said for some time that for all footballers it should be mandatory for them to take and pass a level 1 refereeing course in order to renew their professional licenses.