Gamesmanship within the Game Itself
| The greatest gamesmanship enemy that the Referee confronts in nearly every game - is the gamesmanship of society's influence. Continuing lowering standards have increased the ways in which the Referee can be targeted, abused and influenced. Verbal accosting, and the so called 'factory language' (the acceptance of impolite language) have crept in to everyday society to such an extent, that the Referee must ignore most of the bad things that are said to him during most games. Players have become very adept at trying to "get their opponents' into trouble" by haranguing the Referee and asking for opponents to be cautioned. Referees should consider cautioning such acts as unsporting behavior - but how many times has this happened? |
"The football fraternity is no place for Angels. The game sits more comfortably in Hell!".
Players will take every possible opportunity to undermine the authority of the Referee during the game. Many instances are seen of players claiming to the Referee that opponents have broken the Law. The Referee is the decider in all cases of Law, and should not be influenced by opinions from lesser knowledgeable bodies! Moaning players should be asked to refrain from such outbursts. In other words, they should be told (not figuratively) "to get back inside their box".
Deliberate handball is another trait that players have become 'canny' at disguising. Players who score goals by deliberately handling the ball have no qualms in refuting any suggestions that they cheated. And are happy for the Referee to allow the goal, when they know perfectly well that they have deceived the Referee. This is the sad mentality that the Referee 'is up against'. Match officials can no longer rely on the integrity of players when match incidents are concerned. On the contrary, as far as cheating and gamesmanship is concerned - Referees now expect players to try and 'get away’ with what they can. It has been going on for years in every sport - and will continue for years more.
Diving is another modern curse. Attackers over-emphasizing and exaggerating tackles made on them by defenders in the defenders' penalty area, in the hope that the Referee will award them a penalty - is another facet to look out for. Conversely, during the award of nearly every penalty, the perpetrator always vents his innocence to the Referee in some degree or another (no matter how blatant the penalty was). Players’ exaggerating the effect of physical contact is another wart. Players deliberately running into opponents, in the hope that an indirect free kick for impedance will be awarded to them are yet another obstruction!.
"The sweet facial expression of innocent children, are nothing compared to the "What me?" facial expressions seen in every game on players' faces when they are punished by the Referee for
committing a misdemeanor."
"Surely not me Ref.? (Finger pointing to their own chest). "I never touched him, honestly". This look of innocence cannot be bettered anywhere else - and is pure subtle gamesmanship used to try and influence the Referee. But we are not quite that daft - are we? I cannot help smiling at such nativity.
Courtesy Julian Carosi
