Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I think money probably does have to be part of it. Refs should be taking their job seriously, because setting aside winning and losing, kids get hurt when they don’t. I watched a game yesterday where one team flagrantly tripped the other, body checked like it was a hockey game, and stomped on a goalie when he was on the ground with the ball in his possession. Not a single penalty called on any of it, which meant that team’s behavior only got worse as the game went on. Two kids from the opposing team, including the goalie, were knocked out of the game with injuries in the first half, but the refs simply did not care.
We need better people than that on the field. If we have to pay more to get them, so be it.
You’re part of the problem.
How is pp the problem here? Player safety should be a top priority when these kids go out onto the field, more so than winning or losing. If there is a team on the field that is out of control and their coach isn't addressing it, the refs are the only people out there with the authority to do so. There is literally nothing the other team can do but play and risk serious injury, or walk off the field and forfeit. That is not a choice that a team playing safely and appropriately should have to make, particularly not when there adults on the field who not only are empowered to, but are responsible for, maintaining control over play on the field.
I won't pretend I don't get frustrated with a ref who never calls offsides or who misses a handball, but I keep my mouth shut about that because I recognize it's not an easy job and there is a lot going on out there for them to keep track of. I also understand that the refs are not always going to see every trip. But there is no excuse for repeatedly ignoring player safety over the course of the game as it continues to escalate to a dangerous point. The kids out there are counting on the adults to do the right thing, and that needs to be taken seriously by everyone, including the refs.
Obviously the problem starts with the coaches, because they shouldn't allow their players to behave like that to begin with. But in practice there is almost nothing anyone can do unless the refs are willing to impose consequences for coaches not doing their jobs. No club is going to a fire a coach because some other club complained about the team's conduct. If a team starts losing games because penalties and cards are assessed regularly for dangerous play, though, clubs are more likely to hold those coaches accountable.