In the modern day football match it is common to see players and managers reacting furiously to an incorrect decision by an official. The levels of anger displayed are generally linked. For instance, an incorrect throw-in award is less dramatic compared to a penalty decision. But should this behaviour be allowed in what is now an entertainment business viewed by millions of people?

The RESPECT campaign that has been underway for some time appears to have done nothing for the relationship between players and officials and yet it has continued nonetheless. The people that dreamed up the idea of a scheme that doesn’t work while a game is being played are indeed in the clouds. There has been no change of consequence to a players actions and therefore has been rendered useless. When the scheme was produced, tougher rules should have been enforced from the go. No talking back or a yellow card, only the captain can speak to the referee etc.

The obvious thoughts are always how other sporting events deal with these problems, but this always causes friction. Many times this writer has had a debate with friends about implementing rules and regulations used in Rugby. Although in football, a more fast paced game, we wouldn’t be able to modify all of the rules, some can be used surely? How much easier would a game be to referee if he/she was able to continue the game following a correct decision?

I have learnt from many gangster movies over the years that respect is earnt and not just taken for granted. Officiating standards need to be improved in a sport where one goal can mean tens of millions to a club. This is where the debate moves on to helping referees do their job. Things like goal line technology needn’t be complex. People have developed ideas and options are available. The powers that be continue to be distracted by the fact all teams from the top tier to the lowest can’t incorporate this technology. But financially it doesn’t affect the lower teams as much and therefore should be considered. Sometimes you wonder if it will take an incorrect goal in a world cup final to gather the desired effect….not that its happened before……!

Organisations can drive on football to be the most competitive and at the same time most sporting game on the planet. Post match analysis of games can view incidents in the player’s control. An area that has been key in the last decade or so has been diving. Officials have a difficult job without having to work out if a player has gone down intentionally or not. What if a player could be suspended for 3 games if proven to have taken a dive? Would that not put them off? The heads of football across the world should look at reactive measures while the game still has these ongoing problems. But continually nothing is done.

To sum up, the officials in the game should be given more respect. From amateur all the way up to the top levels of the game, new referees are needed for the match to go ahead. The treatment of referees, however entertaining and ‘part of the game’ they are, is wrong and should be addressed. No one would want to become a referee in the current climate. Leading organisations can change this and make the referee the head teacher of the football pitch where his or her decision is final. This will enhance the game and stop officials being the easy target that they are. Technology can be utilised at the top levels of the game and can be a massive aid. Managers have been seeing incidents as soon as they have happened on monitors around the dugouts for many years now. If a referee had access to this and a correct decision was made, the game would be better for it.

The viewpoint from a non football fan is always that footballers are overpaid and spoilt and their conduct on a football field does little to address this. It would be good if the game was able to have a player who walked away from an incident, innocent or not, and got on with the game. Until drastic changes are made, it just won’t happen. Here’s hoping FIFA, UEFA and individual league association’s care about taking the game forward as much as us dedicated fans.



** Go to our FANZONE page and play/comment/upload and have fun with football on us: http://www.capstonesport.com/fanzone **

** Add us as a friend on facebook http://www.facebook.com/capstone.sport for a chance to play along with world football quiz questions and WIN Premier League tickets/trips and merchandise including signed Chelsea/Manchester United/Arsenal and Liverpool memorabilia and official EPL shirts!**

**Check out our new show to hit Nigeria soon: http://www.youtube.com/user/SportCapstone?feature=mhum#p/a/u/0/g9iv6nyPbL4**