Why referees must be tough.

    An ugly incident this past week shows in the clearest of lights why referees must be tough when the Laws of the Game have been seriously violated.  In the case in point, one player was knocked unconscious and ended up in hospital, the referee who gave the assailant only a yellow card for the foul was dropped from the Premiership, and the criminal player faces charges from the F.A., is being investigated by the police for assault, and has been punished by his own club.

    On Wednesday (August 23) Manchester City and Portsmouth played to a scoreless draw in the Premiership.  By all accounts it was a dull game whose most significant incident was a foul in the 48th minute by Ben Thatcher on Pedro Mendes of Pompey.  The city defender charged into Mendes at full speed with his forearm raised, which knocked the Portuguese midfielder in the head.  The City player was sent flying off the pitch, skidding into the advertising boards, unconscious. 
    Image of Mendes unconscious and being treated (from BBC) below:
    “The moment was terrible,” Mendes said, “...I do not remember anything after that until I was in hospital.  It is the worst thing that has ever happened to me in my career.” 
    Mendes spent the night in hospital after he was carried off the field, insensible and twitching.  Although he was released on Thursday, he will still have to be under medical, including neurological, supervision for the next week before he will be allowed to play again.  His opponent Thatcher is said to be distraught about the consequences of his challenge, as well he should be.  He is going to have to face the F.A. over the incident, and possibly police action.
    His own manager, Stuart Pearce, cagey when first interviewed after the match, has since said after seeing the replay, that the challenge “..was indefensible.  The more you watch it, the worse it gets.”  Harry Redknapp, the Portsmouth boss described the foul as “..one of the worst incidents I’ve ever seen in the game.  Let’s be honest, it was brutal.”
    The sad thing is that Referee Dermot Gallagher didn’t see it quite so seriously and only cautioned Thatcher for the foul, which was worthy of a dismissal, by every account of the incident I have read.  I have seen no interview of him and so I can’t report what he thinks about it.  But I know what the Premiership thinks.
    He has been dropped, even though he is one of the most experienced referees in that competition, and even though he was granted special dispensation and allowed to stay on after he had reached the retirement age.  He can still referee in the lower divisions.
    I have long believed that if faced with a tough situation in a game, the referee should make the most difficult decision.  In other words, don’t back away from doing the right thing.  That attitude will serve you well over your years, because you will develop a reputation for being courageous, a reputation that will prevent many bad things from happening.
    I’ll apply that principle to MLS in the next blog.

   

Comments

[Babu]

Methinks you'll talk about all the violent conduct which has been occurring in the MLS without punishment by officials on the field? It's taking the league to take action for anything to be done.

[chris]

I haven't actually seen the video, if anyone has a link to see the clip?

[Brian]

I can't find an online clip, but they've showed it on Fox Sports World Report on the Fox Soccer channel.

Mendes is running straight for the right touchline to clear the ball. Thatcher is running at full speed, coming from behind and to Mendes' left. They meet at the ball just inside the touchline, with Thatcher raising his forearm and elbowing Mendes across the jaw while running at full speed.

Mendes bounces off the pitch into the sideline ad boards, semi-concious and twitching. He was given oxygen on the ground, and taken straight to a hospital for observation.

Thatcher's speed when his elbow hits Mendes makes this the worst elbow incident I've seen in soccer - much worse than McBride's bloody face against Italy in the WC.

[Jeff]

It's been posted on YouTube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DTRaS7ffyWg

[Anonymous Person 456701234]

The other day, another anonymous referee (this particular referee asked to remain anonymous, hence I will not divulge their anonymous person numeric identifier) to list my top 5 referees in the history of the United States.
It's not easy, and I have left off some big-wigs. I apologize in advance to those outstanding officials who did not make this list.

1.) Brian Hall - The best ever. Period. WC 02 and his entire body of work speaks for itself. He's the best. Don't deny it. Wisdom, understanding of the game from a player's viewpoint, and an unfailing habit of doing everything by the book and in accordance with The Laws of the Game (along with common sense). Integrity is his middle name (OK, I doubt it is, but it sounds cool.)

2.)Angelo Bratsis - You got it, old school all the way. Total control combined with common sense and a bit of humor. Add in a booming voice and you've got one awesome referee. He was one of the best, which also makes him one of the best teachers.

3.) Tim Weyland - He's back and the proof is in the assignments. The guy has taken off 6-7 years from high level refereeing and he should be 2006 MLS Referee of the Year. Incredible field presence, complete control of the game and his own emotions, and an attitude that oozes "don't even think of messing with me." We all just wish he had as swanky and suave of a mustache as his brother.

4.)Sandra Hunt - This anonymous referee doesn't like to separate referees into "men" and "women" referees. We are all referees regardless of gender. Ms. Hunt is a pillar of professionalism, dedication, committment, and desire to make those around her better. Like Hall, Ms. Hunt's work over her career speaks for itself. If you've had the pleasure of working a match with Ms. Hunt, consider yourself lucky.

5.) Heinz Wolmerath - "The best referee to never make FIFA" was how one administrator described him once. Mr. Wolmerath was an excellent referee - and as with Bratsis - he is a great instructor and mentor. The referees that have been produced in Cal-South with his help are some of the best around.

I hope all that you enjoyed my list. I was reluctant to release it, but I figured since I'm getting old and near the end of the road, what the heck.

[alberto]

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