With Soccer, 'foot ball in England,' you'd best expect it.
nuff said...keep up the good work!
Reminds me of the one and only time I "volunteered" to ref one of my kids little guy football games. Coach screaming in one ear and a parent in the other...turned to them and said "I'm the volunteer Dad for the day, you're more than welcome to have the vest and whistle". They both shut up pretty quickly.
Reff'ed for 35 years and you learn to shut it out. 17 "Laws" govern footie and you didn't write them you just have to know when to react, or not react, on the Pitch. Youth Soccer Mom's are the worst!
In training Youth Ref's were instructed to keep there mouth shut as they officiated. Up to a point, probably good advise. Some of my fav games were youth Tournie's where a lot of Officials were teenagers. All of these games would have a Sr. Official assigned as a linesman, now called an Asst. Referee. Amazing what an adult, and I use that word loosely rolling my eyes, would say to a teenage ref. Each team had 80-90 minutes to win/loose and it was rare a 'call' had any impact on the final out come. Remember two, the teams on the field were doing fine as was the young ref, where I had to step in and
eject (twice) a Coach or a 'Parent.'
Interesting to look back over thousands of games from holding a 7 year old who'd taken a hell of a tumble to a full scale riot in the side lines. First had twisted his ankle, that bleeding hurts! They can shed a gallon of tears.
The second the teams (Sonoma County, CA) were having a good match and hardly ever blew my whistle (this you like!). Some 'fan' tossed a full beer can and hit one of the players in the back of the head ... he was off like a shot. To the two teams: GO GET HIM AND DRAG HIM BACK HERE! I suspect every Police Officer in 10 miles was on that field in side of 10 minutes.
Two teams, including the Coach's/Sub's, sat calmly in the center circle as I stood over them. When it came to reffing Hispanic teams I was often assigned to 'This could be interesting.' Player's soon learned not one messed with me, I was
very quick with my "Yellow Card."
Obviously questioned by CHP and told the fellow 'These guys have been mellow as Church Mice on the field.' Obviously had to tell him what started it, "But if I had been hit in the back my head with a full beer can I probably would have reacted the same.' He laughed, turns out he was also on a team that I'd reffed on several occasions.
Quite resumed, several arrests, and we continued the Match.
Edit: I probably should say I did accept a very cold can of Bud after the game. GOD that tasted good; wife types made 'Mexican Food' and that was even better.
