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Sutton and District Referees Society

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Monday, June 19, 2006

World Cup Referees - Kewell hit by Fifa charge

Australia ace Harry Kewell has been charged by Fifa for insulting referee Markus Merk following their 2-0 defeat to Brazil.

Liverpool star Kewell is thought to have sworn at Merk in the aftermath of Sunday's 2-0 loss.

Kewell, who came off the bench in the game, was unhappy with Merk's officiating throughout the match and aimed a swipe at him.

Fifa have now decided to look into the incident and if found guilty Kewell could face a ban.

"Fifa have opened disciplinary procedures against Harry Kewell," said Fifa communications director Markus Siegler

"It was reported in the referee's report that he insulted the referee several times."

Kewell has until Tuesday to respond and if he is found guilty of misconduct he could miss his side's crucial last Group F game with Croatia.

Merk awarded 25 free-kicks to Brazil while Australia won only nine, but Kewell later defended the referee and said his behaviour after the final whistle was in the "heat of the moment".

"You're frustrated, you're losing the game, every referee puts up with it," said Kewell.

"I mean, it's part and parcel of the game. He knows there's no harm meant by it.

"You go out there and play so well against the world champions and you come off losing, whereas you think you should have come off with something. He understands that, that's the way it is.

"It was a hard match to referee, and he did a good job."

Sunday, June 18, 2006

World Cup


It is just before England v Brazil at the World Cup. Ronaldino goes into the Brazilian changing room to find all his teammates looking a bit glum.
"What's up?" he asks.
"Well, we're having trouble getting motivated for this game. We know it's important but it's only England. They're sh*te and we can't be bothered".
Ronaldino looks at them and says "Well, I reckon I can beat these by myself, you lads go down the pub."
So Ronaldino goes out to play England by himself and the rest of the Brazilian team go off for a few jars.
After a few pints they wonder how the game is going, so they get the landlord to put the teletext on. A big cheer goes up as the screen reads "Brazil 1 - England 0 (Ronaldino 10 minutes)".
He is beating England all by himself!
Anyway, a few more pints later and the game is forgotten until someone remembers "It must be full time now, let's see how he got on". They put the teletext on.

"Result from the Stadium"
Brazil 1 (Ronaldino 10 minutes) - England 1 (Owen 89 minutes)".

They can't believe it, he has single handedly got a draw against England!!
They rush back to the Stadium to congratulate Ronaldino.
They find him in the dressing room, still in his gear, sat with his head in his hands.
He refuses to look at them. "I've let you down, I've let you down." "Don't be daft, you got a draw against England, all by yourself. And they only scored at the very, very end!"

"No, No, I have, I've let you down... I got sent off after 12 minutes"


Monday, June 05, 2006

Failing World Cup refs face axe

Referees' chief Keith Hackett says officials who fail to implement Fifa's eight-point hit-list will be ruthlessly dealt with at this summer's World Cup.

Fifa has told referees to get tough on several high-profile areas of concern, including diving and time-wasting.

Hackett told BBC Sport: "Referees know where they stand and are expected to carry out the rules Fifa has declared.

"If a referee doesn't carry out these instructions his chances of getting a second game are somewhat remote."

The International Football Association Board - football's ultimate law-making body - met in early March and told referees to clamp down on elbowing, reckless tackling, shirt pulling, time-wasting and diving.

It also urged referees to be vigilant over behaviour in the wall at free-kicks, players wearing jewellery and the attitude towards officials.

Elbowing and reckless tackling will result in straight red cards and Hackett, head of the Professional Game Match Officials Board (PGMOB), believes Fifa's clear guidelines will cut down on confusion for referees, fans and players.

He said: "When the referees' committee of Fifa says 'these are the various areas we want you to take on board and deal with in a very firm and consistent manner' then they will be highlighted and referees will be expected to perform.

"There is accountability; if a referee does not perform he is likely to be sent home - and it's as harsh as that."

Despite the clampdown, Hackett does not expect the new guidelines to lead to a spate of red and yellow cards because of the way the new instructions have been handled.

"There will be very tight control as to how referees operate. Fifa has gone down the eight areas of concern route so that players fully understand what is expected of them," explained Hackett.

The need for consistency is vital. Fifa president Sepp Blatter said it is paramount there is better refereeing in 2006 than in the 2002 tournament in Japan and South Korea.

With that in mind, the 23 World Cup referees have been meeting regularly in the build-up to ensure they are all of the same mindset.

Hackett stated: "In bringing the referees together like this and having them reside in one venue during the World Cup, the mode of operation is very tight and it's easier to get consistency.

"The aim is to get a uniformity to interpretation and that is easier in a tournament environment."

Fifa hopes the meticulous preparation will mean the usual cries of inconsistent refereeing and confusion over the application of laws do not plague Germany 2006.

In previous tournaments many games have finished with 10 against 11, or worse, but Hackett is confident the powers-that-be have done all they can to get their message across.

However, he warned coaches that they still have a big responsibility to make sure their players know exactly what to expect.

"The referees' committee will meet with the managers and coaches again and it's incumbent on the coaching staff to talk to their players and prepare them," he said.

Hackett is also convinced that England players - and English-based players - have an advantage because Premiership referees have been following the guidelines all season.

"The list shows some of the things we have focused on and worked on with the Professional Footballers' Association to improve the game in England," he said.

"We have worked hard with players and managers in England so average cards per game is about three.

"In the opening games of the World Cup that is likely to be higher because of the vigilance of referees and the fact that players and managers are under close scrutiny.

"But these are the most stringent areas of preparation that referees have been put through for a World Cup. There has been a lot of behind-the-scenes work."