I play football and rugby. I also watch both sports. I think there's a difference between verbally disagreeing with a decision and being abusive. I work in a call center and we're trained to recognise that the customer isn't always swearing at you, more the information. How is that a f-ing foul is different to how is that a foul you c**t. One is frustration the other is personal abuse. So I think to have this as a goto will result in more frustration than anything else. In my (nearly) 30 years of playing, watching, coaching and reffing rugby and nearly 40 years for the same with football.... the main difference is that (in my experience anyway) the ref in rugby, will explain what he/she has seen and what they expect to see to prevent further infringements. Whereas the football refs will say its a free-kick go away. And just repeat that. We as rugby refs are open to making a mistake and changing our decision is needed, football refs aren't. So it seems to me, to be more respect is given to players in rugby than football, so the players in football, will not give the refs there the same level of respect as rugby refs.
I think this is understandable and it is def fixable.
I also think that the football refs have the tools they need. They just need to apply them, I give you an example2, based on how a conversation would go ATM.
Defender fouls attacker, ref blows up. Defender goes, how's that a f-ing foul. Go away it was a foul. Player gets more frustrated, come-on to f*ck how? Ref repeats what she said, player then goes oh for f*cks sake, ref has had enough. YC. The cycle repeats due to the YC. Now the ref should issue 1 final warning, you're using abusive language calm down or I will issue you another Yellow card. Then follow through. (2 YCs make a red like with Rugby).
Now this is the level of communication I have witnessed in hundreds of games I've played in or watched at grass routes level. Most of this could be negated by better comms from the ref.
Defender fouls attacker, ref blows up. Defender goes, how's that a f-ing foul. (We've started the same way). Ref replies, you slid in uncontrollable. This is, in my opinion dangerous/reckless. So I've penalised you for it. Player might not be happy still and won't dispel some continued objections, but will dispel a lot.
www.walesonline.co.uk
