Start a petition against the FA

This is a silly idea, referees are paid an absolute pittance and frankly I don't understand why anybody wants to work their way up through the ranks being abused for virtually no pay.
If we start paying them commensurate with their influence then maybe - but this policy as it stands would have the opposite effect of the one intended - even fewer people would want to deal with the aggravation and with fewer referees not only would there be a logistical problem, the standard would inevitably go down as well

I do accept that was a difficult one to compare, but it just so happens I do a boring job!!

Anyhow, I would no doubt come under scrutiny and even disciplinary action, given continued bad performance, but the difference between my job, your job, most people's job, and a referee's is that these discussions or disciplinaries would happen in private, between employee and employer.

Referees are subjected to public abuse. If you take the total of correct decisions made, they are not underperforming. Hell, if I got 98% of my decisions correct in my work every day, I'd be well on my way to partner!

There are countless times I disagree with a client's treatment when given a subjective item, and if they came back berating me as such, you can guarantee I'd be backed up by the firm.

Maybe that is the significant difference, I suppose; I am able to justify my decisions with detailed emails or phone calls or reports, whereas referees do not have that liberty...nor do accountants have to make snapshot decisions on game-changing matters! All in all, a bad comparison on my part.

I just think that they only way competent officiating is sustainable is through a continued talent pool willing to do the job - the bigger the better - and this won't continue if every referee we see is berated, not backed up, and not respected in the footballing world.

Anyway, I think the only real problem here is the way in which managers choose to air their grievance - in public, on TV, directly after the match - not the complaint itself. Maybe this happens out of frustration from the FA not acting on complaints when sent through "official" channels, maybe it's just out of said manger "losing his sh-t" in the heat of the moment. I don't know, but if it's the latter, I don't know anyone could complain about that manager being sanctioned.

I wouldn’t mind it if there could be more journalistic criticism of managers at the same time (as in, properly questioning them and their responses , rather than just trying to bait them into saying something controversial).

I think mangers have every right to criticize a refs performance, if it is deserving. Afterall, stupid decisions cost points, unfairly and decisively. Refs run around throwing yellow cards at players who question a decision, left, right and centre! Power has went to their head. Too many refs try to be involved in the game too much and thats not what They re there for.

comment by meltonblue (U10617)
posted 1 hour, 5 minutes ago
I wouldn’t mind it if there could be more journalistic criticism of managers at the same time (as in, properly questioning them and their responses , rather than just trying to bait them into saying something controversial).
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The press are the lowest common denominator in this and let’s face it journalistic integrity and standards are shockingly lacks.

Lax even

You will be advocating next that players and managers should also be fined for having bad games too. Refs are part of the game just as much as the players. They also don't get it right all the time. I was playing a match once and I told the ref that he was having a mare of a game and he just quietly told me that although he respected by opinion he still thought he was having a better game than I was. Fair dos.

I won't be signing a petition. If the day ever comes that players stop cheating, diving, appealing for every throw-in, feigning injury, then I'll criticise the refs.
But I don't see these 'sportsmen' doing that anytime soon.

meltonblue (U10617) and manusince52 (U9692) restoring my faith in this forum to put forward sensible, logical points!