The refereeing fraternity have been gathering in Pretoria this week to brush up for the new season – testing both their knowledge and fitness ahead of next month’s kick off of the Premier Soccer League’s competition.
There are 80-odd match officials who will be going through their paces, both on the training track and in the classroom with the best then designated to handle the most important games ahead.
Each season, the International Football Association Board –- the body that controls the Laws of the Game – issue a few modifications that referees have to be aware of and implement in the new campaign.
This time round, they are fairly minor regulations tweaks, like the look of a captain’s armband (an attempt to stop it from being used as vehicle for political or social messaging), modification on shin guard usage and the placing of the ball on the spot for a penalty kick.
It no longer has to be on the spot but rather just touching it, effectively gaining some centimetres for the kicker.
But over the last month, at the European Championship, we have seen an effective edict, rather than law change, brings great value to the game.
It was an internal instruction from European football’s controlling body, Uefa, to officials at the tournament, plus the 24 countries involved, that only captains could talk to the referee during matches, whether to complain, enquire or discuss any issue with the referee.
No more of the intimidatory mass storming of either the referee or linesmen by aggrieved players.
Uefa’s decree that only captains can speak to the referees proved such a success that it will be implemented at all Uefa club competitions this coming season.
It is indeed possible to play competitive soccer without moaning, gesticulating, screaming and mobbing the referees.
Hopefully the PSL will send out the same edict to its referees and its clubs.
The unseemly verbals in football take away from the enjoyment of the game.
It is most irritating watching players endlessly moaning at the referee. The same goes for coaches too. They need to be cautioned or sent off more often if they repeatedly swear and moan from the touchline.
Frustration at decisions is part of the drama of the game but oftentimes it goes on too long, or is taken too far.
Time now to stamp it out.