The game has become some kind of emotional rollercoaster!
Referee decisions have been the main cause of the many frustrations players, fans and coaches go through on match days.
It can get really bad guys, I was recently near the touchline and watched Cape Town City boss Benni McCarthy and his Stellenbosch counterpart Steve Barker go at it because of a referee’s decision.
Benni felt the referee had to issue a card for the tackles on his players, while Barker felt the decisions were soft.
It boiled over in a bad way my friend. Sadly I can’t repeat some of the things that were said there because kids read this column too.
I’ve seen fans argue and come to blows because of a call that brings joy to one guy and causes heartache for the other.
QUESTIONS: Stellenbosch boss Steve Barker. Picture: BackpagePix.
This year alone, Safa have suspended several referees and assistant referees. The sanctions, however, applies only to the professional leagues.
So basically refs could continue working in the amateur game, even though they were found guilty of making costly errors.
Most recently assistant ref Mervyn van Wyk made headlines after making questionable calls for Kaizer Chiefs and being found out to be a huge Amakhosi fan.
Now here’s the strange thing, coaches and players have to sit through press conferences explaining situations that they sometimes had no control over.
I mean, the referee’s decision is final, right? So what can coaches and players really do?
When coaches and referees criticise referees they get into trouble and at times have to pay fines.
Why aren’t the referees the ones sitting with the media explaining themselves?
CONTROVERSIAL: Referee Mervin van Wyk, left. Picture: Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix.
Why must we go through all the nonsense of arguing over spilt milk that we didn’t even spill?
Referees have even been given VAR to help them, even that VAR leaves fans, players and coaches scratching their heads at times.
I truly think it’s time the referees take the heat too and make us understand why they make the decisions they make.
We are all human enough to forgive and understand, right? I mean we do it with players and coaches weekly.
So Mr Ref, come here quickly and tell us why, why, why Me Ref? Why? Cause we’re confused and frustrated. It’s just not fair.