Refereeing in the eL

**CharlesThompson** · 01/09/2006, 11:43 PM

Firstly I'm not going to spend too much time on this, but please bear me out.

The refereeing in this league is rapidly going downhill.

This season alone, along with all the usual non offsides and free kicks that never should have been and dodgy penalty's that we all see week in and week out, I have never seen the ineptitude of some of the decisions I have seen this season watching Bohs.

Now I'm not suggesting that any of the other sides haven't seen some shocking decisions go against them but some of the most blatant and utterly disgraceful decision that have been perpetrated against us in the last couple of months have actually made my blood run cold.

1. Penalty at United Park. 4 yards outside the box when their player was fouled (Fabio?)

2. Stokes yellow fest at Tolka Park where 19 of our players were yellow carded v's 1 Shels player for clotheslining our player.

3. kajagoogoo's non goal decision in Bray.

4. Anthony Buttimers 'it was near enough so it should be a goal' for Drogheda.

As much as people diss the local game in favour of the EPL or the Scottish league because of the 'standard' of the league, I firmly believe that the stop start nature and general decision making of the officials employed to oversee our games, has an enourmous impact on the quality of the fair on offer. Why oh why do we have to put up with these shocking decisions week after week. It's not fair on the supporters that pay in to see it regularly and it only serves to undermine the good work and professionalism put in by hard up clubs. Time for something to be done!

Rant over.

**RonnieB** · 02/09/2006, 12:11 AM

The clowns in charge of the two cup meetings between longford and waterford. Someone should tell them what the offside rule is.

**el punter** · 02/09/2006, 7:59 AM

I was only having a think to myself this morning about what would happen if those two 'goal' decisions involving Bohs (v Bray and Drogs) had happened in the English Premiership. There would be an absolutely massive enquiry, heads would roll. But I don't think anything is going to happen here whatsoever, it'll be put down as 'one of those things'.

As an aside - admittedly a controversial one - does anyone think that if these incidents had happened to Shels that they would be demanding the fixtures were replayed (well the Drogs one anyway) ?

**hoopy** · 02/09/2006, 8:51 AM

Originally Posted by CharlesThompson

2. Stokes yellow fest at Tolka Park where 19 of our players were yellow carded v's 1 Shels player for clotheslining our player.

.

Jeez how many players had you got on the pitch, surely Ollie noticed

Joking aside we all know how bad they are. One thing that really annoys me and is never discussed is when a ball goes out for a throw and the ref moves his head to indicate to the linesman which way he's gonna give it, thus taking the decision completely out've the linesman's hands. What's the point in him being there if this is the case?

**Peadar** · 02/09/2006, 8:57 AM

The linesman last night had serious difficulty keeping up with the play. He's clearly unfit and very obviously overweight. His failure to take his duty seriously has cost Bohs 2 valuable points. How he could ever have thought a ball heading away from goal had crossed the line, I'll never know.

It should have been a free out to Bohs.

**BohDiddley** · 02/09/2006, 8:57 AM

Only Alan Kelly's non-goal at Bray ranks with this
Look at the top pic.

**RonnieB** · 02/09/2006, 10:07 AM

Missed the game on tv, but you have got to be kidding me! If it wasnt so stupid of the officials it would be funny.

**pete** · 02/09/2006, 11:36 AM

Originally Posted by hoopy

One thing that really annoys me and is never discussed is when a ball goes out for a throw and the ref moves his head to indicate to the linesman which way he's gonna give it, thus taking the decision completely out've the linesman's hands. What's the point in him being there if this is the case?

I have also noticed this a lot. I think what is happening is that the linesman is not making a decision & waiting for the referee to do it for him. Maybe the linesman is too inexperienced? IMO its the linesmans fault for not being decisive as lets face it he doesn't have much to do if is not going to signal thow ins.

We now have more tv coverage so mistakes can be highlighted. I agree these incidents should at least be discussed by the eL/FAI. What is the solution though? Surely these are the best referees we have?

**Anto McC** · 02/09/2006, 12:38 PM

Bohs got shafted again!!

**Stato** · 02/09/2006, 1:07 PM

Originally Posted by Anto McC

Bohs got shafted again!!

I suppose they might say that Cork refs are riding them rock solid!

**sligoman** · 02/09/2006, 1:50 PM

Lads, we should count ourselves lucky we're in the Premier cos the refereeing in the First Division is by far, worse!

**R�iteoir** · 02/09/2006, 2:20 PM

tbh - Buttimer was not at fault in the "no-goal/goal" incident last night - he got a flag from his Assistant - so had to go with it - he was in no position to over-rule him.

Blame has to firmly rest with the Assistant Referee here - what made it worse is that guy is on the FIFA List - shouldn't make those kind of mistakes that high up.

**sligoman** · 02/09/2006, 2:34 PM

Originally Posted by Roverstillidie

nonsense

Well unless it's changed since last season and the few before that, it's not nonsense!

**harpskid** · 02/09/2006, 4:04 PM

Originally Posted by sligoman

Well unless it's changed since last season and the few before that, it's not nonsense!

No, Sligoman, I can confirm that it is stil simply appaling in your absence!

Three penalties given last night in Limerick, none of which should have been awarded.

**anto eile** · 02/09/2006, 4:51 PM

Originally Posted by pete

I have also noticed this a lot. I think what is happening is that the linesman is not making a decision & waiting for the referee to do it for him.

thats exactly it. iv lost count of the amount of times linesmen have waited on a ref to signal a decision before flagging.
the refereeing in this league is disgraceful

**BohDiddley** · 02/09/2006, 5:13 PM

Originally Posted by sligoman

Lads, we should count ourselves lucky we're in the Premier cos the refereeing in the First Division is by far, worse!

How precisely can refereeing possibly get any worse than awarding goals when the ball is three yards from the line (Buttimer) and not awarding it after the ball has played a central role in an attempt to demolish a stanchion at the back of the net (Kelly).
Mini-Bohs won hands down and beat the mighty Drogs in style last night. Surely there has to be some redress.

**R�iteoir** · 02/09/2006, 5:26 PM

Originally Posted by anto eile

thats exactly it. iv lost count of the amount of times linesmen have waited on a ref to signal a decision before flagging.
the refereeing in this league is disgraceful

Depends where the position of the ball and the referee are at the time - I'll post up a copy of the pre-match briefing in a second so you can see how we work.

**hoopy** · 02/09/2006, 5:27 PM

[QUOTE=harpskid;527746
Three penalties given last night in Limerick, none of which should have been awarded.

[/QUOTE]

I'm surprised Harpskid that you haven't noticed the Guinness Book of Record attempt by Limerick for the most penalties given in a season

**dfx-** · 02/09/2006, 5:48 PM

Originally Posted by sligoman

Lads, we should count ourselves lucky we're in the Premier cos the refereeing in the First Division is by far, worse!

Nope, it isn't...

I couldn't tell you or be able to recognise any of the refs at Rovers' League matches this year. (That may be because the fouls, players and attempted tackles are so bad, they're easy to spot.

) I know however what (fewer) Premier games I've been at that Kelly has reffed or Hancock or McKeon because in the Premier the ref is the most important person there - in case you forget.