Some thoughts on refs.
Referees in top flight football do not all go out to pasture after hanging thier whistles up. There exists a clearly defined career path for those who want it courtesy of Uefa. It is possible to become an assesor/inspector and from there move onto various commitees. However these appointments are proposed by previous referees who now make up the bulk of the commitees members, so if you want a career as an inspector you better toe the party line.
Once you become an inspector life is good. Uefa's guidelines to clubs regarding Inspectors include business class travel, first rate accomodation and vip seating.
In return you will be required to offer guidance to the referee and then assess his performance during the match against a set criteria.The main criteria being man management, law interpretation, control, attitude,perception and fitness. You are asked to score the referee on a scale of 5 (not up to expected standard) to 10 (perfect performance). Easy enough, referees with below average marks can be identified, given extra instruction or support to raise thier performance eventually raising the standard.
So why has this not happened? Uefa in thier delegates handbook inform assessors to 'tend to an average of 8 over 20 to 30 games' which is also the score which represents a good, efficient performance which must be a comfort if your a bit dodgy. A referee can be awarded 7.5 even if he makes a game changing error.
Refeereing will never improve whilst this blatent back scratching and nepotism exist within the regulatory structures.
In short, get used to it cos it's not going to change anytime soon.
