by AMMA MELTON
Many different components play a part in the outcome of an athletic contest: coaching, players, and, of course, the uncontrollable: the referees.
In a soccer match, there are three officials: two assistants and a
main referee. The assistants’ job is to follow the plays from the sidelines, making sure to keep track of the ball and letting the main referee be aware of anything that might not be as visible to them from the sideline. The primary official typically makes the biggest calls and listens to input from his or her assistants.
There is an immense amount of pressure on officials by the opposing teams, coaches and fans, yet they are expected to make the correct call every time. The refs are arguably the most important parts of the game besides the players themselves. This is the reason why the best, most experienced referees are in constant demand.
Many soccer games have resulted in controversial results due to a referee’s decision.
For example, in the 2000 Sydney Summer Olympics women’s championship match, Norway and the United States went head to head. It was the second-ever staging of women’s soccer in the Olympic Games, and viewers were ecstatic to watch the close contest. It was a nail-biting match, with possession rallying between both teams. The United States finally managed to score the first goal of the match, heightening excitement and intensity levels. Both fighting teams battled back and forth throughout the game, and by the end of regular time, it was 2-2.
The game shifted into golden goal–meaning that the first team to score a goal secures the victory. A Norway player assisted on a brilliant ball just outside of the penalty box. The receiving player was surrounded by American defenders, but used her hand to push the ball through all three of them, and shot it into the back of the net.
Roaring and frustration from the United States erupted, as players pleaded with the refs to review their calls, and to call the goal off due to the obvious hand-ball. Despite the Americans’ passionate arguments, the goal was not called back, and the game ended with a devastating loss for the United States. The main referee never officiated a professional game again.
Similarly, but on a much different level, the Chadwick girls’ soccer season–one that I was a part of–unfortunately came to an end last month with a controversial loss in the CIF quarterfinals against San Jacinto High at Commander Field.
About midway through the first half, I shot the ball from outside of the penalty box (around 25 yards from the goal). The ball soared through the air, and despite the opposing goalie managing to get a slight touch on the ball, it slipped and ended up going through her hands and just barely over the goal line.
Although the keeper did eventually manage to secure the ball, she was standing inside the goal, behind the goal line, with the ball in hand. The crowd erupted, pointing at the goal and shouting, “Call it, ref!” and “It went in!” The sideline referee was not following or moving with the play. He saw the ball in the goalkeeper’s hands, assumed that she had saved the goal, and instructed the players to continue playing.
Disappointed and frustrated, we had no choice but to carry on, missing our hard-earned goal. The final score was 1-0 San Jacinto, concluding our season with a disappointing loss.
Sports are a major part of many students’ lives in high school. The dynamic between teams, players and coaches only works if there is a presence of fairness and trust. Referees play a major role in this ecosystem, and not having experienced officials is frustrating and can change the way a player sees the game. As important as it is to hire experienced refs, it is easier said than done.
“Getting new officials is a real challenge today, mostly because of the way officials are treated by coaches, parents and fans,” said Rob Wigod, longtime CIF Southern Section commissioner who retired last year but remains active.
As hard as it is to stay composed when a referee makes a bad call, it is also important to respect their authority and remember that they are people, too.
“The ability for officials associations to do more training, mentoring and observing officials is severely compromised due to the fact their emphasis is on making sure all the games are covered,” Wigod added.
The primary problem is not just hiring experienced officials; it’s hiring any officials at all.
The first step in hiring better officials for Chadwick sports is to treat the ones we already have with kindness and respect. Once we do that, we can progress and move on to hiring referees who ensure fairness in every sports competition.
The Mainsheet 