There have always been footballers with fiery tempers who
have found it difficult to keep a rein on their emotions
during the course of a game. Referees at all levels of the
game, from the very highest to the very lowest, will have to
contend with them at some time or other. I've known such
players actually quit playing because they seemingly can't
avoid getting into trouble.
Football is a contact sport, still, and players who are
unable to control themselves will seldom enjoy their football
and they will also make trouble for their team who will too
often find themselves a player a short. On the other hand, of
course, there are some excellent players, indeed world-class
footballers, who have this combative edge to their nature.
Players who would be missed for their substantial
contributions to the game.
One of the problems they can face, if they get a reputation
for being hot-headed, is that they might find themselves a
target for other teams eager to exploit their weakness. A good
example of this was reported in the newspapers a little while
ago when the Republic of Ireland faced Holland in a World Cup
qualifier.
It was claimed that Dutch player Michael Reitziger revealed
before the match that they would target the Irish captain Roy
|Keane with physical and verbal abuse. They reasoned that
Keane's suspect temperament could snap and lead to his
dismissal as it had many times in the past. 'If we are smart
(his word not mine), we could get Keane the red card'
Reizinger is reputed to have said.
Only this weekend, Martin Oakly of Southampton was reported
in the Saturday papers as saying that his plan was to wind up
Patrick Viera of Arsenal, who is well known for his lack of
restraint. He believed that if he could make the Frenchman
lose his temper, it would give Southampton a chance to pull
off a shock victory in the Premiership.
These are professional footballers planning to use what at
the very least can be called 'unsporting behaviour', to get a
fellow professional sent off, suspended, fined and lose wages.
A bit sick wouldn't you say? And who has to pick up the pieces
as a result of this provocation? The poor old referee of
course. Even if he can prevent it happening he knows that he
can expect little thanks.
I remember refereeing a game on the top pitch at Palmer
Park many years ago, at which the home team centre half had a
reputation for a very suspect temperament. He had served more
than his fair share of suspensions, but people still spoke
highly of his playing ability when he died some time later
at young age. From the start of this game I could see
that the opposing centre forward had set out to goad him, in
the hope that he would lose his temper and perhaps do
something that would result in them gaining a numerical
advantage.
I kept a close watch on the centre forward throughout the
match, making sure that any provocation was quickly snubbed
out and calming the centre half whenever his hackles started
to rise. We got to the end of the game and the centre half was
still on the field of play. I felt quite pleased with what I
saw as an achievement. However, as we all headed back up the
park to the dressing rooms, the centre half, surrounded by his
team mates, said in a stage whisper that was definitely
intended for me to hear, 'Worst bloody referee we've had all
season'
I pretended to be deaf as well as blind.
Dick Sawdon Smith