HYPOCRISY FROM COACHES IS A DANGER TO REFS

THERE’S a funny and revealing anecdote in Eduardo Galeano’s masterpiece, Football in Sun and Shadow, regarding the relationship referees have with fans.

Galeano writes that poet Jorge Enrique Adoum, upon his return to Ecuador after a long absence, performed the obligatory task in the city of Quito – going to the stadium to watch Sociedad Deportiva Aucas. Before kick-off there was a moment of silence for the referee’s mother who had passed away that morning. A man stood up to deliver a moving speech, praising the referee for doing his job under such difficult circumstances. The crowd applauded.

Adoum “blinked” and “pinched” himself because he couldn’t believe his countrymen were showering a referee with such love, a figure who is normally abused and sworn at. Galeano writes that Adoum was astounded by this sight because, “before, people’s only concern for the referee was to call him son of a b#tch”.

The match began and the home team scored but the referee denied the goal and ruled offside. “The thoughts of the crowd turned immediately to his (the referee’s) deceased mother: ‘orphan of a b#tch!’ was the roar from the stands,” Galeano writes.

Black Leopards’ chairman David Thidiela was more crude and disrespectful in his abusive and tribalistic rant towards referee Victor Hlungwani. It wasn’t only a disgusting sight but also an embarrassing one, with this abuse coming from a member of the PSL’S Executive.

If a person of that stature doesn’t respect referees, how then do you expect the supporters to respect the officials? The PSL responded by temporarily suspending Thidiela. What’s concerning about Thidiela’s act is that it’s part of a growing trend of club officials disrespecting officials. Benni Mccarthy went on a rant on how the referee had denied Cape Town City in their 4-1 drubbing at the hands of Kaizer Chiefs.

This is from the man whose team is in the final of the MTN8 final through a goal that was scored from an offside position.

Mccarthy didn’t complain about the officiating when it benefited his team. It’s becoming a trend that teams use the referee as the scapegoat when they lose instead of interrogating their team’s shortcomings. Mccarthy is not the only coach who believes officiating in the country is terrible when they lose but doesn’t have an issue when they win. If coaches and owners think like this, than fans will also believe officials are out to get them. In his rant, Thidiela said Hlungwani isn’t welcomed in Thohoyandou again.

It’s a very reckless statement. Imagine if Hlungwani returns, makes a call that costs Lidoda Duvha – who would be to blame if the fans attack him because the idea has been planted that he is against them? This is why Thidiela’s statement is dangerous and should be met with serious punishment.

There have been some instances where referees haven’t covered themselves in glory. The referee’s review committee has also been ineffective and doesn’t properly communicate with the public on the decisions they make. But with that said, our referees are among the best in the continent. Yes, do speak out when a referee has erred and you feel aggrieved. But don’t be a hypocrite in that you only speak when decisions don’t favour you, having gone silent when they do favour you.