The article, written by Yaser Ayoub, begins by noting that the English invented the game of football and established its laws and rules, initially without the need for a referee to enforce them. The author argues that the English, having transformed the game from a chaotic and rough activity into a refined sport for gentlemen, believed that these gentlemen would acknowledge their own mistakes without the need for external intervention. However, it was later discovered that even gentlemen require referees to ensure fair play.
The introduction of referees in football came in 1891, when the laws of the game were amended to include a referee whose decisions would be binding on all players. Ayoub notes that the English did not just invent the role of the referee but also created a common justification for losses in football - blaming the referee's decisions. For 135 years, football teams have grown accustomed to attributing their defeats to refereeing errors.
The article highlights that the creation of the managerial role in football predates the introduction of referees. George Ramsay became the first football manager at Aston Villa in 1886, and it was only natural that managers would be the first to dispute refereeing decisions. Ayoub observes that it has become rare for a manager to accept responsibility for a team's loss, instead often attributing it to the referee's mistakes.
Ayoub uses recent examples to illustrate his point, including the match between Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid in the Spanish league. Real Madrid's manager, Jose Mourinho, blamed the referee, Ortiz Arias, for his team's loss, citing his inexperience and alleged bias against Real Madrid. This reaction was not unique to Mourinho, as many managers have responded similarly in the past.
Diego Simeone, manager of Atletico Madrid, disagreed with Mourinho's comments, calling for respect for referees and cautioning against criticism that could be seen as personal attacks. However, Simeone himself has not always been immune to criticizing referees, having previously attributed a loss to refereeing errors.
The article concludes that, in football, referees often become the default explanation for a team's loss. Ayoub suggests that this tendency has become an integral part of the sport's culture, with managers frequently citing refereeing decisions as a reason for their team's defeat.
Ultimately, the role of referees in football remains a contentious issue, with teams and managers often disputing their decisions. While some, like Simeone, advocate for greater respect for referees, others, like Mourinho, continue to express their frustration with refereeing errors.
Key points
- The history of refereeing in football and its impact on the game.
- The tendency of football managers to blame referees for their team's losses.
- The ongoing debate about the role of referees in football and the need for greater respect for their decisions.
