Ok I know this is an old chestnut but how many people here feel that the quality of referreeing at all levels is poor.

I coach kids and what I experienced yesterday was appalling.

Firstly I am not levelling any blame whatsoever at the opposition and I don't want anyone to think this is the ramblings of a poor loser. I try and instil discipline into kids to respect authority this is hard enough when they watch what goes on on a soccer field. But for kids to have to endure what they did it was hardly a surprise a full scale fight broke out. Brought on by the ref.

How many people can say they have been here themselves

Ok I didn't agree with the shouting our supporters did and told them so but when are the rl going to address the issues of refereeing instead of stuffing rules down our throats like what colour high viz vests we must wear.

We need tough but fair refs that players still call sir and not w@@@ker. Yes it is a hard job and one I wouldn't want to do but give us ones that are fair and competent and most coaches will ensure that they teach respect as well as core skills

Respect only seems to work one way with the RFL. We amateurs have to jump through hoops to be 'more professional' yet some officials are taking good money for repeatedly inept performances that will never be picked up due to the scrapping of assessment sheets. It's no wonder so many 'volunteers' are getting disillusioned.

I'll give credit where credit is due though. We played last night and narrowly got beaten by 2 points. The ref was a teenager (the same age as the one we had on saturday) and he couldn't have been so different. really really good. He made a mistake in the first half and came up and apologised to me for it. I said I respected the fact he could own up to his mistakes and that it wasn't a problem.

Then right at the end with us 2 points down we were through and the lad went over but when he hit the ground the ball went free as he was being tackled by 3 or 4 players. The ref was unsighted and didn't give the try. I was well sighted and couldn't make my mind up. A video ref one definately!!! Not a problem because we had had a ref who was good all the game.

i would like to know did the ref throw the first punch ? also why dont you getyour own parents in order first and stop abusing the refs when you have done that then maybe the ref can keep his mind on the game instead of the name calling that is running around in his head specces and parents think somhow thay have a right slag the refs off dont you know they are human .prick

We had a ref yesterday was embarrassing the other team was offside from a kick off he said they were offside kick it again ha. Our captain asked the ref about repeated offsides to almost everyplay the ball to which he replied they are only offside because your team aren't playin the ball fast enough I thought you couldn't move up until the ball was played not try to play the ball to try and keep up with the defence

I usually like a ref that talks to the teams! He would be good at U8s, correcting little mistakes as he goes along. A bit out of his depth at open age!

The majority of amateur refs only do so because they love the game as much as the rest of us, and it's just another way of getting involved. None of them make mistakes on purpose, and when they have to make a split second decision they give it as they see it at the time. Some of the abuse they are subject to is greatly unfair, and at times much more aggressive than you see at pro games.

stannie are the worst they kick the refs car in when it dosent go their way

I've seen refs this season in the prem saying 'if you keep shouting on the touch line i wont give you anything' whats that all about?

But i have seen some refs have a very good game you got to take the rough with the smooth i suppose

Must admit I agree with that concept.

A lad got sin-binned for dissent against us a few weeks ago. After 10 minutes their coach started yelling at the ref "10 minutes is up ref! 10 minutes ref!" over and over - this was on top of him yelling "offside" at almost EVERY ptb, and other stuff. We've had this ref several times and knew to keep our mouths shut whatever happened - he's generally a good ref and does his job well, but can be very strict and penalise unruly teams, and will not stand for backchat. Anyway, a little while later he waved the player back on.

After the game I was talking to the ref who said, "I kept him off for 15 minutes, I'm not being shouted at like that."

I'd rather have that than a ref who cracks at pressure from the sidelines.