Football

I have been refereeing for more than three years, currently in the fourth division around Zurich. It is the part of my week where decisions are immediate. No time to consult anyone, no coming back to it tomorrow.

Two moments

A youth match, preparing for a corner. The pitch goes quiet, and then a coach starts shouting at one of his own players, a boy of maybe fourteen. Loud enough that everyone turned around, me included. Nothing had happened that the rules cover. I stopped the game anyway, walked over, and reminded him who was watching.

A fourth division match, play stopped for an injured keeper. Quiet again. Then a woman on the sideline informs the pitch, at volume, that the referee is rubbish. I had nothing for that, so I laughed. Some of the players laughed too. The keeper got patched up and we carried on.

Off the pitch

I recently took over as referee coordinator at a local club. It happened because I asked. The previous coordinator had moved away and was looking for someone to hand it to. Eight referees now, myself included. I am their point of contact, and I make sure they actually turn up to their matches, which is less trivial than it sounds.

On the pitch I decide and then explain. Off it I make sure eight other people can do the same.