PANJIM : The GFA Referees’ and Assistant Referees’ Committee has condemned the assault by a football player on the referee during the GFA’s U-20 Taca Goa match between Goan Football Club and Sporting Clube de Goa at Duler Stadium, Mapusa on Thursday.
The Chairman of the Committee Jose Santarita (Babush) Coelho stated that “aggressive behavior especially by a player against the referee cannot be left unchecked. Unwarranted behavior if not timely checked can allow the aggressor to feel that the behavior is even acceptable. It was a terrible act of violence against the match supervisory official,” he added.
“We will not allow physical violence or verbal abuse by player or any club official to become a normal part of football. Fewer young people want to become referees and they fear growing abuse and even physical attacks in particular,” stated Babush.
Babush appealed to players, club officials to show due respect to the referees and the fact that a referee was brutally assaulted resulting in bleeding profusely from the mouth is to be condemned. Frankie Fernandes, Deputy Chairman stated: “Without Referees there is no beautiful game. Refereeing is a thankless job and it has to be accepted and respected that his decisions on the field of play are final and binding on all. However, there is room for pointing out discrepancies or wrong judgements by means of lodging a protest. The referee’s decisions on the field of play are final and binding.
“The referee is the person responsible for enforcing the Laws of the Game during the match. The Referee is the final decision – making authority on all facts connected with play and is the only official on the play field with the authority to start and stop play and impose disciplinary action against players and team officials during a match,” he said.
Frankie appealed to club officials, especially the coach and manager to conduct themselves in a responsible manner as any improper behavior or misconduct leads to taking disciplinary action against team officials including expulsion from the technical area and its immediate surroundings. “Discipline on the field of play is paramount and cannot be compromised,” he pointed out, adding that “a match should be a source of joy, health and happiness and not a terrible act of violence.”
“Aggressive conduct, exposure to abuse can have adverse effects on the referee’s performance, loss of concentration and motivation and have numerous psychological consequences including in increase in anxiety levels. Violence against referees could lead to dwindling referees retention rates with many referees quitting their job due to being constantly abused and this could lead to a reduction in skilled match officials,” Frankie stated.
Frankie disclosed that the referee had taken the correct decision in red carding the player for a very serious foul as he is empowered to take disciplinary action against players guilty of caution and sending -off offences. The subsequent retaliation by the player is as such condemnable and not part of accepted behavior. The referee also took correct decision against the team official as the official failed to conduct himself in a responsible manner and as such expelled him from the field of play.
