Post by Carnster on May 5, 2016 11:39:23 GMT
This is an interesting and important article well worth a read...
www.totalrl.com/opinion-rugby-league-respect-problem/
I've always tried to remain fair and rational when the subject of referees inevitably pops-up, either in conversation, during a game, or on internet forums. RL fans seem to have an unhealthy obsession with referees that really skews their judgement. In an already small pool of refs I think we're in danger of creating a shortage of new refs interested in doing the job at the top level. There's nothing wrong with criticism of refereeing performances but it has to be constructive and not based on emotion or with bias. I think Refs get too much stick and some of the terrible personal abuse leveled at them is simply not acceptable.
You can see a lot more backchat from players during a match, although to be fair, it's nearly always respectful or on the right boundary of respectful. Some coaches seem to think that open criticism is okay and I see it creeping into the mainstream more and more. The opinion of coaches when refereeing is brought into question is usually done in an emotional state, before detailed review and with clear bias. It does our game no good when it happens. As for fans of the game, it seems there is a large number that seem to think it's okay to hurl personal abuse, especially on social media.
I think it's time that RL started to issue sterner punishments for obvious abuse within the game, and RL fans need to become more objective and rational rather than emotional and biased.
www.totalrl.com/opinion-rugby-league-respect-problem/
I've always tried to remain fair and rational when the subject of referees inevitably pops-up, either in conversation, during a game, or on internet forums. RL fans seem to have an unhealthy obsession with referees that really skews their judgement. In an already small pool of refs I think we're in danger of creating a shortage of new refs interested in doing the job at the top level. There's nothing wrong with criticism of refereeing performances but it has to be constructive and not based on emotion or with bias. I think Refs get too much stick and some of the terrible personal abuse leveled at them is simply not acceptable.
You can see a lot more backchat from players during a match, although to be fair, it's nearly always respectful or on the right boundary of respectful. Some coaches seem to think that open criticism is okay and I see it creeping into the mainstream more and more. The opinion of coaches when refereeing is brought into question is usually done in an emotional state, before detailed review and with clear bias. It does our game no good when it happens. As for fans of the game, it seems there is a large number that seem to think it's okay to hurl personal abuse, especially on social media.
I think it's time that RL started to issue sterner punishments for obvious abuse within the game, and RL fans need to become more objective and rational rather than emotional and biased.