15/11/2013
REFEREE REPORT
Dear Hull Sunday League,
As we awarded the referee a score of under 60 for our game on Sunday the 10th of November 2013 against Beverley White Star Reserves, I believe we are required to file a report on the referee’s performance.
Firstly, I would like to refer to our current disciplinary record and our previous ratings of referees, we have never previously received a single card (yellow or red) and generally award referees with reasonably high ratings. This is because we’re of the opinion that refereeing, in general, is a difficult and thankless job, and whilst referees often get decisions wrong it is thoroughly understandable given the task they face, e.g. trying to call an offside from 40 yards away.
However our referee on November the 10th was a little different, for his decisions seemed to be born out of either spite or a blatant leaning towards one of the sides. We had noticed that Mr Sperring seemed to be in very colloquial discussion with the opposition beforehand, however we are aware that in a local league it is hardly unusual for members of one team to know a referee. It was difficult not to be suspicious given the events of the game and his similarly affable ‘chatter’ with the opposition following the final whistle.
As for specific incidents I am afraid I would be embarking on a challenge similar to that of writing a novel were I to identify each and every case, I would however like to comment on the cautions noted in the documents I received recently, seen as though they are the one’s that will cost us financially. Firstly, most obviously and most ridiculously, is the red card offence. I see Mr Sperring has given his justification for the first caution on the basis that Rob Bedford appealed to him “why did you not give the penalty?”. Now I am an as much of a supporter of the FA’s ‘Respect’ campaign as much as anyone, but if politely (with no swearing or tone of abuse) questioning a referee's decision is now a yellow card offence, in sunday league football, I think the game is going to fall into disrepute. Undoubtedly on that basis there should have been 15/16 dismissals in this game, and a similar number in most I would have thought.
For the record, Rob Bedford was subject to one of the most blatant penalties I have ever witnessed prior to his first yellow card ‘offence’, not that it matters. The second yellow was slightly more comical but equally ridiculous. As the ball rolled down Rob’s chest it happened to roll towards his arm. Unfortunate, unintentional, unavoidable, but apparently enough to earn a second yellow and an early bath? I think not. The decision was one that baffled around 22 players and 10 spectators, and yes, that does include the opposition, who rather embarrassedly looked at one another, as if to say “he’s pushing it now”. It would be difficult to disagree with the statement that Rob Bedford would have been bitterly unlucky to receive a yellow card, nevermind a red card.
As for the yellows, George Paver’s was for remarking that the ref was doing a poor job, again in a polite and reasoned manner, however under the letter of the law I suspect it is an acceptable bookable offence, although I’m sure you can understand given the context. Fraser Davis’ booking is one which causes confusion, it is cited as a C1 offence (unsporting behaviour), however I believe the booking was for remarking “This is getting silly ref” which if it is considered an offence at all, should surely be a C2 offence, leading me to question whether the referee even knew why he was booking one of our players.
As a team, we play to have a bit of fun on a Sunday. Thus, if a refereeing decision costs us a game, we may but a little disappointed, but nothing more. A problem only arises once a referee prevents the game from being enjoyable, which was unfortunately the case in this instance. I am happy to say that other than Mr Sperring the standard of refereeing has been very good this season, all have been approachable, reasonable and tried to provide a fair watch over the game. I’m therefore happy to point out that Craig Sperring is merely an exception to the norm, a blemish if you like, I did however feel the need to compile this report in the hope that fewer teams have to be subject to his officiating in the future.
Yours sincerely,
North Cave Cobras FC
