Publicly Releasing The Ref's Commentary

Often in football the fans want a reason for a decision the referee gave, as they don't understand it. They may or may not agree with the decision but they at least want to know what the ref saw. As things stand the refs are not allowed to comment after the game to explain any decisions or put their side of it. I have a potential solution to this.

The referee and his assistants have radio mic / headset communication, so why not set that to record the full unedited conversation, and give a copy of the full commentary to both managers and a public domain copy for the media and fans at the same time, perhaps an hour after the game finishes? That way the various incidents can be matched up, with the discussions and decisions around them. This is not about giving an opinion with hindsight, it's about the raw input, in real time.

The recordings could be licensed with specific conditions which apply to any media who have broadcast rights to the matches and footage, that they must keep it in context and report accurately the words or attitude of the players or managers they hear during an incident.

Yesterday was yet another example of a Manchester United player being above the rules in terms of harassing the ref. The controversy around Nani's goal saw various players putting their opinions across, among them the Spurs players were told to back off, and to their credit, one of the Spurs players was actively herding his team mates away from the ref. Rio Ferdinand was above the law. He was allowed to stand and shout at the ref and his assistant during the discussion attempting to influence the outcome. Why?

Manchester United have long had a history of this, as other teams have. It does not make it right. There needs to be a clamp down on this. An example:

Player: "But blah blah bla!"

Ref: "Back off!"

Player: "But blah blah bla!"

Ref: "Last warning, back off or I'll book you"

Player: "But blah blah bla!"

Ref: "Right, you're booked, yellow card"

Player: "But blah blah bla!"

Ref: "Do want another yellow? Back off"

Player: "But blah blah bla!"

Ref: "OK, you're booked, yellow card. A second yellow means red, you're off"

How long would it take for the managers to drum it into their players that they can't surround or harass the ref or his assistants if that was the result? I don't doubt the public message is "respect for the ref" while in private it's an endorsed and encouraged campaign of intimidation to try and get every decision their way, merited or not.

If this was sent out as an instruction from FIFA, the clubs would all know about it, and drum it into their players. Of course they would try to push it to see what they could get away with, then complain bitterly at the unfairness of ending a game with a defeat due to having 2 players sent off for this type of incident.

For those who argue it'd spoil the game, I disagree. It's not the refs responsibility to ensure the game isn't spoiled, it's the refs responsibility to ensure it's played fairly within the rules of the game. The players choose to mouth off, the players choose to try and cheat.