|
 |
You are > Home > Soccer: No ref no game, again
|
Wednesday, December 22, 2004
Soccer: No ref no game, again
By Adrian Flanagan
FOR the second weekend running, a club in the Waterford Schoolboy League has failed to provide a referee for a local schoolboy match, and on Saturday morning it was the same two teams affected by the no-show of a match official.
Bohemians and Villa were due to go head to head in the under 13 league, which is really competitive this season and the two teams that were due to meet in the league decider on Saturday last are chasing for league honours.
But again, the club has left down the schoolboy players from both clubs badly and as a result, this game was called off.
On the previous Saturday, the two sides were due to meet this time in the under 14 league and again no show from an official, who just happens to be from the De La Salle club. Firstly, I think it would be fair to say that the club have a very good record for providing referees to matches before unfortunately, what can only be described as a lack of interest has resulted in eagerly waiting youngsters deprived of playing a game of football for the last two weekend’s.
Unfortunately, the fact is that there is a serious problem facing football in Waterford at the moment because of the shortage of referees and unless the problem is highlighted, then one would be of the impression that there is a serious crisis on the horizon. Week after week, clubs all over Waterford are been affected due to the complete neglect of clubs to supply a referee to their appointed game.
RULES ARE RULES
It would be fair to say that they are not the only club to have problems providing referee’s as it could be seen when yours truly had to stand in the middle to take charge of Villa and Ferrybank under 12 because of a problem with the official from another club in the league.
However, under the rules of the Schoolboy League and specifically under rule 24, the term of entry into the league is that the each club supplies a referee and if a club has more than six teams, they must supply two referees.
In Ben Wadding Park last week, both managers were left fuming by what had happened. But it wasn’t only the managers that were disappointed, but most of all the players and the parents of the players involved. Speaking to the Waterford News and Star, Liam Butler, manager of the Villa said, “I am disgusted that the match was called off this morning. We don’t care who is meant to referee the matches as long as they turn up.
“We had players waiting to play but unfortunately, they didn’t get to because of referee not turning up and it is very disappointing.”Bobby Sinnott, who is manager of the Bohemians club said, “It is very disappointing that the match didn’t take place this morning. We did have an offer for somebody to referee the game but if that had happened, this serious manner would not be addressed.
“This is the second week running that both clubs have been affected by the non appearance of the match official and unfortunately, it is the same club that have failed to turn up in both cases.”
The angry Bohemians manager continued, “It is not fair on both teams.
We were here this morning at 11.50 for a 1pm kick off. There was a lot of hard work done to get this fixture on with the pitch and we had players travel to the game from all over Waterford and before Christmas, it was just disappointing that the game was not played.”
FINES
The consequence for any club failing to provide a referee for a match is for the first offence a fine of €15, second offence €30, third offence €60, fourth offence €120 and fifth and every offence after this a fine of €150.
But this penalty is too small and a more severe penalty must be looked at. One must say that it is not too much to ask for to provide a referee to take charge of a match and if it is then maybe the idea of expelling the clubs, which aren’t providing the officials for matches from the leagues, be looked at.
It is totally unfair that other clubs are supplying referees week in week out without fail and other clubs couldn’t be bothered.
It is unfair on players, managers and clubs when referees don’t turn up and unless the Schoolboy league tackles this very serious problem, then football is a crisis point at Schoolboy level in Waterford. Disappointed youngsters walked off the Ben Wadding Park surface in the lashing rain on Saturday last, parents also left asking questions to when this problem will be addressed.
People will probably look for answers from this article, but it is up to all the clubs to cop on to themselves and supply referees so the games can be played.
Main News Page |
Previous Page
|
|
|
|
