USA makes it to world cup

[bigfurmn]

IMO diving should be called as ungentlemanly conduct which is a cautionable (yellow card) offense. Way back in the day I was a FIFA certified referee for soccer. I officiated probably 100+ youth matches over a couple year period in the early 2000s and usually at the 14-16 age group club level (sometimes called "traveling"). There wasn't a problem with diving, and on the off-hand time it happened a quick "cut it out, next one is a yellow" was more than enough to prevent ever having to show a card. I am sure it's not called ungentlemanly conduct any more as that is not woke. But that's what it was called when I took the classes!

I also used to ref games. Played too. If there was a tournament I wasn’t playing in, I could make a couple hundred tax free dollars in a weekend. I’ve always been tall so even when I was younger not too many people tried much with me. Had a coach scream at me time to the point I made his team forfeit the game at the tournament. That was funny.

 

[mcokevin]

I also used to ref games. Played too. If there was a tournament I wasn’t playing in, I could make a couple hundred tax free dollars in a weekend. I’ve always been tall so even when I was younger not too many people tried much with me. Had a coach scream at me time to the point I made his team forfeit the game at the tournament. That was funny.

Yeah, I always had more problems with the youth coaches and parents than players. I once had to send off an entire family... a player for legit punching an opponent - easy red card. Then the dad (assistant coach) came sprinting onto the field towards me screaming - thankfully didn't try anything beyond that, but sent him off too. Then the granddad (head coach) started in, and didn't even give him a chance - sent him off too. Maybe a quick trigger on the granddad, but I wasn't messing around at that point.

There happened to be a regional supervisor of officials watching the game. The only criticism he had was that I actually showed the card to the coaches. Said I was right to send them off, but you don't show cards to coaches.

I later learned that the supervisor of officials was there because this team was notorious for this kind of behavior. The dad and granddad had a hearing and were suspended from coaching for a year. Kind of wish they would've warned me in advance!!

Hah.... good times.

 

[bigfurmn]

Ahh the good ole days before they outright attacked the ref.

 

[mcokevin]

Ahh the good ole days before they outright attacked the ref.

No kidding. If I was officiating today I'd probably add pepper spray and maybe a .35 (sort of kidding) for protection!

 

[bigfurmn]

Right now I couldnt keep with that much running. Im a uh bit heavy now than i was then.

 

[Nefarious]

Right now I couldnt keep with that much running. Im a uh bit heavy now than i was then.

That's probably true for all of us

 

[mcokevin]

That's probably true for all of us

I plead the fifth...