No wonder constant mistakes? Courage over experience for Premier League refs.

Shri0001

What qualities should a qualified football referee possess? A calm mind and impartial attitude are undoubtedly essential, but controversially, recent reports in the English media suggest that England's referees, particularly those involved in VAR, may not fit this profile. In a recent recruitment advertisement, VAR referees were openly sought without the need for experience, emphasizing the necessity of sufficient courage, while other traits were left unmentioned.

English Premier League referees have faced continuous controversies, especially regarding the application of VAR, raising questions from many quarters. In a recent high-stakes match between Liverpool and Arsenal, a thrilling game was marred by a referee's error. The referee missed a handball penalty for Arsenal, prompting widespread questioning of why VAR did not prompt the referee to review the situation.

Even Arsenal defender Saliba admitted it was a clear penalty, intensifying criticism of the on-field referee. Consequently, the usually reserved English media brought to light a recent recruitment advertisement from the referee company, which explicitly stated that applicants could have little or no relevant experience but must be brave individuals. The recruitment ad further emphasized the need for clear decision-making under pressure, self-reflection, the ability to determine when VAR should intervene, concentration, and excellent communication skills.

This recruitment ad has sparked considerable criticism, as the conditions for becoming a referee seem to require little to no experience, even for referees in the prestigious English Premier League. Some argue that it's no wonder Premier League referees often make mistakes because they do not set high standards for themselves. The requirement for courage implies that referees are aware of their frequent errors and need the bravery to withstand questioning. Therefore, the criticism of referees is likely to persist for some time.

Jafar224

No experience needed, only the courage required. This courage refers to the willingness to endure questioning voices and the bravery to confront players, doesn't it?

Kamal531

Over the years, there haven't been as many referee issues on the Premier League field as in this season, and Liverpool has seemingly been on the receiving end multiple times. In my opinion, those who become top-level league referees wouldn't make such basic mistakes. Several referees have made various low-level errors in the first half of the season, so I believe there must be some involvement from the FA behind this. As the current top league globally, the Premier League attracts immense attention, and the betting volume for each game is astronomical, especially for high-profile matchups. Unlike previous seasons, where referee issues rarely surfaced, this season has been riddled with them, making it hard not to entertain conspiracy theories. Perhaps capital and the FA don't want Liverpool to win, or maybe capital doesn't want a third goal to be scored. The power of global capital is formidable, especially with the introduction of VAR, making match manipulation even easier. But is the FA not afraid of ruining the Premier League, the top league? Back in the day, Serie A was considered a little World Cup and the top league globally. Still, after the Calciopoli scandal erupted about 20 years ago, it has been languishing, and the FA isn't worried about history repeating itself? For the sake of the league's well-being, I believe the FA should reconsider its actions.

Ritu13

This has indeed raised some attention and scrutiny. Football referees play a crucial role in the game, and their decisions directly impact the match outcome. Therefore, the quality and capabilities of referees are of utmost importance. The selection and training of referees should be a comprehensive process, taking into account various factors to ensure they can play a fair, professional, and composed role during matches.

Yamini003

I think it still comes down to experience. After all, having experience is what gives you more courage to face challenges, right?