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1. Open letter to all players (by Stanley Lover)

Don't learn the rules!
"…….if you knew all the rules, and respected them, we'd be out of a job.."

Dear player,

Don't - please, don't - learn the rules of the game! If you have ever witnessed a match between two teams of soccer referees you will understand why I make this plea.
In these encounters all the players know every word of the rulebook, back-to-front, inside out, every nuance of interpretation. Does that make them ideal models of the way soccer should be played; within the timeworn codes of discipline and fair play; respecting the Referee's decisions with the dignity of ancient gentlemen amateurs? No, Sir !
Don't go out of your way to see one of these 'games'. You will be horrified, especially if there is an element of rivalry between local referee groups. They usually form part of pre-season training, intended as a fun-event, followed by drinks for all in the bar.
Cunningly, the teams approach a promising young recruit to take the whistle. An irresistible invitation, a golden chance to show senior peers what a treasure they've found. Ah, innocent youth !
Those twenty-two players (a loose description) have three common aims ;
(a) to show how well they can play,
(b) to purge accumulated frustrations and revenge for hard times suffered over the seasons from players, fans and parents, and,
(c) to give the 'little treasure' a memorable baptism of fire.

And what a baptism! Before the match starts there will be testing questions. "Referee, this surface is bumpy and probably dangerous. Have you checked it out? Where is the medical help? Did you notice that one goal seems bigger than the other? Where is the fourth corner-post (we've hidden under kitbags)? That ball's a bit soft, is it at the right pressure? Is their keeper allowed to wear the same coloured socks as us? Are you starting with only one goal net? Our coach wants to play the first fifteen minutes - OK? We've agreed the Offside Rule won't apply to this game - OK?" etc. etc.
From the first whistle - mayhem ( an inadequate word to describe what follows)! Within seconds comes the first protest, "REFEREE! Their number 10 was a yard inside our half when the ball was kicked-off! What about Law 8?"
One minute later a five-star official, who's been getting all the best games and publicity, is thumped skywards from a vicious studs-up tackle from behind. "Went for the ball, Ref!" yells the culprit, with a suitably pained expression - what an actor!

So it goes on throughout the match. "He was offside from that throw-in, Ref".
"'e's got razor blades fixed to 'is boots! Check 'em out REFEREE!"
"No! Ref, I was swearing at myself - honest !"
During the battle double-red cards are often justified but they never appear- our learner ref wouldn't dare.
At least there are no mom and dad comments from the touch-lines for, as we know, these players have no legitimate parents. But the subs, committeemen and 'friends' for each team, provide plenty of banter to goad the players to higher levels of mischief.
I've been there, done that, still got the bloodstained T-shirt and the scars as souvenirs. At least I survived. Many don't.

Dear players, if you knew all the rules, and respected them, we'd be out of a job so just learn a few to help you play to your talents and leave the rest to us. OK?
Thanks. Have a good season.

Yours in sport,
Stanley Lover
©Stanley Lover 2004

2. Open letter to all coaches (by Stanley Lover)

"You can't accept bad mistakes by referees."

You know that those errors are down to you to correct but, you can't accept bad mistakes by referees. It happens too often and it's not your fault. Two or three more results like that and your job will be at risk.

Dear Coach,

It happened again last week, didn't it? Vital championship points lost due to poor refereeing. How could the ref miss that handball in their penalty area? Judge that normal tackle as a penalty offence which lost you the match? And what about the offside that wasn't?
OK, so your strikers failed to put away simple chances, your right flank defenders left a huge gap for the first goal and your usually safe 'keeper fumbled the ball into his own net for the decider. You know that those errors are down to you to correct but, you can't accept bad mistakes by referees. It happens too often and it's not your fault. Two or three more results like that and your job will be at risk.
You ask, "What's being done to raise refereeing standards?"
You are right to be concerned. It's a major topic among coaches at all levels.

A different game?

Let's go to the source of the problem. What's the answer Referee?
"By the nature of our role we can't hope to please everyone. We are human, trying to be perfect in applying instant justice in fast moving situations. We don't always get it right"
"But" you reply, "sometimes you seem to be playing a different game to us".
"It may appear that way but our viewpoint is neutral. We apply the laws according to our understanding of the game and official interpretations".

"What are you doing to reduce controversial decisions".
"FIFA and all football nations are continually upgrading programmes for recruiting, training and support of referees.
Nearly every referee spends much of his spare time attending local meetings, clinics and seminars, to improve knowledge and apply required interpretations on the field".

"So, why do you make so many mistakes?"
Pierluigi Collina, voted the world's best referee says,
"I don't make any fewer mistakes than my colleagues and I cannot hide them. They were less obvious in the early years of TV coverage, when there were only two or three cameras, but now the whole field is surrounded by up to twenty. I have only two eyes. I'm always trying to reduce my mistakes".

Another FIFA official, with experience at two World Cup Tournaments recently expressed this cry from the heart,
"We need more training, support, guidance, coaching."
That, from a referee at the top, indicates the hunger for knowledge and guidance to serve the game better.

Can you help?

What else can be done? Can you help?
How? To achieve your coaching qualifications you passed an examination on the Laws of the Game so you know the basis of referees' decisions.
At whatever level you serve the game you have acquired much knowledge and experience. You are a thoughtful analyst of play, a teacher, an adviser. These qualities need not be restricted to players. You can contribute to better refereeing by sharing your know-how.

From personal experience of referees' courses in various countries the most instructive and enjoyable elements take place on the field, in practical sessions conducted by a respected coach - local, national or FIFA.
The chief instructor and the coach select topics for discussion and demonstration. These may include;

Offensive/defensive tactics in live-ball play and at dead-ball restarts.
Tactics to beat offside traps - to avoid destroying legitimate moves and goal chances.
Key players - identifying and protecting.
Reading the play for intelligent positioning.
Player management.

These sessions help officials increase awareness and sharpen observation. They generate positive exchanges, better understanding and greater respect of roles.
They also sow fertile seeds of friendship among members of the football family who share a deep passion for the game.

A phone call away from you are referees' organisations, societies, academies, and like groups, ready to welcome your expertise. Just pick up that 'phone. You will have fun - guaranteed!

3. The Magic Kingdom of Football (by Stanley Lover)

We had stopped for petrol. It was hot. The West African sun blazed into the tiny car and I felt uncomfortable from the remains of a fever which had left me weak after a hurried vaccination had gone wrong.
Kurt, my companion, was busy with the attendant discussing quantity and price at the sole, sad looking, pump which must have been the original model designed when petrol was discovered. It looked as I felt -sick. In need of a rest, a coat of paint, elbow grease on parts meant to bright and cheerful but now covered with grime and brick-red dust from the bush road. My mouth was dry, my body beginning to burn from the heat and the fever. This was supposed to be the cool of the morning. Thin cotton shirt, white tropical shorts and open sandals, were all that I wore but I was drenched in perspiration. The worst was yet to come.

We had just started our business journey from the Ghana capital, Accra, to the Volta Dam. Could I last the whole day? Could I now suggest that we postpone our visit? Would Kurt agree to take me back to my bungalow where I had a stock of cold drinks and a large fan which swished lazily and coolly over my bed? I could rest there all day and be fit for the journey tomorrow. But no, it would cause too many complications.

I left the car and walked towards the nearest available shade by the wall of a small building which served as the house, office and storeroom of the petrol station attendant. He was now in lively conversation with Kurt, his wide hat flopping up and down rhythmically with the movement of his head as he made his point.

Approaching the house I became aware of noise and activity on the balcony above the entrance. What I saw attracted my interest. Two small boys, no more than 7 or 8 years old, moved excitedly and happily on an area about three metres by two. They were playing football. Unaware of my presence as I watched, they were in a world of their own. Thin in body, poorly clothed, their faces carried constant broad smiles, displaying gleaming white teeth when their wide mouths broke into laughter.

Apart from their restricted playing field the only accessory was a ball - a tight bundle of rags. No goalposts, corner flags or officials, their imagination transported them into the centre of the most important match in history. They wriggled and jumped, kicked and pushed with wild excitement of free expression. One boy lifted the ball by gripping his toes on a stray end of rag. They burst into great shrieks of laughter and giggles.

In their world they were the great Pele or another idol, bobbing, weaving, beating opponents with a body swerve, a drag-back, swift acceleration and scoring the winning goal in the World Cup Final with a brilliantly judged volley crashing the ball into the back of the net. A joy to behold.
In reality the rag ball came spinning down and landed at my feet in a puff of red dust. Two excited faces looked down silently imploring me to throw the ball back. I did. It had hardly touched the balcony before a new World Cup Final began amid shouts, laughs and chuckles, in complete isolation from the real world. I, too, was transported into another world for what seemed an age and yet it was for just a few minutes. Minutes of joy and elation. My cares were forgotten.

"Are you coming? cried Kurt. I fixed the images in my mind, said a
silent farewell to the boys and returned to the car feeling refreshed after that invigorating journey into the magic kingdom of football where a child with a ball is king.

Yours in sport,
Stanley Lover
©Stanley Lover 1997