Referees are in a no-win situation... but they must stay strong and earn respect

By GRAHAM POLL FOR THE DAILY MAIL

Published: 19:02 EST, 26 August 2012 | Updated: 03:45 EST, 27 August 2012

Referees can’t win; that much we know. If they apply the laws then they are seen as pedants who need to use their common sense. When they show empathy they are accused of inconsistency. The problem is that common sense and consistency cannot work in tandem.

So referees are currently trying to follow the instruction of low involvement, only punishing the serious offences and particularly those which threaten the safety of opponents while turning a blind eye to the technical offences which, if applied, disrupt the flow of play and annoy players and spectators. 

This attitude occasionally causes more problems than it solves and Mark Cattenburg fell foul of that at Carrow Road on Saturday.

Good save: John Ruddy denied Djibril Cisse from the penalty spot

After awarding a harsh but technically correct penalty to Queens Park Rangers he then turned a blind eye to encroachment at the taking of the penalty kick by at least seven players.

Usually when encroachment occurs it has no affect. Either the penalty is scored or the keeper saves and the ball is cleared. So why bother with the technicality of encroachment?

The reason became clear at Norwich when one of the players who encroached, Bobby Zamora, scored from the rebound. A goal was scored which should not have been allowed.

Going in: Bobby Zamora scored the follow up for QPR but it should have been disallowed due to encroachment in the area

At this point let’s clarify law; if a defender or defenders encroach and a goal is scored it is allowed – if not then the penalty must be retaken.  

The reverse applies if one or more attackers encroaches.

When a players from both sides encroach then irrespective of the penalty kicks outcome the kick must be retaken.

Referees are encouraged to stand a couple of yards inside the penalty area watching the ball and the penalty taker. If any players encroach far enough into the area to go past them then they act and if not they turn a blind eye.

Such slack application of law leads to just such incidents as seen on Saturday.

It was interesting to hear that the Football League chairmen have asked referees to be more vigilant with certain technical offences as they believe that ignoring them has affected the image of the game.

Allowing players to steal too many yards at throw-ins, standing on the ball to prevent free kicks being taken as well as diving were highlighted as offences that Chairmen no longer wanted ignored.

To have club chairmen telling you to tighten up your game is a sure sign that referees have allowed the pendulum to swing too far in the direction of tolerance and understanding.

Respect must be earned and strength is the only way to get it. Otherwise we all need to get used to the slack application of law that the 2012 Olympic final referee allowed at Norwich – and was not discouraged from doing so.