A League Referees

30 second search give me these

A-League drops referee but Sydney FC defender Nikola Petkovic's ban remains
http://www.smh.com.au/sport/soccer/sydney-fc/aleag...

Top A-League referee dropped
http://theworldgame.sbs.com.au/article/2012/10/25/...

FFA will review referee structure after dropping Jarred Gillett, Chris Beath after week one of finals
http://www.foxsports.com.au/football/a-league/ffa-...

Thank you, thats what we were looking for. That is much more helpful than your 8th grade response before. You're getting there. Glad you took some time to remedy your childness.

Because I am genuinely interested in this issue, I read the 3 articles kindly provided by 2ndBest and have some observations.

1. Ben Williams was the subject of 2 of those (2012 & 2014).

2. Nothing from this season, but that does not mean it hasn't happened and policy is no longer in place.

3. I wonder what they do on their stand down weekend? You would hope that there is some sort of programme in place that helps them rectify their weaknesses rather than just sitting on their chuff.

4. Takes us back to the original question, why are A League refs so substandard?

5. Some actual thoughts rather than unconstructive critism of other's ideas without providing some thoughtful commentary of your own would be appreciated.

A League referees are so bad because their parent board believes mediocre is an acceptable standard. Unlike players whom are always trying to prove themselves, referees accept they are going to get games regardless and appear to see no need to aim for that perfect refereeing game.

The question I would ask is who is running the referees in Australia? What has he done, whats his credentials? Thats where I would look to target improvement.

If you have recidivist poor driver teaching another to drive, what are you going to produce?

Ben Wilson. Used to be a FIFA ref. In my opinion he's done a good job after inheriting a sharkstorm from Mark Shield in 2012.

Things are improving, but since they were so bad to start off with, it isn't showing much yet.

http://www.footballaustralia.com.au/article/ben-wilson-appointed-as-ffa-director-of-referees/msh1e08075ut1dfluptyiifrx

Ben Wilson was a FIFA AR, not a referee. Retired end of 2011 I think.

Selectively they do - you only needed to breathe near ADP or even Broich in seasons gone past and the ref's were whistling it up quick smart..

Guy acuses someone else of being childish by wiritng a childish post.

Interesting article saying A-league referees are doing well and on track to get big calls right better than their counterparts in NRL, AFL.

http://m.smh.com.au/sport/soccer/aleague-referees-...

Ouch

Good on them. At least if they end up having to have a vote about an incident in the penalty area, there is an odd number, so you won't get a tie!

Sounds like a good idea.

12 Months since a post on this thread and has the standard of A League match officials improve? NOT one friggen bit. I love the consistancey - let's fudge the Phoenix over!

I don't watch any other A League games other than the Nix and I think I'm pretty unbiased when it comes to evaluating this kind of thing but the standard of refereeing of the Nix games is usually very poor. When the refs have a bad game, they tend to have howlers and [without being too precious] usually it goes against us. If this is the usual standard of officiating in the A League, then they have a serious problem. The League will not grow and get better if the officiating doesn't keep up.

Edit: Just to add, officiating is an issue in most sports to some degree or another, but when continual poor officiating has an effect on the outcome of games [not just 1 or 2 and every now and then] it is fudgeing serious issue that must be addressed by the powers that be.

I don't give a crap if the referee is bad, so long as he is bad towards both teams. Having said that, after 10 years, I would have hoped that the standard had actually improved but it has not. Bring back Matthew Breeze.

Makes me wonder sometimes if regular poor refereeing decisions against us are not some sort of unannounced metric.

Seriously enough I think it is (indirectly) - I would suggest that only a very good ref is completely unaffected by the size of the audience baying for his blood if he penalises the home team. What they hear from the public in the AAMI Stadium is way more intimidating than what they hear at the Westpac Stadium in Welly.  I know it is a thin argument, but in my mind it is related to crowd support.

plus we usually tend to get assigned the worst or more inexperienced referees. So makes sense that more incorrect calls would go against us. 

Is not Conger a Kiwi ref? Thought he was very good in a game at RoF (can't remember which) and we also had him to thank in the WSW game when he failed to spot Kosta's handball in the buildup to our equaliser.

Needs more Jamie Cross

Come back Matthew Breeze, all is forgiven.

referee

rɛfəˈriː/

noun

1. 1.

   an official who watches a game or match closely to ensure that the rules are adhered to and (in some sports) to arbitrate on matters arising from the play.

   "the referee sent off two French players"

   synonyms:

   umpire, judge, referee's assistant, assistant referee, linesman, line judge, adjudicator, arbitrator, arbiter, mediator; informalref "the referee blew his whistle for a penalty"

2. 2.
   BRITISH

   a person willing to testify in writing about the character or ability of someone, especially an applicant for a job.

   "the subject of a bad reference can sue the referee for libel"

   synonyms:

   supporter, character witness, backer, advocate "applications should include a curriculum vitae and the names of two referees"

UK /ˌref.əˈriː/ US /ˌref.əˈriː/[ C ] (JUDGE)

Take your pick, I'm sure one of these fits.

Newcastle have had some shocking decisions go against them this year. The 'level' offsides which always get called back if it's them or us or the Mariners but not if it's Melbourne or Sydney have been shocking this year too.

Why can't Harper or Cockrill get off the Nix bandwagon and write an article ripping the Refs not just for being poor but for being biased as hell too (even if it's probably unintentional).

He was awful in the WSW game, but at least he was fair to both sides.

A year on from this and not much has changed.. (Warning some language)

That is brilliant.

It appears that the pathetic standard of sports officials is not just restricted to A League football. Anything to give Aussie a win I guess.

Bolt