Disrespect?: We have a major refereeing problem

Because football has a problem worldwide: the sport is running out of referees. Only a few young people still want to become referees. And while the increase in the number of new players is huge (27,000 more players in Switzerland than last year), the number of referees is not. A problem that does not primarily affect the professional sector, but rather the lower leagues. This is also a big topic in Swiss amateur football.

“Precarious” situation in Switzerland

This is evident, for example, from a press release from the Football Association of the Zurich Region entitled “Association matches without referees” dated October 3, 2023. “Unfortunately, last weekend, more specifically on Sunday October 1, not all matches could be played with referees due to the short notice returns “will be internally occupied,” it said. The referee’s situation was described in the text as “precarious”. The association also called on clubs to motivate their referees to be more available.

But how does the Swiss Football Association (SFV) tackle the problem itself? What are you doing to encourage girls and boys my age to become referees? I asked the SFV. “First and foremost, we want to encourage those who already have a connection with football,” explains Stefan Baumgartner, the association’s head of communications. For example, players who were no longer sufficient in a competition want to be retained as football referees.

Switzerland needs 500 new referees

There is also a whole range of projects, such as offering referee training online to make the path easier for young people. According to Baumgartner, discussions are also underway to increase cash bonuses for amateur referees. This could also create a new financial incentive. Because for the head of communications it is clear: “To be able to plan the future safely, we need about 500 new referees.” There is a shortage of approximately 45,000 referees across Europe. Another incentive for referees in Switzerland: with their referee ID they can attend all Super League and national team matches for free.

The associations do their best to recruit new people and retain their current referees. But I think that we fans, spectators and players have a greater responsibility than the associations. Respect for referees must be greater. Whether in the stadium or on Sunday afternoon on the football field of the regional club. Too often there are insults, threats or even violence against referees on the football fields. According to SFV-Baumgartner, of the 85,000 football matches in Switzerland last year, physical violence against the referee took place in approximately 20 to 30 matches. This may not be a very large number, but each individual case is one too many.

Learn to accept mistakes

Insults and insults occur in almost every other game. I had to experience this first hand: here in Höngg, we as players have to referee the matches of our junior teams. When I once refereed an E-Junior match, I was constantly insulted on the sidelines by the parents of the away team who were watching. Not a nice feeling. And not a good role model for the children, who are only between 8 and 11 years old.

What is quickly forgotten: the referees are also only human. They also make mistakes. Imagine if the players were insulted after every bad pass or missed opportunity. Especially in the amateur field, where the referees do not have a video assistant at their side or sometimes even no linesmen available, we have to learn to accept their mistakes. I don’t absolve myself of that either. I still regret the yellow card I received on the second day of the match because of my complaint.

Awards for referees?

But even in the glamorous world of professional football, in my opinion, referees are not valued enough. Why, for example, at an event like the Ballon d’Or, in addition to all the prizes for the players, isn’t there also a referee of the year award? They are as important to the sport as any player on the field.

Another current example: In the Bundesliga top match Borussia Dortmund against Bayern Munich last Saturday, referee Deniz Aytekin showed an excellent performance. However, after the match, no one talked about it anymore. But if he had made a mistake, he would certainly have been a topic of conversation.

Certainly: Referee is a thankless position. And most referees don’t like to be in the spotlight either. But some more appreciation and respect for the referees would be good. And before it’s too late. Because the calculation is very simple: no referees, no matches.