A question of personality

By Mark Chaplin

Today's leading referees are all personalities in their own right – and have also learned to be good managers of people. In return, they demand acceptance of their role, both from players and the media.

Seen as people
In the latest edition of the official UEFA Champions League magazine, Champions, élite referees take great pains to explain that they must also be seen as people in their own right - a fact that many spectators might often forget in venting their frustration at match officials.

Immense responsibility
"We've changed, but we're still human," said Scottish referee Hugh Dallas, who was fourth official at the 2002 FIFA World Cup final before retiring from UEFA duty at the end of last year. "Come with us on a night out and you'll see we've got a sense of humour. It's just that we're always acutely aware of the immense responsibility that lies upon our shoulders."

More decisions
Dallas also told Champions that referees nowadays have to take more decisions, but added that only 30 or 40 per cent of these decisions, such as whether a ball has crossed the goal-line or an offside decision, are actually noticed by the crowd.

Talking off the ball
"What it still comes down to, though, is personality. In a Champions League game especially, it's extremely important that the best referees are good man-managers," he said. "It's their responsibility that players remain on the field. They do it by talking off the ball, encouraging players not to commit silly challenges."

Acceptance by the actors
UEFA Referees' Committee chairman Volker Roth, a former experienced international referee himself, argues that acceptance by the 22 players on the field is a key part of a referee's armoury. "Referees must be accepted by the players," he said. "I'm talking about people like [Pierluigi] Collina, 'Max' [Marcus] Merk and Anders Frisk. I trust them because I know their qualities. Footballers, and to some degree the media, must play their part. It is a question of education. You must respect not only referees but the rules, the opponents, the spectators."

Not enemies
Collina, who took charge of the 2002 World Cup final, believes that the onus is on the referee. "We are not enemies on the pitch," said the Italian. "There are two teams playing and the role of the referee is to help them play better. Once you have their respect you will also have their trust. And once you have their trust they will even accept the odd mistake."

Crucial element
Having your own personality is certainly seen as a crucial element - as Dallas explained: "For me the first rule any young official has to learn is, 'Don't be like any referee'. Sure, look at certain aspects of every referee – fitness, time-management, body language – but remember you have to have your own personality."