Leeds players alledge referee racism

[Leedsunited]

I don't know if any of you guys saw the report from the Energie Cottbus v Leeds United pre-season friendly, it is alleged that Jermaine Beckford, a black Leeds player was the victim of racism by the Dutch referee, who then sent him off for his reaction, as well as Leeds captain Jonathan Douglas and assistant manager Gus Poyet, who both intervened. Apparently he's a Champions League referee....Any thoughts?

[Footballer]

I will say that I didn't see the game nor read the reports. But I've often found that what us referees try to do and how players perceive what we are doing can be profoundly different.

Example: I was at Regionals this year. During one match, I was an AR. This one player was totally out of control. The center referee cautioned him early and provided attention throughout the match to KEEP him in the game. The CR stayed close to play especially when he's involved. Talked to him. Paid attention after the play was away from him. All of this just in case something volatile happened.

Then, it really did happen. Another reckless challenge in my opinion. Opponent down on the ground rolling around. CR did not give 2nd caution. I guess he wanted to keep him in the game. A minute later, the kid committed another foul. He immediately turned on the CR verbally - and at that point had no choice but to straight red card him.

As he came off the pitch and walked by me, he told his coaches, "Yo, the referee is harassing me out there!"

Let me tell you, the CR did no such thing. He was calm and respectful to the player. But the player felt he was targeted.

Sometimes, that's how things go.

[Leedsunited]

I will say that I didn't see the game nor read the reports. But I've often found that what us referees try to do and how players perceive what we are doing can be profoundly different.

Example: I was at Regionals this year. During one match, I was an AR. This one player was totally out of control. The center referee cautioned him early and provided attention throughout the match to KEEP him in the game. The CR stayed close to play especially when he's involved. Talked to him. Paid attention after the play was away from him. All of this just in case something volatile happened.

Then, it really did happen. Another reckless challenge in my opinion. Opponent down on the ground rolling around. CR did not give 2nd caution. I guess he wanted to keep him in the game. A minute later, the kid committed another foul. He immediately turned on the CR verbally - and at that point had no choice but to straight red card him.

As he came off the pitch and walked by me, he told his coaches, "Yo, the referee is harassing me out there!"

Let me tell you, the CR did no such thing. He was calm and respectful to the player. But the player felt he was targeted.

Sometimes, that's how things go.

I know that happens a lot. My worry is, having seen the highlights, how spontaneous the reaction was from others around. The Leeds chief exec is talking to FIFA about it. I'll let you know.

[jacoismyhero]

Referees at the highest level are trained to have the clearest heads and think appropriately and rationally in all situations. Players, however, have a stark history of becoming out of control in countless incidents due to hormones and emotions running full force in the heat of important matches.

Footballer's example is not uncommon, and I've seen it on more than one occasion, due to the sheer emotional reaction that players get.

Now, does that mean that the referee definitely didn't step over the line? Of course not... All humans are fallible, and by no means am I dismissing the case without reading more into it.

[Leedsunited]

Referees at the highest level are trained to have the clearest heads and think appropriately and rationally in all situations. Players, however, have a stark history of becoming out of control in countless incidents due to hormones and emotions running full force in the heat of important matches.

Footballer's example is not uncommon, and I've seen it on more than one occasion, due to the sheer emotional reaction that players get.

Now, does that mean that the referee definitely didn't step over the line? Of course not... All humans are fallible, and by no means am I dismissing the case without reading more into it.

My main point to ask, was what punishment is possible for referees? I mean its looking like a storm in a teacup now. Our CEO has had several occassions of reacting badly to referees, and I can see him getting into trouble if he doesn't substantiate this.

[jacoismyhero]

If a referee does something like that, and they definitely prove it, he won't be doing games at that level for a long time, if ever. Hell, if he really said something that bad, they could just blacklist him altogether.