Thought Id create its own thread yet interestingly; Jarred Gillett (A-League referee) is going to become the first Referee from abroad to join the list of Championship officials from next season
In his last game in Australia he was hooked up to a mic so he could be heared - Now might be difficult to have it for non Televised games but how simple does it make it for everyone to understand whats going on
Part of me would settle for getting this feature in Football over VAR!!
@PeterGage as someone who has been involved in this side of the game Id be curious to get your views on this?
A couple of random thoughts and information.
The concept of miking up a referee was trialled, I believe for one game in the late 70s, involving Arsenal (in the Tony Adams era) and I think the referee may have been David Ellery.
The trial was abandoned after just one game because of the level and frequency of swearing. I think most fans were genuinely shocked at that frequency and the level of disrespect shown by players to the match officials. Fans couldnt understand why the referee didnt taken action.
So far as the question of "miking up " referees, I am in agreement in principle but I can see some potential flaws. I am in agreement because we are living in a more transparent society where members of the public have the expectation of "information share". It may also take out some of the mystique out of refereeing and make supporters aware of the degree of difficulty of refereeing.
On the impractical side, it is difficult, if not impossible, to speak during open play whilst running at speed to keep up with play. Therefore the timing and frequency of explanations needs to be carefully considered.
As a slight aside, I like the idea of referees changing countries to referee domestically within. It broadens the experience of referees and could improve the level of refereeing in this country if and when we dont have sufficient referees on the right standard coming through our domestic system.
The game you are talking about was in 1989 Millwall vs Arsenal
Still remember Adams sprinting after Ellery screaming "You're a cheat!!! You're a cheat!!!" or something along those lines. On YouTube somewhere I'm sure
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how is he going to find time to study, referee and be our new CEO?