Does who a ref supports matter?

[Boletus Edulis]

I know that refs have to declare who they support so that they cannot officiate them, which makes sense. But what about if they ref their teams’ main rivals? Today we had Brett Huxtable, who in fairness had the best game I have seen him have, but the strong rumour is that he is an Exeter City fan. If this is true, is it okay for him to ref us, even if we are in different leagues? I doubt it has any affect on his decision making, but it could be argued that it is insensitive that he is selected to officiate us. Would you be happy to have as a ref a person who supported your biggest rival?

 

[Kenneth E End]

I find these arguments very boring - I’m sure the ref would value a potential long term career over short term bias/gain.

 

[Boletus Edulis]

I find these arguments very boring - I’m sure the ref would value a potential long term career over short term bias/gain.

I am asking questions to get people’s view rather than arguing that he should not ref us.

 

[That Fat Centre Half]

Dont normally have a big opinions on refs really but I reckon Huxtable is one of the shitter refs at this level for what its worth - looks unfit and comes across as a pompous arsehole. Always think the better refs have a bit of a rapport with the players and he never seems too from what Ive seen.

Doubt in the heat of the moment these things cross their minds, I think once you are involved in the game, club allegiances fade as a distant second to professional pride in the same way it does for players. James Collins looked pretty happy to smash one past his boyhood club Coventry the other week for instance. I would think they have a professional integrity meaning they can separate the two.

As for the broader, inferred question of referee bias, the phrase "do not attribute to malice that which is adequately explained by stupidity" springs to mind!

 

[ProfessorGreen]

As an ex ref still with links to the Devon RA circle, I know that Brett is from Barnstaple and not an Exeter fan - in fact they’d probably claim they dislike him more than our fans do, if that’s possible!

He’s not covered himself in glory in Devon it seems, although yesterday was the best performance of his I’ve seen.

 

[Boletus Edulis]

As an ex ref still with links to the Devon RA circle, I know that Brett is from Barnstaple and not an Exeter fan - in fact they’d probably claim they dislike him more than our fans do, if that’s possible!

He’s not covered himself in glory in Devon it seems, although yesterday was the best performance of his I’ve seen.

Good to hear that is does not have an allegiance. As an ex-ref myself I am always wary when we have Mr Huxtable. My issue is with his game managment and fitness. I watched him when he was sprinting to keep up with play and it is as if he is running on sand. he is simply not quick enough. That said, like you I felt this was his best game for us.

 

[Boletus Edulis]

Dont normally have a big opinions on refs really but I reckon Huxtable is one of the shitter refs at this level for what its worth - looks unfit and comes across as a pompous arsehole. Always think the better refs have a bit of a rapport with the players and he never seems too from what Ive seen.

Doubt in the heat of the moment these things cross their minds, I think once you are involved in the game, club allegiances fade as a distant second to professional pride in the same way it does for players. James Collins looked pretty happy to smash one past his boyhood club Coventry the other week for instance. I would think they have a professional integrity meaning they can separate the two.

As for the broader, inferred question of referee bias, the phrase "do not attribute to malice that which is adequately explained by stupidity" springs to mind!

There was no inferred question of referee bias. The question was clearly about what fans might think if it was generally perceived that the ref supported a rival. But hey ho.

 

[Gassy]

Pretty sure you're not allowed to referee within a certain distance of the team you support, or something along those lines.

There was some moaning recently somewhere (in L1 or L2) about a referee who was from near the area of the away side & the manager was saying it was unfair...

 

[That Fat Centre Half]

There was no inferred question of referee bias. The question was clearly about what fans might think if it was generally perceived that the ref supported a rival. But hey ho.

Why would they be worried who the ref supported if they werent concerned about bias? Its absolutely implied by your question whether you meant it or not!

Not sure why my response required a snippy response either but "hey ho"

 

[Super_horns]

Pretty sure you're not allowed to referee within a certain distance of the team you support, or something along those lines.
ma

The ref tonight in the Man C v Liverpool game is from the Manchester area ..

Wonder if he is a Man U fan!?

There aren't many refs around it seems so must be harder to get ones who aren't going to be accused of being "biased"

And with social media and the press as it is must be tricky for any ref not to get any abuse before a game now .

There have been calls for ex players to become officials as they "understand the game more " but would they want the hassle and stick that comes with it all ?!

 

[Luke_ciderhead]

Pretty sure you're not allowed to referee within a certain distance of the team you support, or something along those lines.

There was some moaning recently somewhere (in L1 or L2) about a referee who was from near the area of the away side & the manager was saying it was unfair...

Maybe us? When we played Blackburn or someone this season, there were strong murmurings of discontent that the ref was from Lancashire. Clutching at straws methinks as the number of clubs in that area made it extremely unlikely that he had any bias towards the opposition.

 

[Gassy]

The ref tonight in the Man C v Liverpool game is from the Manchester area ..

Wonder if he is a Man U fan!?

There aren't many refs around it seems so must be harder to get ones who aren't going to be accused of being "biased"

And with social media and the press as it is must be tricky for any ref not to get any abuse before a game now .

There have been calls for ex players to become officials as they "understand the game more " but would they want the hassle and stick that comes with it all ?!

Was he? I wasn't aware of that - I guess that closes that case then! Tbh, I don't think a referee in English football would actually start being lenient to a team, even if they supported them.

Maybe us? When we played Blackburn or someone this season, there were strong murmurings of discontent that the ref was from Lancashire. Clutching at straws methinks as the number of clubs in that area made it extremely unlikely that he had any bias towards the opposition.

Hmm could be, it does sound like LJ to be fair

 

[PoshinPretoria]

The ref tonight in the Man C v Liverpool game is from the Manchester area ..

Wonder if he is a Man U fan!?

If he is from Manchester he is more than likely to be a City fan...as t is he declares himself as an Altrincham fan.