Welcome to the March meeting.

As the end of the season draws to a close, the usual close season debates have started, currently being looked at are the ten yard rule, having two referees, professional referees, goal sensors and a complete overhaul of the timing of the season. No doubt much time and effort will be spent debating these matters. This month's magazine has a range of articles from various papers with comment on these matters. The one rule I am sure we would all like to see is the ten-yard rule, this has been tested in Jersey this season. Initially if referees received dissent following a free kick they were advised to caution the player and move the ball back 10 yards, which I believe is defeating the object. We are looking to reduce the amount of dissent received by referees and reduce the number of cautions, on occasions when we receive comments we will tell the players to get on with it and not caution them, it is these occasions when we wish to move the ball back. In my opinion players will get more worked up about moving the ball back 10 yards than a caution as it is an instant punishment. From the press comment I have seen I believe FIFA are currently debating this with a view to implementing in the season 2000/1.

Whilst out and about this month I have discussed the matter of disciplinary hearings for new and young referees with a couple of referees on separate occasions. One young referee from this district was called up to the Lancashire FA head quarters in Preston for a hearing. Whilst I heard of another referee aged 14, not in this district who was called for a hearing. He did not know what to expect so took his mother and sister (!!) to the hearing to give him some moral support. I would have to question the FA of this particular district, the FA is responsible for the recruitment of referees, these disciplinary hearings are daunting enough for the seasoned referee, although for a new or young referee they will just about be enough to decide to pack it in. We need a policy for referees to be able to take an experienced official with them to provide moral support, they do not need to participate in the hearing, only provide guidance of what to expect. For any referee in the room who gets called to a hearing do think about taking someone with you.

I am pleased to say in this district the particular referee who went to Lancashire FA was accompanied by a senior referee.

Regards, Alan Budenberg