January 04, 2009

We all know more or less that many gamesmanship actions take place during a game. So, I would like to mention the following:

As an example, during the World Cup 2006 game Italy vs. France, nobody, not even any camera sees what Materazzi was doing during the game, or during the game stoppages, but more specifically what he was telling to Zidane.

I can assure you that I know, at least 99% that Materazzi was carrying out his gamesmanship strategy as well as the orders of his coach during the entire duration of the game. It appeared as if he was completely innocent, and none of the officials noticed that anything wrong was occurring.

However, we should not blame the player Materazzi, but the refereeing system instead. The problem is that this system was the one that the referee and his assistants had to follow, and unfortunately this is the case for many years across the world.

Therefore, we cannot blame the referees as well as Mr. Materazzi.

The only blame lies in the present refereeing system. In other words, we should blame ourselves (Instructors and referees responsible) and not the players.

I mentioned above that I knew to 99% certainty how Materazzi was working. It is very simple; please have a look at the following example, which concern myself.

When I use to play football in Greece – 1st division and just 17 years old, my coach chose me to be the player who will make sure that the best opposing player is unable to use his talents and abilities to play his game.

I feel very sorry for this, but this was what I had to do through all games.

I was not a very good player, but I carried out the gamesmanship tactics perfectly, so my coach never started the play without me.

Note: The day before a game, I always had a private meeting with my coach, in order to know specifically what I should do during the game the next day.

I can assure you that I was worse – by far - than Mr. Materazzi.

My coach taught and trained me in how to establish an excellent relationship with all the referees.

I never complained to any of them, on the contrary I applauded and accepted their decision even when they were wrong.

I always told them they were correct. In a few words, I became close friends with all of them so that I was able to do what my coach was asking me to do.

As I mentioned, no referee understood what I was doing, some of them were suspicious, but the opponents’ coaches and players certainly knew what was going on. So, I repeatedly got badly kicks in my knees - I had 2 operations - and as a result my father did not permit me (very correctly) to continue my career as a player. However, my father did accept that I become a referee.                 

My dear friends, regardless the fact I was very young, in a very short time I officiated only a few games in low level divisions, and then after I officiated almost permanently at first division men matches.

The important matter is that, after officiating in a few games at low division, the responsible committee starting using me as referee in the first division games; actually I was very young for the first division.

However, I had no problem whatsoever in carrying out my refereeing duties in the first division also very successfully.

The reason for my success was simple; all players knew that I was the master of gamesmanship, so they avoided using gamesmanship tactics altogether. Who ever tried to do so was sent home immediately and an extremely detailed report was submitted to Federation concerned at all times.

My dear friends, as a referee I did not allow anybody to perform the bad tactics that I used when I was a player.

SOLUTION:

I mentioned the above in order for you to understand that what I have in my mind is: Our referees worldwide should be experienced retired players and should be trained and taught the Laws of the Game, and their responsibilities and duties ON THE FIELD OF PLAY BY A REFEREE COACH.

In a classroom we can teach the theoretical Laws of the game, but not even 2% of playing tactics (you already have the required DVD concerning the REFEREE COACH).

The lecturing in a classroom concerning prayer’s tactics, their behavior and attitude and how the officials should deal with them (regardless the grade of the participants) should be abolished altogether. This is a work that should be carried out on the field of play.

I know at the beginning it will be difficult to get experienced players to quit playing in order to became referees; but it is the only solution that FIFA, the I.F.A.B, the National Associations as well all the Confederations should work on and as soon as possible.

If we want our game to be played without gamesmanship actions we should establish new standards in how to build up referees, who they must prove that they know the game but more importantly they have played it.

During that discussion it would be very profitable if the media is present and participate in the discussion if they would like to do so.  

With my most warmly respect and regards.

Constantinos Dino Soupliotis 

Former FIFA REFEREE & FIFA REFEREE INSTRUCTOR

CANADIAN SOCCER HALL OF FAME INDUCTEE