If Only Football Could Follow This Example

[ChillDoubt]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/26767000

It's nice to see that someone is determined to uphold the standards of the game I love and enjoy so much.

[Ken4155]

Or other rugby union sides for that matter, CD. Not as if it's common practice for clubs to take this stance.

[ChillDoubt]

To be fair though Ken, it so often is not an issue at the majority of clubs.
As pointed out in the letter, yes, you will get a bit of banter, that is an acceptable part of rugby.
Abuse of the officials is generally frowned upon, certainly is at our club and those guilty of it are heavily punished.

It probably helps that we (rugby referees) are encouraged to have a drink with the teams at the end of the match in order to iron out any differences of opinion or queries over the laws etc.
I am unsure as to whether that is the case in football.
For those who are a little forthright I usually invite them to help put something back into rugby and take the refs course, an offer they almost always decline!

[bibblebub]

that chairman is telling fans (not the players) to refrain from abusing the officials

[Ken4155]

Totally understand where you're coming from, CD, and you have my utmost respect. I once stood in as a referee at one of my son's school matches, a million years ago, and the amount of stick i got from the parents was quite frightening. Never again!!

[ToraToraTora]

Frankly I'm amazed that Newbury has been infiltrated by some morons. I've been to hundreds of rugby matches, from England to U7 club sides and aside from occasional under the breath mumbling I've never heard any abuse of the referees. Association Football is a disgrace but I blame the FIFA/FA and the referees themselves for letting it happen.