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Many Australians – across several codes – feel referees are not being held accountable for poor performances. There is a perception that referees are a protected species, immune from the same type of accountability as the players.
Is it time for a new system for objectively judging the quality of referees?
What about a demerit points system?
An independent commission made up of former players, referees and coaches could be established to review each week’s performances. Each decision made by the referee would be reviewed by this panel and the results of their review would be made public. That way the decisions made during a game could be explained clearly and there would exist an objective way of measuring just how effective a referee is.
For example, a referee might make 30 decisions in a game and get 25 correct. The five decisions he gets wrong would count as demerit points and those demerit points would take into account the importance of the mistake. An error that has little bearing on the game might cost one point, but a real shocker might cost five points.
The referees could then be ranked according to the number of demerit points they accumulate. Those with the least points would be given the best appointments.
Referees in Super Rugby, AFL and NRL are seldom heard from to explain their decisions.
Is it not time for a media session where they can explain their side of the story? Why aren’t more ex-referees on TV or radio to provide some contrast and balance to the chorus of former players lining up to have a crack?
In Australia referees are subject to constant criticism and abuse for their performances – it’s an ingrained part of the sporting culture. A culture of greater openness would benefit everyone.
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