Date:         Thu, 2 Jan 2003 16:47:53 -0500
Reply-To:     Michael Cotleur <[log in to unmask]>
Sender:       Discussion of Topics for Soccer Referees <[log in to unmask]>
From:         Michael Cotleur <[log in to unmask]>
Subject:      Ref  screw up in 1-1-03 Liverpool vs. Newcastle
Comments: cc: [log in to unmask], [log in to unmask]
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Jack,
        Your responses to Jim and me demonstrate our point - you haven't
given Any thought to the Consequences of your proposal.
        This is not rocket science.  If a federation's referee authority
were EVER permitted to accept appeals by players or named subs, for
discipline meted out by the refs, what do you think would happen in
tomorrow's games?
        "Sorry, Mr. Ref, sir - I only swore at you last time (and kicked
you in the privates), because I was convinced you had made a mistake,
see?  And we know the appellate board will now reduce or eliminate all
misconduct decisions if we are right, and you are wrong, see?  And we
NEVER dispute a ref, except of course when you're wrong.  And of course
you're never wrong, except when WE think so.  But we honestly did think
you were wrong, and , and . . . "


Michael D. Cotleur, F.E.R.C. Trial Attorney
tel. (202) 502-8519   fax. (202) 208-1219
"We are what we repeatedly do.  Excellence, then, is not an act, but a
habit."         Aristotle