Date:         Thu, 22 Dec 2011 20:13:25 -0500
Reply-To:     Discussion of Topics for Soccer Referees
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Sender:       Discussion of Topics for Soccer Referees
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From:         Ben Rudgers <[log in to unmask]>
Subject:      Re: Dutch Cup Anarchy at Ajax
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On Thu, 22 Dec 2011 16:40:22 -0500, Ed Marco <[log in to unmask]> wrote:

>Not so in this competition. This Is a professional match where those types
of "little things" do not matter at all. Unless the spectator was going onto
the field to tell the keeper that the Laws say he cannot wear his yellow
jersey and if he was wearing a different color the goal scored moments
before would have never happened.
>
>
>Ed Marco
>

Hi Ed,

It may be a slippery slope.

I suspect, "This is a professional match..." is exactly the same argument
that the goalkeeper's teammates were advancing to protest his send off.

And that the coach used to pull his team.

When combined with, "This isn't a professional match..." (which
unsurprisingly I hear from time to time), almost any behavior at any level
can be safely ignored.

My comment, of course, was partially tongue in cheek. 

On the other hand, I am reminded of the Broken Window Theory in so far as
perhaps the referee might have better sold his "by the book call" had he
projected himself as being by the book before the game...or rather, that the
idea might be something worth considering myself.

Thanks for the thoughtful response.

Ben

For further reading [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Broken_windows_theory]