Cheat the Referee

By Anders Clement-Hermansen

This book describes the 8 most common ways top players use to cheat the referee. If you think football at top level is fair and that players behave, think again and be surprised of all the details this book reveals.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lulu.com
• Release date: Sep 4, 2014
• ISBN: 9781312488274

Book preview

Cheat the Referee

Disclaimer

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical. All unauthorised use, sharing, reproduction or distribution is prohibited.

Introduction

The idea for this book comes from my general interest in football and specifically from my experience as a UEFA referee. I am often asked questions about what it is like and many of them are about the little things the spectators do not see and the referee will not see unless he knows what to look for. It is my hope that this book will help the reader in both respects.

In order to help spectators gain a better understanding of the referee´s job in general, I would also like to highlight the challenges that referees face in modern football.

The title How to cheat the referee can be seen as a manual on how to cheat but is rather meant as manual on how to stop it.

And to make it a bit catchy of course!

As a referee it is important to focus on the need to be impartial and being without prejudice - so a favorite team or player is out of the question!

To me, the role of being a UEFA referee is the same as an external consultant with a business - you are brought in to deliver a specific piece of work within a set time-frame. As a referee, you are tasked to deliver 2 x 45 minutes of football within the framework of the football regulations.

This a big challenge because as opposed to most business situations, the referee is working with two teams with the exact opposite agenda and he must administer the game surrounded by competitive players with a high pulse.

That combination is ripe ground for conflict.

I will try to describe the most subtle ways that players try to influence the referee and the decisions that can ultimately decide not only the game, but also where a lot of potential prize money ends up.

My definition of cheating in top football:

•         A conscious act of a player to gain an unfair advantage

•         General behavior of players to turn situations to their advantage  

In the eight chapters, I will describe each of them in detail as well as what the referee can do not to get lured into the trap. My motivation for this book is to accomplish