IT’S THE new weapon in a referee’s armoury. Whistle? Check. Stopwatch? Check. Notebook? Check. Pencil? Check. Yellow and Red cards? Check. Can of magic spray…?
Yes, you read that right. Not for repelling red-faced, vein popping meatheads with a quick shot between the eyes when a decision goes against them, but for marking out free-kicks.
OK it might not be as glitzy as goal line technology but it could eradicate sneaky gamesmanship.
We’ve all seen players – and all done it ourselves when playing – inch the wall forward or seen the attacking team, ahem, ‘re-position’ the ball closer when the referee turns his back.
But not when you’ve got a spray paint wielding official around! It could be seen in last weekend’s MLS Cup Final – that saw David Beckham sign off his LA Galaxy career with another trophy – and is used in other countries such as Brazil and Argentina.
The referee sprays a line on the pitch where the free-kick is to be taken from, paces out the ten yards and puts down another marker to stop the wall encroaching.
It’s simple but immediately cuts out those trying to steal even the tiniest of advantages.
Within a couple of minutes the white line has dissipated to save the pitch resembling a game of dot-to-dot come the final-whistle.
So if you see a referee near you carrying paraphernalia more associated with a graffiti artist you know why. It could become a vital piece of kit. Now, for those spectacles…
I was once known as James Honeysett. Only for 90 minutes you understand. My mate’s team were short at the end of their season and I was keen to help out.
As I wasn’t registered I had to play under a false name and steer well clear of any controversy with the referee. Mission completed, I had a good game, was signed up for the next season and everyone moved on.
Thankfully my pseudonym days weren’t in the time of twitter and facebook – a pitfall waiting to happen for desperate secretaries and managers.
Amersham Town were slung out of the FA Vase after one of their players, Matthew Stone, tweeted his dismay at England’s rugby performance against South Africa.
Stone had been named on the Amersham team-sheet – with the Quarterboys attempting to play Eddie Savage under his name.
Unfortunately for the Spartan South Midlands Division One side their opponents Rye United are tech-savvy, spotted the comment and lodged a complaint with the FA.
Rye secretary Roger Bond said: “Maybe a few years ago they would have got away with this but eyes are everywhere now.”
Amersham declined the opportunity to comment when contacted by The NLP.
