I MUST applaud Ian Ridley’s balanced and thought provoking piece regarding referees’ respect (NLP, September 10). Everyone conveniently forgets, that respect must be earned, it is not a right.
I watched a Step 3 derby on August Bank Holiday Monday, where the referee had travelled 240 miles, to provide a ‘service’ to both clubs, and their supporters.
He managed to send off one player for stamping on an opponent, but failed to mention in his report the player subsequently tearing off his shirt, throwing it to the ground and kicking a water bottle. He also had an unfort...