Referee Microphones in football

[EJL]

The problem is some idiots are likely to call the ref a see-you-next-Tuesday any time something doesn't go their way, meaning Martin Tyler that and co. will be constantly apologising to the kids at home. If it doesn't suit the big broadcasters, it won't happen. 50% of the reason why goal-line technology got the green light was the fact that they could tie it into their coverage without a hitch.

[EJL]

I think it's a great idea to have microphones. I often go to Twickenham and The Stoop, and you can grab a little radio before the match which is tuned into the ref's mic so you can hear all the nitty gritty going on on the pitch. It's not all clean cut though, there's often a lot of swearing going on.

Still, it gives a great overview as to what is being said, it will make both players and referees think before talking or even making rash decisions. I'll also be keen to hack the ref's headset using the same frequency so that I can tell him exactly what I think of him when he makes a bad move too!

Do they still have the analougue reflinks at Twickenham? I remember going to The Millenium Stadium and it was digitalised and pre-tuned to the reflink channel, but at Twickenham you had to scroll through to find it

"If my looks don't attract the ladies, then my desire for the eradication of bad grammar and spelling surely will"

"analougue"

You have been well and truly caught. ;)

[Alan]

As much as I'd like to see it happen, it won't. Either the refs or the FA will be against it...

[Rhys Lightning 63]

I think it's a great idea to have microphones. I often go to Twickenham and The Stoop, and you can grab a little radio before the match which is tuned into the ref's mic so you can hear all the nitty gritty going on on the pitch. It's not all clean cut though, there's often a lot of swearing going on.

Still, it gives a great overview as to what is being said, it will make both players and referees think before talking or even making rash decisions. I'll also be keen to hack the ref's headset using the same frequency so that I can tell him exactly what I think of him when he makes a bad move too!

Do they still have the analougue reflinks at Twickenham? I remember going to The Millenium Stadium and it was digitalised and pre-tuned to the reflink channel, but at Twickenham you had to scroll through to find it

"If my looks don't attract the ladies, then my desire for the eradication of bad grammar and spelling surely will"

"analougue"

You have been well and truly caught. ;)

That's merely a typo. My concern is more towards these hipster teenagers who spell their, there and they're any way they want. Same for your and you're

[ToodlesMcToot]

The biggest difference between both Rugby & NFL and English Football, is that if the mike was live, the bleeping would not allow any of us to hear whatever the conversation was.

Lets get real, footballers are some of the most foul-mouthed urchins we will ever see, and the fact is that if any of the rest of us used that language in our place of work we'd get fired.

I personally really don't care what conversation transpires between the ref and players, though I would favor the idea of all transmissions being recorded for post-match analysis by those that need to investigate some calls/situations that have arisen during the game (Mikel one is a perfect example), and the refs mike in particular should be set live at all times during the time he is on the field of play.

Let's add a mike to the fouth official as well. Might settle down some management staff on the sideline.

[ToodlesMcToot]

Are referees organized/unionized in Europe generally?

[EJL]

I think it's a great idea to have microphones. I often go to Twickenham and The Stoop, and you can grab a little radio before the match which is tuned into the ref's mic so you can hear all the nitty gritty going on on the pitch. It's not all clean cut though, there's often a lot of swearing going on.

Still, it gives a great overview as to what is being said, it will make both players and referees think before talking or even making rash decisions. I'll also be keen to hack the ref's headset using the same frequency so that I can tell him exactly what I think of him when he makes a bad move too!

Do they still have the analougue reflinks at Twickenham? I remember going to The Millenium Stadium and it was digitalised and pre-tuned to the reflink channel, but at Twickenham you had to scroll through to find it

"If my looks don't attract the ladies, then my desire for the eradication of bad grammar and spelling surely will"

"analougue"

You have been well and truly caught. ;)

That's merely a typo. My concern is more towards these hipster teenagers who spell their, there and they're any way they want. Same for your and you're

Yeah, I know, mate. Just fooling around. The other one that seems to picking up speed is "brought" instead of "bought".

[Blanco]

didnt they mic a ref up years ago, for an Arsenal game but didnt tell the players, all he got was abuse he could have sent about 6 players off for Foul and abusive langauge. Think it was panaorma or something like that.

Yeah, they did. It was David Elleray in a Millwall Arsenal game. The teams were actually told the recording was going to happen but Arsenal forget to tell their players haha. Here's a short vid of how it went:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FnQ16KFDoA4

[Lighthouse]

Unlike Rugby or American funny ball shape who make a dcision basedon a rule. Our refs have to make an opinion on so many things that really have nothing to do with the rules. He would have to stand there and say things like -

' The reason Sanchez got away with the clear foul is because Liverpool are a bigger team than whoever they are playing today'

' The foul by Sidwell is exactly like the one a second ago that I didn't give. I have booked him for it because Fulham are struggling and I hate the traffic around this area'

[Rhys Lightning 63]

Unlike Rugby or American funny ball shape who make a dcision basedon a rule. Our refs have to make an opinion on so many things that really have nothing to do with the rules. He would have to stand there and say things like -

' The reason Sanchez got away with the clear foul is because Liverpool are a bigger team than whoever they are playing today'

' The foul by Sidwell is exactly like the one a second ago that I didn't give. I have booked him for it because Fulham are struggling and I hate the traffic around this area'

American football calls are based on interpretation as well. Some pass interference/holding/unsportsmanlike conduct calls get made by some officials and not by others

[ToodlesMcToot]

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[BigbadBillyMcKinley]

The difference between Rugby and Football is pretty major in that Rugby players can verbalise their thiughts without the need for swearing,  whereas footballers, without a doubt, couldn't replace ***k with an intelligent substitution.