Linesman walk off game

[steveinlowton]

What do you think?


A linesman ‘stormed off’ during a game after the referee refused to send off two players who swore at him.

The two officials exchanged words after a penalty was awarded in extra time. Ref Ossie Tosum refused to give the players red cards for using foul and abusive language against David Westhead.

It is alleged that the touchline official, who insisted both players were dismissed, walked off in disgust when Mr Tosum said he would only book the players.

The incident happened at a game in Salford between Worsley Campus and Craven Campus, from Skipton, Yorks.

FA officials are now investigating the incident at Irlam Town FC.

Mr Tosum said: “The linesman said he wanted them both sending off. I called the two players to me and told them I would give them yellow cards on condition they apologised to the linesman. They both apologised to him but he insisted he wanted me to give them both red cards.

“I told the linesman I would not send them off and he said ‘If you don’t send them off, I’m going’.

“I decided to call his bluff and said ‘Okay but I am not sending them off’. He then put his flag down and just walked off. I could not believe it.”

Mr Westhead said he had been advised not to comment while the FA investigation took place. He said: “I have prepared a report for the Lancashire County FA.

“In my opinion, the referee did not do his duty. I can’t comment further at this point.” Mr Westhead has been a referee for 33 years, with the Lancashire County FA, Wigan Amateur League, Wigan Youth league,and is on the panel of the English Schools FA.

But a friend of the linesman claimed the official had been verbally abused from the pitch.

He said: “He only heard one of the players abuse him – the player was very explicit. The other murmured something to him. He raised his flag and told the referee foul and abusive language had been used against him and it warranted a red card – there were no ifs or buts about it. The referee said it was up to his discretion. The linesman then walked off in disgust.

“One of the players ran 30 yards down the pitch to abuse him.”

[Burdock]

I suppose ultimately, its the referees call whether to send someone off or not. In the circumstances outlined, the referee seems not to have backed his linesman and hes taken the hump. If it the abuse was that bad, they should have been given red cards... it sends the wrong message not to do so.... but whatever, the linesman was wrong to walk off. He should have seen the game out and then made his complaints.... officially if necessary.

[imperial109]

No doubt it wasn't the first game that the lino has been verbally abused, and its been the straw thats broke the camels back. I hope the players involved are ashamed of themselves!

Its hard to say who you'd back. You would hope that the ref would back his assistants but it is the ref that's in charge, if the lino was that unhappy he should have raised the issue with the local FA, not walk off the pitch.

[goodison]

Should have just done a Blatter .. shook hands and claim there isn't much verbal abuse in the game ...

[glenman]

Agree with Imp.

[Begbie]

I got talked into running the line at an amateur game. I was flagging for off-side and the referee told me that he would decide 'off-side' and that I should only signal for the ball going out of play.

I know when somebody is off-side. That referee is lucky that I didn't stick a linesman's flag up his rectum, never mind walking off in the huff.

I think that it was in the North Down League. Was Glenman that ref?

[imperial109]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Begbie

I got talked into running the line at an amateur game. I was flagging for off-side and the referee told me that he would decide 'off-side' and that I should only signal for the ball going out of play.

Yeah I've had the same deal a couple of times, growing up with my dad being a ref I did manage to learn how to run the line.

But its amazing how many of the players don't have a clue, I remember one player having a go because I wasn't standing at the spot where the ball went out of play, I was standing in line of the last defender!

[glenman]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Begbie

I got talked into running the line at an amateur game. I was flagging for off-side and the referee told me that he would decide 'off-side' and that I should only signal for the ball going out of play.

I know when somebody is off-side. That referee is lucky that I didn't stick a linesman's flag up his rectum, never mind walking off in the huff.

I think that it was in the North Down League. Was Glenman that ref?

Depending when it was it might have been me offside!

[Begbie]

Quote:

Originally Posted by imperial109

Yeah I've had the same deal a couple of times, growing up with my dad being a ref I did manage to learn how to run the line.

But its amazing how many of the players don't have a clue, I remember one player having a go because I wasn't standing at the spot where the ball went out of play, I was standing in line of the last defender!

Players don't have a clue? What about the Sky pundits? It sometimes takes them 10 minutes to spot the bleeding obvious.

Quote:

Originally Posted by glenman

Depending when it was it might have been me offside!

I demand that thon referee gives you a retrospective red card.

[malkie]

was the ref's name really "Tosum"?
How apt.