Kill the Ref!!!!

That was probably the thought going through some teenage minds yesterday afternoon as one team lost 3-2 to another during our second Diguna Champions League semi-final. One team led twice but ended up losing with the aforementioned score line, to goals they concluded were all dubious. I was the referee and had two very able assistant referees, so I never doubted their decisions. The first goal was a penalty; the second was a goal in which the ball went through the net, literally. The ball tore into the net and went through the net. I saw it as a goal, as did my closest assistant ref, but the team that conceded the goal claimed that it went in. For the third goal, there was a fifty-fifty collision between the goal keeper and the opposing striker. The assistant referee was in a very good position to see the event and claimed that the striker got to the ball before touching the goalkeeper, although contact was made. In all cases, there was contention but in every case, we made firm decisions and stuck to them.

The team that lost was feeling bitterly aggrieved, but some of them came later to greet us and to chat with us. This was very encouraging, because the same team caused a fight last year when results didn’t go their way. Their captain could even afford a smile, and his good-natured approach to the whole thing prompted me to buy him a big cold soda. That helped cool him down even more. Undoubtedly, some of them will never want to see me or my fellow match officials, but these are things that we all have to cope with in life.

The league ends this coming Sunday and I cannot wait for it to be over. As much as I have enjoyed it, it has also been quite challenging especially when I have to rush back from church or a school Sunday service to be there on time. Nevertheless, I will have some fond memories of the league and it will be great meeting with the kids along the way as I do my rounds in the neighbourhood. The last thought as the game ended might have been for my demise, but I truly hope and pray that their thoughts about fairness and God will be gracious as they continue in their development.