Miroslav Klose falls in the penalty area and the referee decides on penalties. He then goes to the SR and says it wasn't a foul - a rare moment in football (2005).
A scene that is repeated day after day in the district: after a press hit, the ball sails over the goal line. While the defender naturally demands a goal kick, from the striker's point of view only a corner kick is the correct continuation of the game.
No matter how the referee decides, one of the two players feels disadvantaged - which is often expressed in vehement protests.
"You're the referee, you decide!"
More and more often, the supposedly unjustly treated person then asks the referee to ask the other player who was last on the ball.
If the referee agrees to this in individual cases - it is all too often not advisable to ask - the reactions are correspondingly varied: from the rare "right, I was last" to "referee, I don't know myself" to "no , I never touched the ball ”, the whole range is offered.
Some also like to pass the referee the buck: "You're the referee, you decide!"
Personal benefit is more important than correct decision
It is a fact, however, that in most cases own possession of the ball is more important to the players and coaches than to contribute to the correct decision making.
Sometimes the actors are even scolded for an honest answer by their own teammates or those responsible on the sidelines.
Referees are not always innocent either
But the impartial are not always innocent. Last year, a referee decided on a goal kick for the defending team after a failed shot on goal.
A defender had touched the leather and told the referee that he was still on the ball. However, the latter insisted on his decision.
The referee finally acknowledged another warning from the defender about the ball being deflected with a yellow card for the honest footballer and left it at the goal kick.
Fair play only works if everyone participates
Whether the soccer players, the coaches or the referees - everyone is called upon to treat each other better and more truthfully.
Because even if in the current situation, in the currently running game, an injustice may result in an advantage for your own team, it remains unforgettable for the opponent until the next duel.
Text: Jochen Jürgens