TWO REFEREES

Evening Post, Volume CXX, Issue 18, 20 July 1935, Page 22

TWO REFEREES

GAME JS NOW FASTER

Recent experiments in England in ~ which two referees took joint control '■ of a Soccer match may have paved the way for the appointment of two referees as a regular thing. Soccer's ever-increasing tendency > towards greater speed has made the referee's task a harder one every season, and the alteration of „the off-side rule, in 1925 still further assisted to add pace and unexpectedness to the game. As a natural development came the suggestion to copy hockey practice by using two refeVees, each to control one half of the field. The idea seems to have much to recommend it, but local supporters of the game could make up their minds about it more easily if they were given a demonstration.

Football officialdom in England has so far set its face against the idea of having two referees, but the fact that the experiment with two referees has been tried may be taken as a certain indication that the rulers of the game are'at any .rate prepared to test it thoroughly. Actually so many requests have been made for the idea to be tried that it could not Very well have been refused: In-any event, it cannot now be said of the game's rulers that they take no notice of suggestions, and it-,may be that:the further experiments will remove one of the main objections to it—that it would entail, if adopted, the employment of four officials to control each match.

In other words, it is, just; possible that the need for linesmen; will be overcome if the experiments convince the' authorities. that two referees are better than one. One-big argument in favour of two referees'is. that there

as ; ho:need for a referee to be'a sprin.ter to be able to keep up with the play. Thus, with the requirements id a physical sense reduced considerably by the limitation of the referee's duties to one half of the, field it may follow that linesmen , become superfluous. ■ I, " ■■■' ' When will the idea be tried in New Zealand? •