"Spare the rod, spoil the child"

Lately, the Dhivehi league was smeared by incidents by errors of the match officials and misconduct by team officials and also the players. Although the saying goes, ‘to err is human’ but to err at the expense of others is unfair. Making mistakes as referee or assistant referee is part and partial of the game but mistakes that chages the result of the match is untolerableIt happened even in the World Cup. Misinterpretation of the Laws reflects that the referee needs to read and understand his law book again and seek the clarification of the experts. Missing a foul or incident maybe is due to wrong positioning and lack or lapse of concentration of the referee. This can be corrected by having a positive approach and be more committed to the game by always moving earlier, to be nearer to see clearer and to decide better. Missing an incident by not wanting to see the incident is untolerable. This shows the referee is not courageous to make strong critical decision – to award or disallow a goal, to give a penalty or sent off a player. These referee should stay home and hand up his whistle (retire). “If you seek to make a house near the sea-side, do not be scared of the storms and waves”. On the part of the FA, action needs to be taken and have been taken. The officials concern are either given advice on ways to have a better performance next time, sidelined to regain his confidence, rested to give him a break or punished by taking off from his duties. In Maldives, the limited number of registered active referees inhibits stronger action of suspending the match officials. Actions taken must be aimed to punish and also to teach and guide them to better one for the sake of the country’s football. This will a reality when the grassroots of younger referees are better developed and gain the experiences needed, then only the older and uncommitted ones can be weeded out or asked to retire.
What ever the consequences or bad the decisions are, it does not give the team officials or players the rights to be irresponsible in their conducts. If their conduct merits a sent off, the match official must take the strong action of sending off the person concern. The players or team officials should be 'sporting' or professional enough to accept the consequences too. Otherwise the whole system of developing the game to a more civilized, excellent and entertaining game will fail. If the match officials do not report incidents in the match, they will be suspended. Thus, players and team officials who chose to be misconduct should also be ready to face the music! Making and raising the dignity and the name of Dhivehi league and football is not an easy task, if we seek only to play but put aside the rules and regulation. Cooperation and working hand in hand of all party will ensure that 'fair play' prevails.