I wanna be a FIFA Referee.

[JRutledge]

I just got through watching the PBS show "Inside" and the subject was the "FIFA Club Championships."

The show was about all the background stuff that takes place in the 2005 FIFA Club Championships in Japan. One of the features of the program was the referees. The officials spent a week in Japan and doing on field training. Part of the training involved officials wearing a heart monitor while running around and the officials were picked on this primarily (or at least that is how they characterized it in the show). He looked at some data later and decided who was going to work. The head referee was basically a fill in during the training week because someone else got an injury.

Now here is the good part. The officials the day of the game were given full body massages, acupuncture and they were put into an oxygen chamber to help with injuries and aching bodies. Where can I get that!!!

Also part of the program one of the assistant referees (guys on the sideline) had 3 very close offside calls that resulted in goals that were waved off. The losing team was the violators of each call. The officials got each call right. The game ended in 1-0 (nil) and the officials were approached or taunted by the losing team. They did not go to the locker room because in the award ceremony the officials were given medals.

Now I knew of the medals and that the officials did not leave the field immediately after the game, but it just was odd. This was just very interesting how different the sport is at this level. The show also followed a photographer, a film crew using a sky cam, the coordinator of all events surrounding the game and the officials. It was just very interesting to see how officials are treated in another sport at the highest level.

Next time I work a game I want my message, acupuncture and the oxygen tank or I am not working.

Peace

[JugglingReferee]

werd.

[grunewar]

Originally Posted by JRutledge

They did not go to the locker room because in the award ceremony the officials were given medals (and shook hands?).

I think they adopted this part from Massachusetts!

[FrankHtown]

My sister only let her kids watch PBS, cause she thought it was more "educational." Anyway, her kids are dumb as a mud fence, but, boy, can they cook!

[Dan_ref]

Originally Posted by FrankHtown

My sister only let her kids watch PBS, cause she thought it was more "educational." Anyway, her kids are dumb as a mud fence, but, boy, can they cook!

That made me laugh, thanks.

Originally Posted by M&M Guy

You get water?!?!?

Leaky roof in the locker room.

[M&M Guy]

Originally Posted by Dan_ref

Leaky roof in the locker room.

Wow.

I only get what's left in the bucket after they wring out the towels.

[Dan_ref]

Originally Posted by M&M Guy

Wow.

I only get what's left in the bucket after they wring out the towels.

Thanks. I just bought this cup of coffee and no way I can drink it now.

[rockyroad]

Originally Posted by M&M Guy

Wow.

I only get what's left in the bucket after they wring out the towels.

That is truly disgusting.

And Frank - thanks for the laugh.

On a serious type of reply note, I could handle the massage - even from Helga the rugby player - but I don't do needles very well so the acupuncture is out. The oxygen chamber would be cool, but with my luck they would probably get the mixture wrong and I'd end up high or something...plus, then you'd actually have to ref the soccer match and I know I'd end up bored and fall asleep right there in the middle of the field (or do they call it a pitch?). Think of the taunting I'd have to endure then!!

Add to all that the fact that I'd probably end up with Dan and M&M as my sideline referees and the whole match would be headed straight to hell to meet up with JR!

[Mark Padgett]

Originally Posted by M&M Guy

Wow.

I only get what's left in the bucket after they wring out the towels.

That must make those wings and legs taste really bad!

[Adam]

Originally Posted by Dan_ref

Leaky roof in the locker room.

You get a roof?

[fullor30]

Originally Posted by JRutledge

I just got through watching the PBS show "Inside" and the subject was the "FIFA Club Championships."

The show was about all the background stuff that takes place in the 2005 FIFA Club Championships in Japan. One of the features of the program was the referees. The officials spent a week in Japan and doing on field training. Part of the training involved officials wearing a heart monitor while running around and the officials were picked on this primarily (or at least that is how they characterized it in the show). He looked at some data later and decided who was going to work. The head referee was basically a fill in during the training week because someone else got an injury.

Now here is the good part. The officials the day of the game were given full body massages, acupuncture and they were put into an oxygen chamber to help with injuries and aching bodies. Where can I get that!!!

Also part of the program one of the assistant referees (guys on the sideline) had 3 very close offside calls that resulted in goals that were waved off. The losing team was the violators of each call. The officials got each call right. The game ended in 1-0 (nil) and the officials were approached or taunted by the losing team. They did not go to the locker room because in the award ceremony the officials were given medals.

Now I knew of the medals and that the officials did not leave the field immediately after the game, but it just was odd. This was just very interesting how different the sport is at this level. The show also followed a photographer, a film crew using a sky cam, the coordinator of all events surrounding the game and the officials. It was just very interesting to see how officials are treated in another sport at the highest level.

Next time I work a game I want my message, acupuncture and the oxygen tank or I am not working.

Peace

"Next time I work a game I want my message, acupuncture and the oxygen tank or I am not working."

Is that a full body message with a happy ending?

[Bad Zebra]

Originally Posted by JRutledge

Now here is the good part. The officials the day of the game were given full body massages, acupuncture and they were put into an oxygen chamber to help with injuries and aching bodies.

And here I've been settling for a filthy coach's office, a bottle of cold water and an Advil.

[jdw3018]

Originally Posted by Bad Zebra

And here I've been settling for a filthy coach's office, a bottle of cold water and an Advil.

Your water is cold?!?!

[M&M Guy]

Originally Posted by jdw3018

Your water is cold?!?!

You get water?!?!?

[Bad Zebra]

Originally Posted by jdw3018

Your water is cold?!?!

Well yeah...doesn't everyone pack ice in their travel bag?