Spurs Soccer - Stop FIFA from ruining our game

By Gary Beaumont
February 14 2004

Once upon a time it was thought that women were the only ones who couldn’t understand the offside rule. Now it appears referees are having just as much trouble when it comes to enforcing one of the most over-implemented rules in the modern game of Football.

Basically and in a nutshell, we need clearer guidelines.

Perhaps “clearer guidelines” to FIFA this may mean adding another sub-section to the existing rule which explains the rule which explains the offside rule. This would be typical of the way FIFA operate these days and sometimes I think they look at the game and try their best to take away the finer aspects of our beloved sport. Football/Soccer is one of the most popular activities in the world because of its free flowing & passionate nature, a trait which no other activity can emulate (well maybe one).

So here is a message to FIFA; yes, update the game, bring it into the 21st century but please don’t ruin it any more.

That is why new laws relating to the offside ruling, which have been exploited recently, need to be clarified in order to help referees concentrate on making the game flow. Referees shouldn’t be there to help enforce the rules of the game, they should be there to help the game as a spectator sport. Every-time a new law is added it then it gives referees more of a reason to ruin the game further more. What we don’t want is certain officials having their own interpretation of the rules and leaving there personal mark on a game. This aforementioned problem is starting to happen more and more often and many fans will now look at a programme to see which referee is “officiating” the match. There are some names that when mentioned bring a groan en masse and in reality this shouldn’t be the way we operate.

If you disagree with the sketchiness of the new/amended offside laws then complete this online petition;

http://www.petitiononline.com/offside1/petition.html

Spurs Soccer - Stop FIFA from ruining our game