Tea and Busquets
SILVER
Probably a certified ref. Doesn't seem a big deal really. People can actually set aside biases, you know. Well, most people...We had this happen last year vs a very dirty team. We were told they would give us GOOD (a very experienced referee) for our rematch game at home. Well, the 'experienced' referee DIDN'T show up for the game for whatever reason - so we had to the two ARs present. The two ARs said they would run a two man system -- but got nervous when we setup our video recording equipment (we record all games). They said they would only run the two man system if we didn't video tape the game. Come to find out that CSL does NOT allow the two man system and if word got back to CSL (or possibly the ref assignor) the referees were worried they could get in trouble. They ended up getting a club linesman from the other team (of course). The club linesman was calling (not calling for them) offside (was staying tightly with last defender etc...) and was pointing direction on all throw-ins. It may have been the case that the ref was ignoring his throw-in directions but it didn't appear to be the case since the same thing occurred in the second half. And at half-time the club linesman from the other team was sitting with the two other referees at half-time. I don't think he should've been doing that. It gives a bad appearance.
We have it all on video. Man -- by video taping every game we have captured some real interesting stuff that goes on in games. I recommend it for every team if it is something you can do.