Somehow appropriate today ...

Friends,

It is great to be back at home and "back at it" so to speak. My last month has been filled with travel to a variety of spots around the globe. It suffices to say, I am glad to be back and firmly at my keyboard.

In this season of renewal I wanted to start with something that I have written about before, but is best told through the eyes of the person most effected.

In this, the 100th year anniversary for US Soccer, they are running a series of stories called "100 Moments" which detail something extraordinary in our shared history. On a day many celebrate as a resurrection, U.S. Referee Esse Baharmast's 36 Hours of Agony, seems a fitting choice as the man went from local hero, to world villain, to global sensation.

A great story to remind us all what it takes to have the courage to do the right thing.

In a recent post, (see Kicking Back, 2/20/13, It's a Sad Sad Day) my estimable colleague worries that the introduction of Goal Line Technology (GLT) is the 'camel's nose under the tent' and that we will be forever on a downward spiral as the game is taken over by inhuman forces [my words, not his]. 

While I lament some of the trappings of the modern game, and personally pine for the simpler days of laying in the grass and drinking from the garden hose, figuratively speaking (see Kicking Back 4/17/11, After the Batteries Die), I have to stop and ask:  Really?

Like it or not, technology has been with us in every facet of The Game for as long as we can remember.  Better shoes, better balls, better contact lenses.  Uniforms that keep you cool.  Goalkeepers wear gloves that can make a ball stick like glue.

Oh, you only want to talk about the stuff that has electrons moving through it?  Okay, let's talk about beeper flags, which are already becoming obsolete in favor of headset radio communication among the referee crew.  Referees now train with heart-rate monitors and the assignment of a referee can and will be based on the digital readout. 

Technology is not restricted to the men behind the whistle.  Games are digitally analyzed.  Speed is measured with lasers.  Players' every movements are analyzed from the moment they arise to the moment they go to sleep.  The best teams in the world select players for development based on genetic structure and body type, and those decisions are being made when they are toddlers!

The camel's nose is not under the tent, the camel resides inside the tent in a position of prominence. 

The real question is whether this particular piece of technology will undermine the very fabric of The Game, and take away its aesthetic charm and allure.  I do not think so.  I do not believe that the use of GLT will lead to the behemoth that is Instant Replay in American Football, where a coach throws a beanbag onto the field and a five-minute stoppage results.  The referee will still have to make the call whether the technology works or it doesn't.  This is just one more tool to assist, not to take over.  I hope.

Now where did I put my copy of '1984'?  Oh I remember now, it is on my Kindle.

Soccer is Life

Programming Note

Friends,

Over the next week or so I will be traveling on business and unable to write. That said, please enjoy the articles in the archive at your leisure.

Before I go though, I wanted to share this video with you. On my return, we will be only a few weeks away from spring, and ready to get back at it outdoors here in the NorthEast of the US.

For those who have been "hibernating" all winter ... are you ready to go? What is your training plan?

Remember, it is never too late to train and be ready for what is fast approaching. Remember, Get your a$$ out there... ?

For me, I continue to take solace in my trainers wisdom that big gains are made in the winter, when others are letting their bikes collect dust.

Words to live by.

Interesting GLT Video

So again I was pursuing the internet superhighway, and still upset about FIFA's decision to use GLT, I happen to come across this video from FIFA TV. Sorry, FIFA does not allow embedding.

A few things struck me as I took in this promotional video.

First was the fact that it takes six days(!) and as many people to deploy the Hawkeye solution. That is crazy! I know the system will likely not be moved that often if used in fixed stadia for long periods of time, but holy smokes. 

GoalRef was a bit less complicated in the number of people it takes to set up, but, it looks far more fragile. I mean, a special goal, and PCB's lining the frame. I have lived this one personally with my time at Trakus, where PCB's were put in a incredibly harsh sporting environment (NHL), and things failed. Trust me folks, it's going to break at the worst time. 

In the infamous words of Scotty "The more they overthink the plumbing, the easier it is to stop up the drain."

Between weather and abuse, I have great concerns that anything other than a nice sunny day will provide the results FIFA is after. 

So what's the backup plan in case of ... lets say fog, in the case of Hawkeye, a camera based system?

The referee.

As I seeded in a previous post too, what about the protocol for the referee in the case of failure? How about if the referee believes the system has failed, yet gives no (technological) indications of such? Open the pod bay doors indeed.

Maybe I am actually starting to see why FIFA is after other tenders. The current systems are both flawed in several ways from a high level.

Another thing that struck me was Cüneyt Çakır's comments regarding GLT. Assuming for just a second that he was not a FIFA shill (did you expect anything negative on a FIFA video?), and acknowledging he is a tremendous referee, I'm not sure his endorsement of understanding "the whole system" works for me to provide confidence as an insurance salesman from Turkey.

My point being, who really, and I mean really, understands this stuff?

I don't think anyone except the manufactures who may do what it takes to sell the system.

Finally, and this is most compelling to me, was Sepp's comments at the end regarding "the need." His argument was that a human eye can't see if the ball crosses the line in some cases. He's absolutely correct in that fact. From here my argument goes in (2) directions.

First, why are we doing something in one particular area that is "in human" to The Game? One of the particular allures for me, and I have to believe for others, is the "traditional" nature of the sport. After all, how much (technologically) has it changed since its creation? Not that much I would opine. So why the heck are we interfering with it now?

Second, how accurate and precise are these systems? There are margins of error in their operation, however small, and just how "over the line" is registered as over the line? An angstrom, millimeter, centimeter? Is it really over the line then?

This now puts The Game on the "technology curve" as good enough is never good enough. When it comes to light how precise these systems are, there will be a call for more precise systems, and so on.

It's not going to stop with GLT. 

Now a counter argument to that can be made that (insert precision) is good enough, and it was better than we had before.

Was it though? Hundreds and hundreds of years of history, and thousands and thousands of goals. We seemed to muddle through. Now in 2012 enter GLT, and you know what, we still won't know to absolute certainty, only to the margin of error.

Dosen't sound like it's worth metaling with the fabric of The Game to me.

So, what's the motivation?

Mike Montgomery, please sit down

First, for some context, take a peek here:


Yes, that was University of California's basketball coach, Mike Montgomery, pushing his own player, Allen Crabbe during a timeout.

Who the (bleep) does he think he is?

Let's reverse some roles, shall we?

How about Crabbe pushing Montgomery? You can bet that is a suspension from a few folks.
How about a referee pushing Crabbe? I'd bet a battery charge was filed, and the referee suspended.
Montgomery on a referee? Have a seat coach, see you in 5 games.

So why is this different? Shouldn't everyone get the same amount of respect from each other, or face the consequences? If anything, these kids should be protected from this nonsense, not exposed to more of it from a guy "who wants to win."

Now, Montgomery's lame statement was that he was trying to "motivate" the player.

Bull (bleep). He lost his cool.

Player on player, fine. Take a look at the #35 after the shove (Richard Solomon), or the #1 (Justin Cobb) (source). Wholly appropriate under the circumstances. Referee on referee, coach on coach, player on player, fine.

Anything else of such physicality is an issue. A big one. There are exceptions for strained situations, such as a fight, but honestly, take a lesson from NHL linesmen who are unbelievably effective in managing this scenario.

His delay in finally "apologizing" was also lame, as was the canned written apology itself.

"While my intent was to motivate our student athletes, my behavior was inappropriate and I apologize for my actions." (source)

I hope his personal offering to Crabbe was better than that.

The university or the league should set an example, and sit him for at least a match. Maybe even two, as apparently this was the 2nd time Montgomery shoved one of his players this month.

Motivate ... what a joke.

It is a sad, sad day

Fifa confirm that goal-line technology will be in place for the 2014 World Cup

Fifa announced plans on Tuesday to introduce the technology to the game’s flagship tournament and invited tenders from interested providers, and the Premier League later revealed that it was “close to entering a formal tendering process” as well.

Fifa hope to confirm which of four systems they have chosen by “early April” so the technology could be used at this summer’s Confederations Cup in Brazil. ...

See the whole story here, from The Telegraph.

Kicking Back Comments: As I have said before, I am not a fan of this at all. I think it disrupts the "free will" that is part of The Game itself. To begin to take these decisions out of the hand of referees is "the camel's nose under the tent" in my opinion.

Video review of Offside is next folks.

Yeah, yeah, yeah, I have heard many people say, "... this is it ...", only GLT during active play.

Honestly I don't believe them at all. I do believe that over time this will be the beginning of the erosion of the referees authority inside the field during active play.

Others have opined this has taken place over a long period of time with the adjustments to the LOTG that have been made. I do agree with this line of thinking as well, yet nothing has been so aggressive a step as what we are seeing with GLT. 

... and for what some may ask.

This will be for the highest level matches around the world, and that's about it. Don't expect to start seeing GLT at your local U-12 match.

Lets just hope that the technology works. FIFA request for "other tenders" was interesting to me in this regard. If it works, why change it?

Prepare for all heck to break loose when it is shown that GLT fails even once ...

After that, what happens?

Yep, it's up to the guy in the middle and his team anyway. They'll get blamed either way I'm sure.

Chuck's Done ...

FIFA Whistleblower Will Not Seek Re-Election

Chuck Blazer, the American member of FIFA’s executive committee who went public with bribery accusations against his boss two years ago, said he would not seek re-election for a fifth term and would leave his position in May after 16 years. Blazer, 67, is the most senior American official in world soccer, but his departure was expected after his role in the scandal over Mohamed bin Hammam, a candidate for FIFA president. ...

See the whole story here, courtesy of the NYT.

Kicking Back Comments: It's too bad actually. Chuck is a flamboyant face on an otherwise drab circuit. I am sure he has better things to do than get pummeled by people who are looking to turn every rock over at FIFA.

I personally, wish him well in "retirement." 

Why the heck is this taking until May?

FIFA sets May target to approve tougher sanctions for racist abuse at matches

ZURICH — FIFA aims to approve tougher sanctions for racist abuse at soccer matches when its 209 member nations meet at the FIFA Congress in May.

FIFA President Sepp Blatter led a meeting Friday of its Strategic Committee, which included UEFA President Michel Platini, and discussed combatting racism and match-fixing.

Blatter has previously said point deductions and relegation punishments are needed as disciplinary options to help deal with discrimination at matches. ...

See the whole story here, courtesy of The Washington Post.

Kicking Back Comments: Dear Sepp ... if you want to end racism and feel (rightly) that draconian measures are needed to do so (like relegation) ... THEN DO IT!

Why wait another minute to implement these changes?

Grow a spine, and by executive FIAT put everyone on notice that in (30) days bans begin to go into effect. If you commit racism ... you are banned for at least a year ... team responsible ... relegation.

Stop screwing about. If you want to end it ... and we all should ... end it!!  

Nice Kit!!

For those who have not seen it, MLS Talk has leaked the 2013 US National Team kit here .... very nice.

When 'o when will referees get such a luxury?

I know that we are supposed to be "invisible", but a nice kit I think would do wonders for the referee ranks, yes? Then again, I have always been a fan of the basic black, long sleeve kit.

I suppose it is better than referees wearing advertising on their jerseys as had been suggested in the past.

I can see it now ... "And the referee's for tonights match are sponsored by "Lens Crafters." Providing quality eye care since 1973."

Maybe basic black, long sleeve is the best way to go.

Happy Valentines Day

Credit: Tumblr

Check out, 7 Reasons Why We Love Soccer, courtesy of Bleacher Report. An appropriate read on this day honoring Saint Valentine.

I'm Pro Union!!

Three unions back MLS soccer stadium project for Flushing Meadows-Corona Park
A trio of unions is throwing their weight behind a contentious proposal to construct a soccer stadium in Flushing Meadows-Corona Park, the Daily News has learned.

The endorsement, expected to be announced Thursday, marks the first organized labor support for the plan.

See the whole story here, courtesy of the NY Daily News.

Kicking Back Comments: I am a fan of RedBull Arena honestly, but another soccer specific stadium can not hurt "the cause." There is however significant opposition to this stadium as can be seen here, and here.

Very interested to see what happens next as the deal would seem to be tied significantly to Mayor Bloomberg's remaining term.

Platini v. Blatter - Round 1 for the Presidency?

Blatter angry with UEFA over declaration on FIFA reforms

JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) - FIFA president Sepp Blatter took a swipe at European governing body UEFA on Sunday for what he said were attempts to block his reform process to make soccer's governing body more transparent and less prone to corruption.

Blatter said he was surprised that UEFA, headed by Michel Platini who is a possible rival for the FIFA presidency in two years' time, had declared itself against key proposals from FIFA's reform working party the Independent Governance Committee (IGC). ...

See the whole story here, courtesy World News Australia.

Kicking Back Comments: Sepp seems to be walking back his retirement in a couple of years. I wonder if he is really going to go through with it given what would be a clear challenge from Platini?

Opinion: It's not all about Lance Armstrong ...

Opinion: It's not all about Lance Armstrong, and here's how we can fight doping

The blame game, MPCC and just who should clean up cycling

I am wearing a garbage bag. Why, you might ask, thinking that Merino wool is more my thing. Quite simple, I know that in these days of cycling, banana peels and rotten tomatoes are thrown at anyone who dares stick their head up. Rocks also work quite well and, sadly, my garbage bag won’t do much against those. They hurt. ...

See the whole story here, courtesy of Cycling News.

Kicking Back Comments: Well it's nice to be back, such as it is. While I am living among mounds of boxes still, and mounds of snow for that matter I wanted to start here for a couple of reasons.

First, this article really struck me as I have been following the continued vilification of Lance Armstrong and have frankly been growing quite tired of it as continues to play out, he will be the only one to "pay" for his misdeeds. JV's take on the whole thing is tremendously well written. He continues to impress as "villain turned hero."

This is true also as Ray Lewis continued to fight accusations of using PEDs prior to his Superbowl matchup with the 49ers. I did like DeadSpin's counter points on this one, and think in part the PED Hysteria can be attributed to Lance.

What put me over the edge was Spain to examine soccer doping allegations, from The Age, detailing allegations by a former club president that Spanish team Real Sociedad had its players use performance enhancing substances.

Where will it end?

Now I have gone on record to say that if consenting adults are open about their use, who cares. I have a BIG problem with kids using PEDs, and also covert use when not allowed by the terms of a sport. Otherwise, why not let them?

This includes referees.

Think about this ... while leagues (like MLS) outlaw the use of PEDs for their participants, referees are not seen as "competitors" in the true sense. Further, referees are often maligned about the fitness they keep and how it is often never good enough. Why not let them use PEDs? Particularly in soccer?

FIFA went so far as to cut the age of "mandator retirement" from 50 to 45 years of age in an effort to have referees that are "more fit."

While there is significant scientific evidence that fitness does not "drop off" after ago 50, there is ample evidence that referees with more "life experience" make better managers of The Game.

Why not fuse the two? For those who want to, allow the use of PEDs for referees to allow them to maintain a level of fitness desired by FIFA, with the proviso that (a) it is allowed by FIFA and the IOC, (b) it is done with notice, and (c) administered by a physician. All (3) have to be met in my eyes.

Why not ... FIFA wants the most fit referee it can get. This would seem like a logical step.

Yes?

My Home Field

I can remember when I was very young and growing up in Eastern Massachusetts. It was a great time in my life because I had the ability to eat, breathe, sleep, and do all things soccer. I lived in a soccer family where each and every one of us were involved in The Game in some way.

At that time I was both a player and referee, and spent nearly every daylight hour on or near a soccer field. I can remember getting up Saturday mornings in the spring and going with my dad to line fields for the day's matches.

I knew every blade of grass, every mark, every anthill on those fields. I knew when the grass was going to be cut, and who was cutting it. I even cut it a few times myself when the grounds keeper could not get out in time during the week. I made patterns in the penalty area and center circle just like I had seen on TV. "THIS is how they do it ..." I would yell to my dad over the mower as he held is hands high in a gesture as to say "What are you doing?"

On Sunday I would play a match, then generally change in the car and run lines for the rest of the day, finishing off with the toughest matches of the weekend. The dreaded Boys U-19. I learned so much.

I did this for weeks in a row, and year after year. Those fields I came to think of as "my home field." It was where I refereed my first match, played my first game, and learned how to put the perfect markings down. It was glorious.

Same is true today with the roads around my town. I have ridden 1000's of miles over them and know the flats, rises, bumps, pot holes and what power I can pull in what stretch. I have ridden them almost every day for a few years now, and know them well.

We don't always get to stay at our home field, and have to move on to other things in life. While sad in a way, it is also necessary to grow.

I remember by first time refereeing an "away game" almost 20 minutes away, or my first night match at the State Championships ... and how things seems to be more exciting "under the lights."

I remember too my first bike races away from my home roads, or training far, far away.

That time has come for Kicking Back too.

For the next few weeks, I will be away moving and setting up shop in a new location.

It has been a very busy time ... and promises to be exciting, and a little scary as where I am going is totally unfamiliar to me.

Have no fear, we will be back with a vengeance after a short break tackling the fun, silly, and surreal.

During my break, please take some time and peruse the archives as right ... in looking at the work we have done over the last few years, there are some real gems in there.

Enjoy!

... and thanks for reading!

Five Match Ban ... Due to (Ball) Tosser

My intentionally placed double entendre should illustrate my opinion regarding the incident with Swansea City ballboy Charlie Morgan, who refused to return a ball back into play by falling on it.

So he slipped right?

Just an accident?

Uh, nope ... as he tweeted about it before the match that evening.

The whole story, the time wasting by the ballboy, the extraction by Chelsea's Eden Hazard, subsequent send off and suspension, and reaction from Chelsea and others can be found at Swansea City ballboy Charlie Morgan boasted about time wasting before Capital One semi-final with Chelsea, from The Telegraph.

It is a surreal read.

So ... was Chris Foy right to promptly send Hazard off?

Based on the video alone (in the article), you bet!

The reason ... say it with me ... violent conduct. Keep in mind that SFP is reserved against an opponent, AND when the ball is in play.

Now, let's change the scenario a bit. Say that our ballboy, Brady, was still man handled by a player, lets call him Raven, but did not feign injuries, nor roll around like a lame cow until he was carted off by the attending staff, just held the ball and did not return it into play. Should that hypothetical ball boy, Brady, be dismissed (not sent off), and the involved player, Raven, be sent off?

Again my opinions are yes, and yes. Where is the authority however?

For the player the answer is clear as the referee has the authority to do so, and should. Poking the ball out from underneath a ballboy, however harmless, should not happen anywhere around the pitch. Granted this was a true test of patience, but the player needs to hold his water and wait for the ballboy to get up and take it from him as necessary.

Regarding Brady, our ballboy, let's start with Law 5 where the referee is empowered to, "stop(s), suspends or abandons the match because of outside interference of any kind;"

Okay, so far so good. What about a ballboy? Is he an actor we can take action on? After all, Law 5 states that we may, "take(s) action against team officials who fail to conduct themselves in a responsible manner and may, at his discretion, expel them from the field of play and its immediate surrounds;"

Is a ballboy a team official and thus putting him in our purview for action?

I don't think so, so we can't directly dismiss a ballboy ... BUT ... they are under the control of team official, and as such we should make a request through that official to dismiss the ballboy.

It may seem a little convoluted, but it is your best bet. Also, and think about this from the outside for a second ... a referee dismissing a kid from a professional match without any other intervention.

That may not look so good for the cameras.

Get the person responsible for the ballkids and work through them ... it is your best bet.

Even better, is to have a chat before the match. During my time in MLS, I loved to do this. It was good fun and I got to meet some great kids that were even more excited than I was to be involved in The Game. A quick chat about expectations, and to do their best. 2 Minutes tops.

Touch wood, I never had an issue with a ballkid yet.

Prevent, prevent, prevent ... even with the things you think that can never go wrong.

Then again, I never met the (ball) tosser Charlie Morgan.

Good News for All

MLS, USL Pro reach deal on restructured Reserve League

It's been rumored for months, and on Wednesday afternoon MLS and USL Pro made it official: The two leagues have reached an agreement to integrate MLS Reserve League teams into the USL Pro schedule, a multi-year deal that will feature "interleague" play between MLSRL teams and the 13 USL Pro sides.

In the year ahead, that deal also includes affiliations for select teams, facilitating loans from MLS to USL Pro clubs (the third tier of the US soccer pyramid) for players who otherwise wouldn't get much playing time in the top flight. The goal is to immediately improve professional player development in the United States and Canada, providing more and better competition for young pros with big-league dreams. ...

See the whole story here, from MLS.

Kicking Back Comments: This is great news for players and referees alike. For players it is a chance to shine before getting into the big time. For referees it is a chance to see if they "have the stuff", or for that matter, even want to go on to the bigs if they get a chance.

Lower division play is not all that glamorous. In fact, it is bitter work for all involved.

It is also bitter work I would never trade away my whole life. One of these days I am going to write a book about all the crazy stuff that goes on in "the minors."

For some perspective, watch Bull Durham. It was a standard "warm up" for me before I did a D3 or A-League match somewhere.

Here is a classic clip (viewer warning on adult language):

Super Draft!!

Monday MLS Breakdown: News and notes from the SuperDraft floor in Indianapolis

INDIANAPOLIS – New England's decision to make a play for Louisville defender Andrew Farrell occurred a few days before the SuperDraft.

It may have looked like a complex choice from the outside, but it carried fewer complications than one might expect. The technical staffers in New England felt this particular crop of players presented them with two stark choices. Neither of them involved entering draft day with the number four pick. ...

See the whole article here, courtesy of Yahoo News.

Kicking Back Comments: Welcome aboard Mr. Farrell. I hope it works out for Mr. Heaps. I have to believe after last year, this is his last shot.

If he was a referee, he would be banished from MLS based on performance alone.

Sporting KC, Please Take Note

So the other day I wrote about how Sporting KC lost its nerve and pulled the plug on funding cancer charity LIVESTRONG.

While I believe there was leeway to do so based on Lance Armstrong's speculated doping and stripping of his 7 TdF titles some time ago, Sporting KC waited until the eve of the Oprah interview and gave some pathetic excuse, essentially blaming the charity itself, while saying it, " ... defend(ed) the mission of the foundation."

Baloney.

I offered SKC a thought on what I thought the right note to strike was. Distance itself from the disgraced cyclist, while actually maintain support for the foundation. Not surprisingly LAF has done exactly that on their site.

Sporting KC should take note as it displays the leadership so desperately needed with such a situation. If the club truly believed in the mission of LAF, and not the man, below is a fine example of how to accomplish both.

I hope Mr. Heineman gains the courage to do so.

Screen capture courtesy of LAF

A Touch of Class

Report: Lampard set to join LA Galaxy

Chelsea ace Frank Lampard has reportedly reached a deal with the Los Angeles Galaxy and will join the Major League Soccer champions next season according to Goal.com.

LA Galaxy coach Bruce Arena has refused to rule out the possibility of a deal being done for Chelsea veteran Lampard. The MLS outfit have been strongly linked with the England international ever since it became apparent that Lampard would not be offered a contract extension at Stamford Bridge. ...

See the whole story here, courtesy of Fox Soccer.

Kicking Back Comments: I think this is a great move my MLS personally. Sadly, one of the few ways to keep the attention of the American public is to keep having international starts like Lampard on our pitches.

Of course MLS should be able to stand up alone ... and I honestly think it can ... but this does not hurt in the least.

They Are Legend

Seven legends at their FIFA World Cup finest!

Pele, Franz Beckenbauer, Iker Casillas, Alessandro Del Piero, Luis Figo, Homare Sawa and Lucas Radebe. Seven footballing legends who wrote their own chapters in the FIFA history books at various tournaments and whose exploits will live long in the memories of their fans.

See the complete article and video here, courtesy of FIFA.

Kicking Back Comments: Very, very cool stuff!