Referee Credibility Crisis!!!
The issue of referees in Thai League football has now escalated into what can be called a "crisis"!!!
I always emphasize that referees are "human," so mistakes are inevitable.
However, the term "Human Error" cannot be used as a frequent excuse if the same mistakes keep recurring.
In fact, the problem with Thai League referees has persisted for many years, even before football's popularity soared in Thailand.
Back when disciplinary rules in the Thai League were less strict, referees risked their safety every time they officiated.
There were frequent instances of "mob justice" meted out to referees on the sidelines.
Referees being physically attacked, bleeding on the field, or fleeing through glass doors became tarnishing images for Thai football.
The Football Association of Thailand has consistently tried to solve referee issues across all eras using various methods, from scientific approaches to superstitions.
Fans might recall that at one point, Thai League referees were made to swear oaths at the Temple of the Emerald Buddha!!!
The "random draw" method for assigning referees was also used several times to demonstrate transparency in match officiating.
Increasing referee salaries has long been seriously discussed, aiming for refereeing to become a sustainable profession.
In the past, referees received a flat fee of 1,800 baht per match; currently, they get a flat accommodation allowance of 10,600 baht.
This is not a small amount; officiating four matches over four weeks in a month can earn nearly fifty thousand baht.
Referees who reach the international level as "FIFA Elite" and officiate abroad receive substantially higher pay.
Thus, refereeing can be a well-paid profession but requires overcoming many hurdles to advance through each level.
This includes passing rules exams, physical fitness tests, and gaining experience by officiating matches to level up.
Most importantly now, referees must withstand the intense criticism they face in the social media era.
Nowadays, no one engages in mob justice or physical attacks at the stadium, but referees are heavily bombarded online, which can be overwhelming if they are not mentally strong.
On the other hand, referee decisions significantly affect team officials and fans, sometimes causing discouragement.
Otherwise, the term "crisis of trust" would not have arisen, which could lead to a decline in Thai football and deter involvement.
Team officials might lose millions and become disheartened due to repeated refereeing errors.
The referee issue must become a "national agenda" for the Football Association and the Referees Committee.
Even "FIFA Elite" referees are heavily criticized nowadays, so what can be realistically expected from local referees?
I reiterate that the Football Association and Referees Committee must be more proactive instead of merely enduring criticism.
They should clearly explain and clarify issues to ensure all parties understand the facts correctly.
Evidence or footage used by the Disciplinary Committee to review cases should be publicly shown.
In some cases, the VAR footage was seen by the committee but not by the complainants, naturally leaving doubts.
Sanctions against referees should be reasonable, not illogical or inflammatory, which only fuels the problem.
Most importantly, all penalties and judgments must follow the same standards, not be inconsistent or contradictory.
Currently, the problem stems largely from the lack of consistent standards!
The "crisis of trust" can be resolved by first ensuring all referees officiate under a unified standard.
Refereeing is a respectable profession. The refereeing community must work together to improve and prevent further devaluation. This is already a crisis!
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