SAAFL Umpires - Are They Just A Bit Too Precious

[Wazz]

I have read with interest this season many posts from almost all of the divisions about SAAFL umpires, whether they are doing a better job or not etc than past years.
One issue that I cannot understand is why the SAAFL umpires panel have directed their guys to pay 25 metres just for supporters letting them know how well they are doing. Yes I know sometimes the advice from the boundary may be a little over the top but surely we are becoming far too precious and over sensitive in regard to this. Having played in several different comps over the years and now umpiring for the first time this year the advice that comes from one eyed parochial & passionate supporters IMO shouldnt be the cause of a major disadvantage against their side. Paying 25 metre penalties for every comment you here from the sidelines will only cause further angst from players, coaches & supporters. I have heard every detrimental comment made to players & umpires you could think of yet during my playing days yet I still chose to have a go at umpiring.
Toughen up umpy's, do the job you are paid to do on the field and leave any sideline nonsense to the clubs and their officials.

[zedman]

[Lightning McQueen]

I love hearing some of the comments while I'm umpiring. It's usually overweight women with a screeching voice chucking out the periodic "come on umpire, there's two teams out there"
It's quite amusing to look over and see who it is considering I don't even look at the scoreboard when I'm umpiring and couldn't care less who won or lost no matter what game it is, I usually look at the teams as colours instead of geographic locations.

[Footy Smart]

I think the standard has been ok this year in Div 2, some bad/soft decisions but in general not that bad over the whole match. On the weekend against Uni we had Div 1 umpires and they were barely noticible which is the way it should be.

Umpires should not be subject to personal abuse. Just because they are umpiring doesnt give you the right to tee off on them bauce they may be carrying a spare tyre round the midrift or question their mothers morals late on a saturday night .

[Jabber]

I love hearing some of the comments while I'm umpiring. It's usually overweight women with a screeching voice chucking out the periodic "come on umpire, there's two teams out there"
It's quite amusing to look over and see who it is considering I don't even look at the scoreboard when I'm umpiring and couldn't care less who won or lost no matter what game it is, I usually look at the teams as colours instead of geographic locations.

A rather 'rotund' older woman from Salisbury West once screamed at the top of her lungs at me "you've got no f**** idea you big fat f****ing jaffa"!

I almost wet myself! Credit where credit is due for a piss funny sledge, but I know some other umps that would get all prescious(sic) and pay something against that!

Back in our SAFA days there was an umpire going around that was well known he had a glass eye. Anyways he paid a free kick in front of the plympton crowd and someone said "why don't u use ur open eye?" and he turned around and sent off our captain!

[Dogwatcher]

I usually look at the teams as colours instead of geographic locations.

Oh...now you're bringing race into this!

[Jimmy_041]

I haven't seen umpires give 25m for spectator abuse but I have seen umpires give a dubious free kick right in front of a crowd who do abuse them.
The smart spectators STFU
The dumb spectators up the ante and give away more free kicks

[Wazz]

I haven't seen umpires give 25m for spectator abuse but I have seen umpires give a dubious free kick right in front of a crowd who do abuse them.
The smart spectators STFU
The dumb spectators up the ante and give away more free kicks

Bit harsh Jimmy_041, surely being a passionate supporter doesn't make you a dumb spectator. Are we meant to articulate our views or question their interpretations in such a way umpires wont get offended, I think not. This is exactly what this post is about, umpires being too precious. If they are truly such sensitive creatures where they are unable to tune out from any vitriolic comments from supporters perhaps umpiring football is not their forte.

[Footy Smart]

I haven't seen umpires give 25m for spectator abuse but I have seen umpires give a dubious free kick right in front of a crowd who do abuse them.
The smart spectators STFU
The dumb spectators up the ante and give away more free kicks

Bit harsh Jimmy_041, surely being a passionate supporter doesn't make you a dumb spectator. Are we meant to articulate our views or question their interpretations in such a way umpires wont get offended, I think not. This is exactly what this post is about, umpires being too precious. If they are truly such sensitive creatures where they are unable to tune out from any vitriolic comments from supporters perhaps umpiring football is not their forte.

Wazz whatever way you want to say it, 'personal abuse' towards umpires isnt acceptable. General dissatisfaction with decions is fine and they shouldnt be 'precious' as you put it, in that sense. But sometimes (our crowd included) people over step the mark in the heat of the moment and get personal. And have no problem with and umpire taking offense to it. Its a clubs responsability to ensure the crowd is kept in check as best as possible.

[Caramels]

I love hearing some of the comments while I'm umpiring. It's usually overweight women with a screeching voice chucking out the periodic "come on umpire, there's two teams out there"
It's quite amusing to look over and see who it is considering I don't even look at the scoreboard when I'm umpiring and couldn't care less who won or lost no matter what game it is, I usually look at the teams as colours instead of geographic locations.

Sometimes this can cause drastic issues with women. I know, I'm married to one.

[Jimmy_041]

I haven't seen umpires give 25m for spectator abuse but I have seen umpires give a dubious free kick right in front of a crowd who do abuse them.
The smart spectators STFU
The dumb spectators up the ante and give away more free kicks

Bit harsh Jimmy_041, surely being a passionate supporter doesn't make you a dumb spectator. Are we meant to articulate our views or question their interpretations in such a way umpires wont get offended, I think not. This is exactly what this post is about, umpires being too precious. If they are truly such sensitive creatures where they are unable to tune out from any vitriolic comments from supporters perhaps umpiring football is not their forte.

Calling him/her a f****** c***** *^&$*$#)(P(*&&*()$#%*T#@$&#(*+)&PO*^*&%^ maggot from 10m away when you are wearing an EP top is not being passionate.
Doing again after he's stuck one up you is being dumb.

But, this advice isn't aimed at you anyway.
Being an EP person, you are religiously sticking to the League's Code of Behaviour which includes:

Spectators
 Applaud good performance on both sides.
 Do not ridicule umpires, players or spectators.
 Respect and abide by decisions of umpires and officials.
 Respect rights and dignity of others.
 Do not use foul language.
 Do not take any alcohol, bottles or glass onto the oval.

[Executive Member]

I haven't seen umpires give 25m for spectator abuse but I have seen umpires give a dubious free kick right in front of a crowd who do abuse them.
The smart spectators STFU
The dumb spectators up the ante and give away more free kicks

Bit harsh Jimmy_041, surely being a passionate supporter doesn't make you a dumb spectator. Are we meant to articulate our views or question their interpretations in such a way umpires wont get offended, I think not. This is exactly what this post is about, umpires being too precious. If they are truly such sensitive creatures where they are unable to tune out from any vitriolic comments from supporters perhaps umpiring football is not their forte.

Calling him/her a f****** c***** *^&$*$#)(P(*&&*()$#%*T#@$&#(*+)&PO*^*&%^ maggot from 10m away when you are wearing an EP top is not being passionate.
Doing again after he's stuck one up you is being dumb.

But, this advice isn't aimed at you anyway.
Being an EP person, you are religiously sticking to the League's Code of Behaviour which includes:

Spectators
 Applaud good performance on both sides.
 Do not ridicule umpires, players or spectators.
 Respect and abide by decisions of umpires and officials.
 Respect rights and dignity of others.
 Do not use foul language.
 Do not take any alcohol, bottles or glass onto the oval.

Bit rich Jummy - at least the players at EP dont urinate in front of people - very poor

[Jimmy_041]

It would be water off a ducks back for you to hear "f****** c***** *^&$*$#)(P(*&&*()$#%*T#@$&#(*+)&PO*^*&%^ maggot"
No doubt you hear it every Saturday

[Wazz]

I haven't seen umpires give 25m for spectator abuse but I have seen umpires give a dubious free kick right in front of a crowd who do abuse them.
The smart spectators STFU
The dumb spectators up the ante and give away more free kicks

Bit harsh Jimmy_041, surely being a passionate supporter doesn't make you a dumb spectator. Are we meant to articulate our views or question their interpretations in such a way umpires wont get offended, I think not. This is exactly what this post is about, umpires being too precious. If they are truly such sensitive creatures where they are unable to tune out from any vitriolic comments from supporters perhaps umpiring football is not their forte.

Calling him/her a f****** c***** *^&$*$#)(P(*&&*()$#%*T#@$&#(*+)&PO*^*&%^ maggot from 10m away when you are wearing an EP top is not being passionate.
Doing again after he's stuck one up you is being dumb.

But, this advice isn't aimed at you anyway.
Being an EP person, you are religiously sticking to the League's Code of Behaviour which includes:

Spectators
 Applaud good performance on both sides.
 Do not ridicule umpires, players or spectators.
 Respect and abide by decisions of umpires and officials.
 Respect rights and dignity of others.
 Do not use foul language.
 Do not take any alcohol, bottles or glass onto the oval.

Point taken and yes it is unacceptable but seriously when have you ever been to a senior game of football when all of the spectators from both sides adhere to the above (excluding maybe bottles etc on the oval) including Crows & Power AFL games both here in Adelaide & Melbourne etc. I have umpired (well at least tried to LOL) for the first time this season and although I have received some not so friendly advice and some have questioned my upbringing from those on the sidelines I haven't felt the need to pay a free because of it.

[HH3]

Usually the umpire will give the crowd a warning, then if they do it again, free kick.

Having said that, there are some umpires that use it as an excuse to favour one side. E.g. B grade umpire for Woody South gave them a free in front of goal when they were 2 points down with a minute to go. His reason was someone in the crowd abused him.

Thankfully we kicked a goal after the siren to win the game.

I told him what I thought of him as I ran past, earning me a week on the sidelines.

The only time I think its warranted is if its constant, vicious abuse. The odd one liner is ok, and most umps either accept it or even have a giggle themselves.

[Jimmy_041]

Usually the umpire will give the crowd a warning, then if they do it again, free kick.

Having said that, there are some umpires that use it as an excuse to favour one side. E.g. B grade umpire for Woody South gave them a free in front of goal when they were 2 points down with a minute to go. His reason was someone in the crowd abused him.

Thankfully we kicked a goal after the siren to win the game.

I told him what I thought of him as I ran past, earning me a week on the sidelines.

The only time I think its warranted is if its constant, vicious abuse. The odd one liner is ok, and most umps either accept it or even have a giggle themselves.

Seriously, I dont think a free kick is the way to go unless it comes from a player
If it was me, and it was really bad, I would speak to the Match Day official.
If it continued, easy enough to report the club
A hefty fine for the club makes it their problem and seems to change people's behaviour

[Executive Member]

It would be water off a ducks back for you to hear "f****** c***** *^&$*$#)(P(*&&*()$#%*T#@$&#(*+)&PO*^*&%^ maggot"
No doubt you hear it every Saturday

no crowd in C4 footy to pass it on

[locky801]

Been plenty of 25m penalties and even turning over of the ball for spectators having a say at the umpires in the NEMJFA this season.

[Wazz]

Been plenty of 25m penalties and even turning over of the ball for spectators having a say at the umpires in the NEMJFA this season.

Quite right Locky. Clubs are scrutinised very closely nowadays. Our club has suspended a junior coach on match day for giving away a 25. To his defence he only said (albeit very loudly) "you have to be joking" when a free was paid against the side but this is what clubs are now expected to do.

[Cash 123]

Can umpires actually give free kicks against for crowd abuse in the saafl? is it actually a rule or just dreamt up by umpires who have had enough?