A better mix in football?

[anotheoldgit]

In the wake of another Sky sports reporter also being hauled off air for making the comment "apparently, a female lino today, bit of a looker".

The question must be asked, 'should female officials take part in what after all is a male dominated game'?

Or are we to spoil the game of football by demanding first gender equality? although I do believe there is not one gay player who has 'come out' in all the leagues.

Then a more racial mix, but no problem there we already have a good mix, except there seems a shortage of Asian players, so how do they fix that problem?

[WELSHYORKIE]

I think the FA is right to allow female officials - if they are qualified to do the job then let them get on with it. There have been footballers who have 'come out' in the past - the late Justin Fashanu comes to mind - but who cares what their orientation is - I for one don't.

[joggerjayne]

Crikey ... it's going to get really dull if no one can make admiring comments about the officials.

There was (maybe still is?) a rugby referee who we all thought was "Triple T" (Totally Top Totty). Not sure what his name was, but he did internationals. I think he was from New Zealand. Maybe Steve something?

I'm glad we never got thrown out of the bar for saying the referee was a bit of a looker!

[jackthehat]

1. Yes.
2. No.
3. By encouraging players from Asian backgrounds.

[Gromit]

Why should it spoil a match if an official is female. It might even make the players a little less aggressive to the officials.

There is absolutely no reason on ability why a woman cannot be a referee or linesman. As ling as they have the qualification and have the required fitness then why not.

Some old men ate frightened of women, but that is their problem.

[pa___ul3]

Justin Fashnu 'came out' a few years back and there's hope that Gareth Thomas' precedent in top level rugby will encourage other 'in the closet' sport stars to 'come out'. I personally feel it shoud be best person for the job regardless.
Regarding the race issue, there's never been any kind of drive to have any kind of racial balance in football, that's just how it's worked out although I did see on a programme Zesh Rehman, who plays for Bradford City, was doing a lot of work with the local asian community including football schools. I think the asian community is largely cricket orientated.

[Ankou]

players are discouraged from 'coming out' by their management team, because apparently it could affect their transfer price/commerciality.

'should female officials take part in what after all is a male dominated game'? doesn't stop michaela tabb. and atthe risk of sounding likea sky presenter, she knows how to handle different coloured balls, and is a bit of a looker too.

[joggerjayne]

Found him ... Steve Walsh ...

http://www.google.co....17&ved=1t:429,r:2,s:0

He is SO hot ... !

Maybe we need more good looking sports officials.

As to AOG's questions ...

1. Female officials ... yes, of course.

2. Gender equality ... why would it spoil the game? We don't want to play your stupid game, just to officiate at games.

3. Is there a shortage of Asian players? Not in Asia! Maybe they don't want to play football.

[pa___ul3]

read an interesting idea that if the referee were a woman, it could potentially discourage the players from the foul mouthed tirades they throw at the male refs week-in week-out. I'm not convinced but it's an interesting thought.

[joggerjayne]

Pa_ul ...

Whoever wrote that idea is labouring under the misapprehension that professional footballers have a chivalrous and courteous attitude towards women ...

... which suggests that they have never opened a newspaper in their life !

[pa___ul3]

I won't disagree JJ! And it could potentially have the adverse effect whereby kids could see players being aggressive towards female referees and think this was an ok way to speak to women. But that's for a whole other debate!

[sir.prize]

The shortage of Asian footballers may well be because when they get a corner they dash off and open a shop on it.

[joggerjayne]

Aaah ... there's life in that old joke yet.

[sir.prize]

JJ, as is oft said, the old 'uns are always the best.

[anotheoldgit]

Gromit

/// Some old men ate frightened of women, but that is their problem.///

I presume you were referring to me, so I will answer this typical stupid infantile statement of yours, in a manner befitting.

"Old men frightened of women"????? You obviously know nothing of life whatsoever Isn't it the "Young man" who blushers everytime he speaks to a female?

Get a little more experience under your belt Gromit, then perhaps you will be a little less embarrassed with the opposite sex, and maybe grow up a little.

[anotheoldgit]

pa___ul3

/// read an interesting idea that if the referee were a woman, it could potentially discourage the players from the foul mouthed tirades they throw at the male refs week-in week-out. ///

I don't think the players would be the problem.

Can you imagine the crowd, they would slaughter her, if she dared to make a wrong decision in their eyes?

[anotheoldgit]

joggerjayne

/// don't want to play your stupid game, just to officiate at games.///

Typical female always wanting to take charge, and have the last word. :0)

[pa___ul3]

this was more in response to the recent issues raised about players confrontic refs and blatantly swearing to them in full view of tv cameras. The crowd would of course go mad and, initially at least, many would put it down to her gender but I'm sure the female refs and assistants throughout the game fully expect that. It would take a tough lady to have the courage to face that every week so she gets a lot of respect from me.

[Ankou]

i look forward to the revised chants.

the referee's a w....... oman.