After reading this article (YOUTH REFEREES ARE QUITTING IN DROVES…), I agree with the same issues.
However, I have some issues with the soccer referees I deal with, and part of the blame falls on US SOCCER, CNRA, every league, and club down the line. That also applies to the high school and college levels.
1. Referees are no longer accountable for keeping up with the Laws and changes. All they have to do yearly is pay their registration fee and are licensed (or not). They need to be accountable for staying up-to-date with what is going on in the world of soccer. Many know they will be called for games regardless of their status or qualifications. They make a mistake that changes the result of a game. Who cares?
2. Assignors and, in some cases, leagues are NOT concerned about having licensed and qualified officials who can do their best job for their games. All they care about is about filling game time slots. Whether licensed or not, friends or relatives will put anybody on a game to get it covered; some make money by just doing that.
3. All referees are independent contractors, so imposing requirements and holding them accountable for substandard work without breaking some Laws is difficult.
In the meantime, I do not feel that money has or should have anything to do with all this. Most clubs, leagues, etc., usually have a fair payment schedule, but the draw is for officials (good or bad). Hence, they go where the draw is, which affects groups that cannot compete financially.
Introducing a pay differential for experienced versus inexperienced officials could be a viable solution. This incentivizes continued education and motivates officials to strive for better pay and assignments. However, implementing this would require dedicated individuals to take the lead, plan training sessions, enhance education, conduct assessments, and make tough decisions.
Like businesses, professional teams, and some television shows seem to do on TV weekly and elsewhere worldwide, there are always winners and losers, no matter how sugarcoated.
Individuals should decide their goals and how hard they will work to earn the carrot!
