The soccer referee – a critical historic approach

Abstract

The aim of this study was to search in literature for the origin of the soccer referee, as an attempt to clear the function of this important soccer figure. Through bibliographic revision we concluded that the soccer referee emerged in the 19th century, more precisely in 1868 (CBD, 1978). The first soccer referees intervened in the game only with the complaint of one member of the team. Since the use of the whistle began only later, in 1878 (DUARTE, 1997), the referee had to shout in order to stop a game. In 1896 the rules gave referees the right to punish on their own judgment, making their own decisions (Antunes, sd). The referee assistants were established in 1891 (ANTUNES, [199?]). Books of soccer history, rule books, journals, scientific magazines and annals were used as theoretical references. The analysis of the texts lead us to conclude that the referee is the person who has special knowledge of the rules, his duty is to accomplish them and make them accomplished. As time goes by, it seems that some individuals believe that there are more important goals in a soccer game than the accomplishment of its rules. They are only a detail which could be ignored, if necessary, for the achievement of a victory. This seems to be an average attitude in socer world.