Sir, – People say that respect for referees in the GAA needs to come from the top down. Until then, there is something referees can do to gain respect.
If, before the start of a game, the referee calls the teams along with both managers, into the middle of the pitch. The referee then blows the whistle and says something like, “This is the whistle, when you hear it I will indicate a stoppage of play. You will respect the whistle, and if you don’t I will show you a card. There will be no pushing and shoving when the ball is thrown up, players will immediately retreat the required distance when a free is awarded against their team or I will move the ball up and if anyone objects, I will issue a card. If players and managers cannot behave themselves, they will be issued cards. Now go to your places, respect the whistle, and have a good game.”
As far as I know, there is nothing in the rules that would prevent referees from adopting the above approach, implementing it and seeing if it works. – Yours, etc,
BOBBY CARTY,
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