The referee who wanted to commit suicide has spoken!
By rappeter13
@rappeter13 (8608)
Romania
November 25, 2011 11:08am CST
The referee from the Bundesliga, who tried to end his life last weekend, Babak Rafati, has given an explanation for his gesture, through his lawyer.
He wanted to clear that he hasn't had any personal life issues, so that was not the reason for doing his gesture.
He claims that he is suffering from a depression for more than a year now, which he has gotten from the pressure which is involved in the football, through the fans, media, players and officials. Lately he has gotten so insecure and he was afraid to get out on the field, because he didn't want to make any mistakes during the game.
He said that he wants to cure his depression out and after that he wants to return to his normal life, including refereeing.
What is your opinion about this statement? Do you think that Babak Rafati will be able to have the authority to blow the whistle at an important game, where the pressure is huge?
2 people like this
3 responses
@ram_cv (16513)
• India
25 Nov 11
I think there is definitely a huge pressure on the referees these days. With increased media coverage every mistake is easily visible and then there is lot of ridicule in the news and from the fans. So on that front, I do sympathize with him. Having said that I think when they sign up for this job, they know these requirements of the job. So I guess that this was not something that should have been unknown to Rafati!!
Cheers!
Ram
@rappeter13 (8608)
• Romania
25 Nov 11
I agree with you. Of course there is a lot of pressure on the referees, but they need to cope with it. They are paid very well, so accordingly, they need to concentrate only on their performance on the field and let the people talk whatever they want.
I wonder how a person who is suffering from depression for more than a year has passed the psychological exam which I guess is taken at every start of the season, together with the fitness and eye exam.
Nobody said that being a referees is an easy job, but they get a lot of money doing that.
As for a solution, I guess that making the refereeing a profession would make them be at a higher level, because I don't think it is normal to have professional players and semi amateur or amateur referees.
1 person likes this
@jkct02 (2874)
• Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia
26 Nov 11
Yes, I agree that professional referees are needed for professional football leagues. The demand in professional football is higher than amateur games. The game moves faster and the players' faults and tricks are, well, professional, and imaginative. To keep up with the game the referee has to be constantly trained and taught. Again, the blame is on FIFA for not fulfilling the needs of the modern game.
1 person likes this
@ram_cv (16513)
• India
26 Nov 11
But I think as fans we can also sometimes tone down the attack on the referees. After all it is a game and nothing more. We all make mistakes and when things happen so fast, someone is bound to make mistakes. This is all the more reason to introduce video technology into the game and help the referees and give them more confidence as they make their decisions.
Cheers!
Ram
@jasmeena (846)
• Indonesia
27 Nov 11
He needs to stay away from football pitch until his emotional condition is stable..Well, being a referee is so hard,it seems he can`t make any single mistakes while he is also human being..One team may disagree with referee`s decision however once the decision is made,it is final. Let him calm himself down,he needs a psychiatrist, I think
@rappeter13 (8608)
• Romania
27 Nov 11
Yes, in the condition he is now a football pitch is the last thing which he needs. But I don't know how he will react after being considered cured by the psychologist.
@Sanitary (3968)
• Singapore
26 Nov 11
IN your previous post, u mentioned he's being voted the top 4 worst referee in Germany. I'm sure that must have gotten to him because nobody likes to be labelled that way and also being among the worst referees. He has to recover from it soon, pull him together, officiate a good match, change people's opinions of him. He's a referee, someone who gone through lessons and have the right qualifications to be one. Off the field, it's easy to see and spot from bird's eye view. But from the view of the person on the pitch, obstacles and distractions are everywhere. It's really not easy to be a good referee.
@rappeter13 (8608)
• Romania
26 Nov 11
First of all, I want to correct you: he was voted the worst referee in the Bundesliga 4 times so far, so this means he was the worst in 4 seasons.
From his statement, this is the main reasons which made him depressive. Football is a tough sport, where if you are bad, you are relegated. If you are good, you are promoted or in the highest division you are rewarded with a trophy. I think that this should be the case for referees also. Because a referee that is constantly weak has no place on the field when the best players of the league meet each other. Maybe he should be sent in lower divisions, and if he is showing signs that he is getting better, than maybe he can be accepted back in the 1.Bundesliga.
1 person likes this
