4. Miked up Referees
Another NFL stolen rule that again is well used in rugby and its pretty simple really is that the referees wear microphones that act with the PA system explaining their call to the crowd and viewers at home. Now rugby referees are miked up for the entire game but with the amount of yelling and swearing on the pitch that doesnt really work unless you were filming a late night comedy show which brings us to the NFL system where the officials only turn their microphones on when announcing a decision. Explaining why you gave a foul or sent someone off wont stop booing and hatred for referees but it would be better if the fans and the managers understood why a referee made a controversial looking call. Premier League referees admittedly have a tough job as it is so having them out in public talking to a whole angry stadium trying to explain themselves could do more harm than good. I think though its so harsh and silly that referees arent allowed to talk to the press to explain a certain call sometimes understanding why would help defuse the anger. If they made a mistake why would admitting it be so bad? Why stay quiet and have everyone think youre a bad referee? One quick explanation either on the pitch or later on would probably do more to slow down any media circus about an incident reducing the pressure on the mistake. We all know that referees already use their headsets to trade info with each other and help make the correct call why not share those chats with us so we know why a big match changing decision has been made. It would stop the guess work of trying to understand why a referee gave a penalty or sent a player off even if they have to give it as a written statement it still would help the game more than the code of silence the FA enforces.