‘Surrounding criticisms create pressure’

 

                                              Abdus Salam Murshedy

Apart from being the Bangladesh Football Federation's (BFF) senior vice-president, chairman of the professional league management committee and the finance committee, Abdu’s Salam Murshedy is also playing a pivotal role in the country's football as the chairman of the BFF referees committee. The  National News Anisur Rahman interviewed him to shed light on the recent disputes over the refereeing decisions in the domestic circuit. The excerpts are as follows:

The National News (QS): How do you view the ongoing debate over the refereeing decisions in top-flight football?

Abdus Salam Murshedy (ASM): I'm happy to keep all tournaments rolling amidst severe limitations. We have successfully completed two very competitive tournaments while the Bangladesh Premier League is still ongoing. Although there was no dispute over the referees in the Independent Cup, it all began from the Federation Cup.

However, we have been assigning the referees from our BPL pool while the experienced referees were appointed to conduct big matches. Besides, the performances of referees have been evaluated every day and the rectification process is facilitated by analysing the video footage. But since all of these have been happening behind the scenes, you don't know it.

QS: Why are the disputes over the refereeing decisions being discussed more than any other seasons?

ASM: Referees are also making mistakes in different leagues in Europe. This time around, there are a lot of title aspirant teams who are not getting their desired results and raising questions about the standard of the referees. But I must admit, the referees have committed some errors but they are also rectifying themselves.

QS: What is the way to come out of this dispute?

ASM: We have limitations. If we can improve our current materials and create confidence among all, then it's possible to get out of such disputes. I think they aren't blowing the whistle badly but the surrounding criticisms create pressure for them.

QS: Is there any impact on the referees' job when the higher-ups of Bangladesh Football Federation criticise them?

ASM: If the responsible persons or the higher-ups of the federation talk about the referees' decisions, then the referees find themselves under a more nerve-racking situation.

QS: Do you think the standard of current referees has degraded compared to past?

ASM: I don't agree. Before there were very few referees and everyone knew who was blowing the whistle but now, a lot of referees are conducting a lot of the matches and many don't know them. I'll rather say the current batch of referees are fitter than their former selves.

QS: What do you do in developing the referees?

ASM: Apart from the referees' course being conducted every year, we are taking the written test, fitness test, refresher course to keep the referee updated. Besides, we are also discussing different things with the referees for improvement.

QS: Are the referees being punished for the mistakes?

ASM: If the referees make mistakes, two types of punishment – a certain time frame and financial - are given to them.

QS: What are the updates regarding your intention to introduce VAR in the domestic competitions?

ASM: As other nations are using VAR (Video Assistant Referee), we are also seriously working on it to install VAR next season, though we have financial limitations. It may cost [BDT] eight to nine crores.

QS: Are you going to appoint foreign referees in face of clubs' demand?

ASM: We are also working to hire foreign referees to conduct the important matches of the second leg. There are a lot of talented and educated referees who are coming from university level and I think if we want to protect the talented local players, there is no alternative but to improve the local referees.