by Carlson Montour

Created on: November 08, 2009   Last Updated: November 09, 2009

As a rule, home teams do not get preferential treatment from football officials. There are no studies to support either side of this debate because the correctness of most football calls is subjective and requires the judgment of the referees. Why is the belief that the referees favor the home squad so widely held?

There are few disinterested fans in the stands at any football game regardless of the talent and/or age levels of the participants. From Pee Wee Leagues to the NFL, the bleachers on both the home and visitors sides are full of passionate, face-painted fanatics holding signs, and being whipped into a frenzy by well-choreographed cheerleader routines and blaring music. In this electric atmosphere, every call from a referee is going to be ill received by at least one side.

Fans loyal to their team, by definition don't seem to be able to assess the calls made by game officials objectively. If a flag is thrown against the fan's favored team, it is either a mistaken call or a blatant effort to give an edge to the other team. The referee is either blind or crooked. The rabid fan is in no condition to consider, for even a moment, that their beloved team actually committed the violation of the rule.

Fans of the visiting team arrive at the game carrying with them the expectation that the refs are going to favor the home team. During the entire game they will search for, and find, examples to support this preconceived notion. As the fans gather what they perceive as injustices, the self-fulfilling prophecy comes into effect. If the visiting team loses, their irate, deflated fans, leave the stadium muttering something like, I told you the refs down here are crooked. We never had a chance!

The home fans will also react strongly and irrationally to yellow flags thrown due to alleged rule violations committed by their team. Unable to blame the referees for favoring the home team, they must conjure other motives to assign to the game officials. The refs must be blind, bribed, or ignorant of the rules. Some men and women in stripes are accused of doing their job too well. You may hear, Come on, just let them play ball! when the fans believe the refs are calling too many penalties.

In conclusion, long-time baseball fans remember the shouts of Kill the ump. The football equivalent is, The refs threw the game. But at some time in any given game, this accusation comes from either side of the football. Right or wrong, blaming the ref for the woes of a team has become entrenched in football. Despite the black eye it gives to good sportsmanship, it is just part of every football game played and makes for great Monday morning debates around the water cooler.

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