2024-02-19 09:41:44
One of the serious issues that are now preoccupying football organizations is the institutionalization of professional refereeing, as is the case in many other European countries.
Referees should be paid appropriately, so that they are not influenced by other situations. Something similar was proposed in 1977, 47 years ago, by the then mayor of Ioannito, Kostas Begas. On the occasion of the bad refereeing by Lagoiannis in the match PAS – Panionios which was the reason for the tension and punishment of the field, Kostas Begas in an interview he gave to Kostas Kravaris and published on Wednesday, February 16, 1977 in “Epirotiko Agona” and “Athletic Echo” , had suggested that an extra salary be given to referees to do their work uninfluenced and not be susceptible to various challenges. What is widely discussed today in Greece and already established in Europe for professional refereeing structures, was said 47 years ago by a provincial town mayor, and at a time when even football was not professional and the players did not have contracts. An innovative idea but also many years ahead of its time. Kostas Begas was a visionary man and knew football very well, as he was a member of the first administration of PAS in 1966 and president of the first promotion to the A’ National team in 1974.
When asked what should be done about the arbitration he noted: “This issue is very delicate. Particular attention should be paid to its base. First of all, the mentality of actors and arbitrators should be changed, with the selection of honest and qualified people in the arbitration, who will need to receive extra salaries in order not to be influenced by interventions and other parameters. Even in the selection of match observers, attention should be paid. I think the time has come to take serious measures to clean up sports.” How relevant these words seem even today.
At another point he underlined: “I believe the ambition of the association was and is the worthy representation of the continental area in Greek football. With the activity that PAS is developing now, it contributes to the constructive development of Greek sports. The team always sought the right distinction without straying from the framework of good competition. I propose that people who do not agree with the sports idea be expelled from the clubs they belong to.”