Some people think football is a matter of life and death. I assure you, it's much more serious than that.
Bill ShanklyRead
The trouble with referees is that they know the rules, but they do not know the game.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Referees may understand the rules of a game, but without deep knowledge of the game itself, they often misinterpret situations.
Bill Shankly's quote highlights a common frustration in sports where referees, despite their knowledge of the rules, can lack the necessary understanding of the nuances and dynamics of the game being played. This disconnect can lead to decisions that may seem correct on paper but fail to grasp the realities of the competition, thus affecting the fairness and flow of the sport.
Themes
RefereeRulesGameSportsUnderstanding
In practice
Example use cases
During a sports discussion, referencing this quote to explain how referees might miss the complexities of the game.
More from Bill Shankly
All quotes βIf you're not sure what to do with the ball, just pop it in the net and we'll discuss your options afterwards.
Bill ShanklyRead
Fire in your belly comes from pride and passion in wearing the red shirt. We don't need to motivate players because each of them is responsible for the performance of the team as a whole. The status of Liverpool's players keeps them motivated.
Bill ShanklyRead
Football (soccer) is a matter of life and death, except more important.
Bill ShanklyRead
One day in 1959, when Huddersfield were playing Cardiff City, Tom (T.V.) Williams, who was then chairman of Liverpool, and Harry Latham, a director, came down the slope at Leeds Road to see me. _x000D_ Mr Williams said, 'How would you like to manage the best club in the country?' _x000D_ 'Why, is Matt Busby packing it up?' I asked.
Bill ShanklyRead
The socialism I believe in isn't really politics. It is a way of living. It is humanity. I believe the only way to live and to be truly successful is by collective effort, with everyone working for each other, everyone helping each other, and everyone having a share of the rewards at the end of the day. That might be asking a lot, but it's the way I see football and the way I see life.
Bill ShanklyRead
Similar quotes
I used to tease Joe Louis by reminding him that I was the greatest of all time. But Joe Louis was the greatest heavyweight fighter ever.
Muhammad AliRead
The only football players in my time were fellows who really loved to play football. They were not in it for the money. There wasn't much money there. They would have played football for nothing.
Red GrangeRead
The only great English midfielder in my career was Paul Scholes. He had elegance in him. Others were pretenders.
Andrea PirloRead
I hated the Yankees and Dodgers and wound up managing both.
Joe TorreRead
I didn't realize until I was doing commentary what a gladiator-like competition tennis is - other than no one dies. The crowd is waiting for the players to come, and they walk through the tunnel, and they get on the court, and they get out their rackets, their weapons, and now they start.
Martina NavratilovaRead
You can win tournaments when you're mechanical, but golf is a game of emotion and adjustment. If you're not aware of what's happening to your mind and your body when you're playing, you'll never be able to be the very best you can be.
Jack NicklausRead