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 →If you're not sure what to do with the ball, just pop it in the net and we'll discuss your options afterwards.
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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.
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Football (soccer) is a matter of life and death, except more important.
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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.
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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
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