--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The pace of the game demanded a referee…" description: "\"The pace of the game demanded a referee who was fit. It is an indictment of our game. You see referees abroad who are as fit as butcher's dogs. We have..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6f7/alex-ferguson-2811_butchers_the-pace-of-the-game-demanded-a-referee_2690164.png" --- # The pace of the game demanded a referee who was fit. It is… ![“The pace of the game demanded a referee who was fit. It is an indictment of our game. You see referees abroad who are as fit as butcher's dogs. We have some who are fit. He wasn't fit.” quote by Alex Ferguson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6f7/alex-ferguson-2811_butchers_the-pace-of-the-game-demanded-a-referee_2690164.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6f7/alex-ferguson-2811_butchers_the-pace-of-the-game-demanded-a-referee_2690164.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6f7/alex-ferguson-2811_butchers_the-pace-of-the-game-demanded-a-referee_2690164.png) > “The pace of the game demanded a referee who was fit. It is an indictment of our game. You see referees abroad who are as fit as butcher's dogs. We have some who are fit. He wasn't fit.” [Alex Ferguson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-ferguson/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. He criticizes the poor fitness of referees, seeing it as a problem for the sport. **In simple terms:** Referees lack fitness, harming the game. Key Takeaway Advocate better fitness standards for officials. Themes sports fitness fairness accountability Mood critical concerned Type sports leadership When to use this quote - referee training - league policy - coach education Key Concepts physiological standards training regimes professionalism Questions to Reflect On - What policies improve referee performance? - How can clubs support referee fitness? A Different Perspective Fitness alone may not guarantee fair officiating. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Butchers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/butchers/) [Demanded Referee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/demanded-referee-2651885/) [Dog](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dog/) [Fit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fit/) [Football](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/football/) [Games](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/games/) [Indictment](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/indictment/) [Inspirational](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inspirational/) [Pace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pace/) [Referee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/referee/) [Referee Fit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/referee-fit-2651887/) [Referees](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/referees/) [Referees Abroad](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/referees-abroad-2651886/) ## Related quotes > [Pardew has come out and criticized me. He is the worst at haranguing referees. He shoves them and makes a joke of it. How…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-ferguson/pardew-has-come-out-and-criticized-me-he-is-the-worst-at-haranguing/) [Alex Ferguson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-ferguson/) > [“The human element tells you a referee can be wrong. But the good ones will make the correct decisions more often than not. The…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-ferguson/the-human-element-tells-you-a-referee-can-be-wrong-but-the-good-ones/) [Alex Ferguson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-ferguson/) > [Excellent Sheep is likely to makea lasting mark for three reasons. One, Mr. Deresiewicz spent twenty-four years in the Ivy League, graduating from Columbia…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dwight-garner/excellent-sheep-is-likely-to-makea-lasting-mark-for-three-reasons-one/) [Dwight Garner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dwight-garner/) > [I'd just like to know what a cop WOULD have to do to get indicted - and what good are cop cameras since Eric…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-maher/i-d-just-like-to-know-what-a-cop-would-have-to-do-to-get-indicted-and/) [Bill Maher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-maher/) > [But perhaps the most important difference between conservatives and liberals can be found in the area of national security. Conservatives saw the savagery of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karl-rove/but-perhaps-the-most-important-difference-between-conservatives-and/) [Karl Rove](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karl-rove/) > [In the past, yes, I have made sweeping indictments of all white people. I never will be guilty of that again - as I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malcolm-x/in-the-past-yes-i-have-made-sweeping-indictments-of-all-white-people/) [Malcolm X](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malcolm-x/) > [Management cares about only one thing. Paperwork. They will forgive almost anything else - cost overruns, gross incompetence, criminal indictments - as long as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/connie-willis/management-cares-about-only-one-thing-paperwork-they-will-forgive/) [Connie Willis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/connie-willis/) > [We need a Savior. Christmas is an indictment before it becomes a delight.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-piper/we-need-a-savior-christmas-is-an-indictment-before-it-becomes-a/) [John Piper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-piper/) > [All children are artists, and it is an indictment of our culture that so many of them lose their creativity, their unfettered imaginations, as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/madeleine-l-engle/all-children-are-artists-and-it-is-an-indictment-of-our-culture-that/) [Madeleine L'Engle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/madeleine-l-engle/) > [You have to understand that once an indictment has been signed, all countries that are signature to the U.N. charter will hand a person…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tony-greig/you-have-to-understand-that-once-an-indictment-has-been-signed-all/) [Tony Greig](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tony-greig/) > [My lord, I have some matter of law relating to the indictment, and I desire counsel to speak to it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-kidd/my-lord-i-have-some-matter-of-law-relating-to-the-indictment-and-i/) [William Kidd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-kidd/) > [I am at the moment writing a lengthy indictment against our century. When my brain begins to reel from my literary labors, I make…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-kennedy-toole/i-am-at-the-moment-writing-a-lengthy-indictment-against-our-century/) [John Kennedy Toole](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-kennedy-toole/) > [The barometer that shows "variable" is an ironic indictment of God.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jos-bergam-n/the-barometer-that-shows-variable-is-an-ironic-indictment-of-god/) [Jose Bergamin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jos-bergam-n/) > [Half of Louisiana is under water and the other half is under indictment.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/billy-tauzin/half-of-louisiana-is-under-water-and-the-other-half-is-under/) [Billy Tauzin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/billy-tauzin/) > [The pictures that were coming from Vietnam were showing us what was really happening on the ground level. It was in contradiction to what…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-nachtwey/the-pictures-that-were-coming-from-vietnam-were-showing-us-what-was/) [James Nachtwey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-nachtwey/) ## More by Alex Ferguson > [I have nothing but praise for the boy. He is easily the best player in the world. His contribution as a goal threat is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-ferguson/i-have-nothing-but-praise-for-the-boy-he-is-easily-the-best-player-in/) [Alex Ferguson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-ferguson/) > [The lads really ran their socks into the ground.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-ferguson/the-lads-really-ran-their-socks-into-the-ground/) [Alex Ferguson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-ferguson/) > [Sometimes you look in a field and you see a cow and you think it's a better cow than the one you've got in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-ferguson/sometimes-you-look-in-a-field-and-you-see-a-cow-and-you-think-it-s-a/) [Alex Ferguson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-ferguson/) > [If I have my health I can carry on. There will be a point when I do quit but I have absolutely no idea…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-ferguson/if-i-have-my-health-i-can-carry-on-there-will-be-a-point-when-i-do/) [Alex Ferguson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-ferguson/) > [I'm-A-God-Look-At-Me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-ferguson/i-m-a-god-look-at-me/) [Alex Ferguson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-ferguson/) > [If my parents were still alive, they would be very proud. They gave me a good start in life, the values that have driven…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-ferguson/if-my-parents-were-still-alive-they-would-be-very-proud-they-gave-me/) [Alex Ferguson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-ferguson/) > [As with every young player these days, Ronaldo is 18.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-ferguson/as-with-every-young-player-these-days-ronaldo-is-18/) [Alex Ferguson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-ferguson/) > [I've got a temper if I need it. Nothing wrong with losing your temper, if it's for the right reasons.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-ferguson/i-ve-got-a-temper-if-i-need-it-nothing-wrong-with-losing-your-temper/) [Alex Ferguson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-ferguson/) > [The credit to them, the better team won and there's nothing we can do about that now.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-ferguson/the-credit-to-them-the-better-team-won-and-there-s-nothing-we-can-do/) [Alex Ferguson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-ferguson/) > [It was the most emphatic display of selflessness I have seen on a football field. Pounding over every blade of grass, competing as if…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-ferguson/it-was-the-most-emphatic-display-of-selflessness-i-have-seen-on-a/) [Alex Ferguson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-ferguson/) > [Her Majesty said she hoped I would have time for my horses - I own two and have shares in four.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-ferguson/her-majesty-said-she-hoped-i-would-have-time-for-my-horses-i-own-two/) [Alex Ferguson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-ferguson/) > [To not apologize for the behavior of the players to another manager is unthinkable. It's a disgrace, but I don't expect Wenger to ever…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-ferguson/to-not-apologize-for-the-behavior-of-the-players-to-another-manager/) [Alex Ferguson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-ferguson/) > [We have to try to beat Everyone.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-ferguson/we-have-to-try-to-beat-everyone/) [Alex Ferguson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-ferguson/) > [Funnily enough we have never had one enquiry for Paul Scholes. You know why? Because they all know he will never leave. in my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-ferguson/funnily-enough-we-have-never-had-one-enquiry-for-paul-scholes-you/) [Alex Ferguson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-ferguson/) > [You are responsible to each other because when you win a game of football, you only need eight players to perform well.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-ferguson/you-are-responsible-to-each-other-because-when-you-win-a-game-of/) [Alex Ferguson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-ferguson/) [Explore all 149 Alex Ferguson quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-ferguson/) ## More Butchers quotes > [well, death says, as he walks by, I'm going to get you anyhow no matter what you've been: writer, cab-driver, pimp, butcher, sky-diver, I'm…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-bukowski/well-death-says-as-he-walks-by-i-m-going-to-get-you-anyhow-no-matter/) [Charles Bukowski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-bukowski/) > [I go in the butchers and there's not a lot of meat I can eat these days, with having all the animals.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-o-grady/i-go-in-the-butchers-and-there-s-not-a-lot-of-meat-i-can-eat-these/) [Paul O'Grady](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-o-grady/) > [One should stick to the sort of thing for which one was made; I tried to be an herbalist, Whereas I should keep to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-de-la-fontaine/one-should-stick-to-the-sort-of-thing-for-which-one-was-made-i-tried/) [Jean de La Fontaine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-de-la-fontaine/) > [I went to the butchers to buy a leg of lamb. "Is it Scotch?", I asked. "Why?" the butcher said in reply. "Are you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chic-murray/i-went-to-the-butchers-to-buy-a-leg-of-lamb-is-it-scotch-i-asked-why/) [Chic Murray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chic-murray/) > [Mr. William Shakespeare was born at Stratford upon Avon in the county of Warwick. His father was a butcher, and I have been told…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-aubrey/mr-william-shakespeare-was-born-at-stratford-upon-avon-in-the-county/) [John Aubrey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-aubrey/) > [What is that in his hand?" "A cleaver. As in-" "Butcher's knife." "You got it." "I hope not." "He does not look happy." "Are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ridley-pearson/what-is-that-in-his-hand-a-cleaver-as-in-butcher-s-knife-you-got-it-i/) [Ridley Pearson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ridley-pearson/) > [My grandmother was amazing. She completely believed in me and was very encouraging. She would go to the supermarket or the butcher or wherever…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marc-jacobs/my-grandmother-was-amazing-she-completely-believed-in-me-and-was-very/) [Marc Jacobs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marc-jacobs/) > [We look after religion as the butcher did after his knife, when he had it in his mouth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-selden/we-look-after-religion-as-the-butcher-did-after-his-knife-when-he-had/) [John Selden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-selden/) > [Julian was the son of Diokles of Sparta, also known as Diokles the Butcher. That man made the Marquis de Sade look like Ronald…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sherrilyn-kenyon/julian-was-the-son-of-diokles-of-sparta-also-known-as-diokles-the/) [Sherrilyn Kenyon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sherrilyn-kenyon/) > [To see the butcher slap the steak before he laid it on the block, and give his knife a sharpening, was to forget breakfast…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-dickens/to-see-the-butcher-slap-the-steak-before-he-laid-it-on-the-block-and/) [Charles Dickens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-dickens/) > [Just as Americans have discovered the hidden energy costs in a multitude of products-in refrigerating a steak, for example, on its way to the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerry-adler/just-as-americans-have-discovered-the-hidden-energy-costs-in-a/) [Jerry Adler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerry-adler/) > [Editing might be a bloody trade. But knives aren't the exclusive property of butchers. Surgeons use them too.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/blake-morrison/editing-might-be-a-bloody-trade-but-knives-aren-t-the-exclusive/) [Blake Morrison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/blake-morrison/) > [Remember, when you hear them beginning to say "freedom" look carefully-. see who it is they want you to butcher.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-comfort/remember-when-you-hear-them-beginning-to-say-freedom-look-carefully/) [Alex Comfort](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-comfort/) > [There is not much collective security in a flock of sheep on the way to the butcher.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/winston-churchill/there-is-not-much-collective-security-in-a-flock-of-sheep-on-the-way/) [Winston Churchill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/winston-churchill/) > [My wife went into the butchers and said: "You've a sheep's head in your window." The butcher said: "That's a mirror."](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-carson/my-wife-went-into-the-butchers-and-said-you-ve-a-sheep-s-head-in-your/) [Frank Carson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-carson/) [Browse all 179 Butchers quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/butchers/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "The pace of the game demanded a referee who was fit. It is an indictment of our game. You see referees abroad who are as fit as butcher's dogs. We have some who are fit. 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