Referee’s retirement met with widespread celebration

THIS man retired today after 22 years at the top of his field — and in the cruellest fashion, everyone started celebrating.

One of Ben Williams most controversial moments.

IMAGINE spending more than two decades at the very top of your field, and then when you retire, witnessing widespread celebration you were finally quitting.

That’s life as a football referee and the reality veteran Australian whistleblower Ben Williams faced today after announcing Tuesday night’s International Champions Cup match between Juventus and Tottenham at the MCG would be his last match in Australia.

“After 22 years on the national panels and 12 years as a FIFA referee it feels like the right time to hang up the whistle,” Williams said. “I’m looking forward to spending time with my increased family and giving back to them for all the love and support they afforded me throughout my career.”

It’s some resume, but do you think it meant anything to A-League followers on Twitter? Of course not.

Australian betting company sportsbet.com.au — who are always attempting to find the lighter side of moments like this — were particularly savage.

One of their tweets — which included a gif of fans applauding the news — even prompted former ASADA boss Richard Ings to respond: “Why are people so unkind?”

But the betting gurus weren’t the only ones taking shots. This is how Twitter reacted.

A-League fans react to the news that referee Ben Williams has announced his retirement... pic.twitter.com/homLi48I3G

— Sportsbet.com.au (@sportsbetcomau) July 22, 2016

Live scenes from around the A-League as they hear the news Ben Williams has retired...https://t.co/7zRohSz6EM

— Sportsbet.com.au (@sportsbetcomau) July 22, 2016

Is Ben Williams guide dog also retiring or will he be given to one of the other refs #mvfc

— David Schulze (@davschulze) July 22, 2016

Victory players react to the news of the retirement of Ben Williams. pic.twitter.com/wamUpRJf8K

— MelbourneVictory.net (@melbvictorynet) July 22, 2016

Official! Ben Williams announces retirement pic.twitter.com/Y3RfrsAH4W

— The Football Sack (@TheFootballSack) July 22, 2016

lots of @ALeague fans rejoice as @FFA announces Ben Williams retirement ... stocks plummet for manufacturers of red and yellow cards

— Zenith SEM (@Zenith_SEM) July 22, 2016

Favourite Ben Williams moment 👍🏽 pic.twitter.com/CL3gMvsMh4

— stells (@_EstelleAmaliaa) July 22, 2016

At least Williams was given the proper send-off by FFA CEO David Gallop. “I’d like to congratulate Ben Williams on his career and his role in the evolution of referees in the Hyundai A-League,” Gallop said. “Ben spent more than a decade officiating in the A-League and various international matches and tournaments, juggling his role with work and family duties.

“He was an important part of the transition into full time professional referees and we wish him well with his future endeavours and family life.”

And for all those who felt otherwise, there was this from Western Sydney Wanderers digital media manager Christian Layland:

For those of the opinion they can do better than Ben Williams, Hre's the link to referee courses: https://t.co/aO8KQOWOpk

— Christian Layland (@Layles89) July 22, 2016

Go on, sign up.

Originally published as Referee’s retirement met with widespread celebration