Watching football abroad

[Auchinleckian]

Have seen games at the Nou Camp (twice) Gothenburg at the Ulleval Stadium (thrice) the Marseille vs Nice derby at the Velodrome and other grounds whilst on holiday, but always prefer finding the smaller non league grounds and watching games where honest endeavour outweighs any commercial opportunities.
Took in a couple of games in Playa de las Americas the other week whilst holidaying in Tenerfie, and one of them was fascinating to watch. The club involved both times was C.D. Marino, and the first match appeared to be their under 21's or 23's. At first I thought the referee was having an absolute howler, blowing for any kind of physical contact at at all. Then I realised that the Spanish F A have probably looked at such games to instill a level of discipline in young players and to make the game free from intimidating players and their "meaty" challenges.
The longer the game went on the more I enjoyed it. Players who fouled an opposition player always helped them to their feet and shook hands with them. Two players were sent off, and one of them came back to shake hands with the referee as he walked off the pitch. There were no mass remonstrations from other players, they accepted the referee's decision as final. The other player who got sent off tried to physically rip the referee's head off before storming off - am sure he'll be sine died for his actions!
What really did impress me was the absolute authority of the referee (once I'd worked out what was going on) and the way the players mostly reacted favourably to him. I found it difficult to accept that strong challenges for the ball had been outlawed, but I suppose that's as a result of being brought up on such a diet for 50 years now? The crowd were far more noticeable calmer without the need for adrenalin fuelled shouts of "put him into row Z" or "dig a hole for him"
Anyone else seen such games, and if so, what's your own thoughts on the matter?

[WileBrownAstle]

Not been to any games abroad stood outside Barcas gorund whilist they were playing a friendly couple of years ago.
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