"It's Not The World Cup", Says Sign - Soccer Parents Proceed to Act Like It's the Final at Wembley Anyway

Liam Montgomery | Sports Reporter | Sutherland Shire Gazette

28 July 2025

As finals season hits fever pitch across junior sports comps across the Shire over the weekend, officials declared peak sideline intensity after multiple altercations, one disputed throw-in, and several parents needing “a quiet word” from the coach.

Local sporting associations recently deployed a set of politely worded sideline signs reminding parents of five basic facts: that these are kids, this is a game, the coaches are volunteers, the referees are human, and - most importantly - this is not the World Cup.

And yet, it was treated exactly as such.

“I know it’s not the actual World Cup,” said Craig, 43, father of a very disinterested under-7s left back. “But it could be. That ref’s offside interpretation was an international disgrace.”

Witnesses say the referee - a 14-year-old volunteer named Ethan - was brought to tears after being accused of “career-ruining decisions” by someone named Deb, who was wearing a visor and holding a KeepCup full of Pinot Gris.

Elsewhere, a mum was allegedly seen replaying slow-motion iPhone footage behind the goal net to mount a case for a handball. Her muttering of “that was shoulder, not chest” reportedly continued all the way to the carpark.

One dad was overheard yelling “PRESS! PRESS!” with such intensity that three nearby spectators instinctively checked their smartwatches for heart arrhythmia.

Dr Eliza Coates, sports psychologist and junior sideline behaviour specialist at Loftus TAFE, says we’re witnessing classic signs of Athletic Transference Syndrome - where a parent’s 1999 semi-final loss in U14s becomes their child’s emotional burden to avenge.

As finals loom, associations are urging parents to show support rather than perform a full tactical analysis like they’re Pep Guardiola trapped in a Kathmandu puffer vest.

Because while your six-year-old might not remember the score - they will remember if you got red-carded from the hill.