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That's why refs have whistles, and why I get cross when they don't use them when they're making calls. Players should always play to the whistle. Expecting (often drunk) spectators not to shout stuff is a little unrealistic, and contrary to the spirit of the game.

In the infamous "reset" incident, those players that were stupid enough to stop playing because of a random shout unaccompanied by a whistle deserved to have a goal scored on them, IMO.

I think thats a little unfair Bill. there are alot of games that get reffed without whistles being available to refs.When i have one i use it but often I dont have a whistle and therefore expect players to respond to me if i give a ruling on something. Sometimes when you are playing, you dont know who has shouted something that sounds like a ref's order so it is natural to assume it is from a ref.

Not wanting to jump on the Beagle bandwagon here but there were issues the other day in league games where Ben called things as a goal ref and has also 'called' (ie not just heckling but assuming 'refship') goals when he isnt a goal ref, influencing the referee and totally confusing things.

People always shout and heckle but rarely in the way that the 'reset' incident played out. If its not your call then wind your neck in surely.