Question Number: 12028

Character, Attitude and Control 1/4/2006

RE: Competitive Adult

Kempes of Chicago, IL USA asks...

My team plays in the NSL league in Chicago. WE are ranked as majors. My question is , does a ref has the power to give a red or yellow card to a player just for talking? OR does the ref has the right to tell a player shut up or he will be sent off? I have studied the laws and have my ref certification in Jamiaca. The same laws of the game book the USA refs uses, we use in Jamica also. AS in the rest of the world. And I have not seen anything in the 17 laws that says a player can and will be sent off for talking.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

I suppose that is thinly vieled sarcasm in the rest of the world dig but to respond properly I need to know what was said , how it was said and why it was said? The who and where part you filled in.

Do not get me wrong your query maybe coloured by the upset tone I read into what you have written but I consider any conduct by anyone be it called unprofessionalism, racisim or plain cussedness to be unacceptable. I simply do not know relavant facts to make clear decisions on what to think. I can only tell you that the GAME is supposed to be fun and those that manage to make it not have little value in my eyes. I despise NEEDLESS confrontation but relish the challange to make things better! For me to respond to a player with shut up is not something I could do unless SEVERLEY irritated to the point where I about to come out like a rampaging grizzly. As I will act to correct this long before it could occur just not my way!.

Not to be flipant but there is all kinds of talking, private no ones business, calm , reasonable discussion, irritaing, idle chatter, mean spirited, disrespectful, trash, foul and otherwise less than stellar attitudes. It can be subtle and soft, just loud enough to GET someones attention or screamed and abrasive.

TALKING could be a verbal method of delivering DISSENT which is cautionable yellow card material or delievering offensive and disgusting send offable comments of ABUSE which is a send off red card material.

I have worn all hats in this great game, coach, player, referee, parent and spectator. Comments that reflect our integrity and abilities are not always unjustified, whether they are appropriate or not is another matter. We must consider the source and type of comments if we are sincere in raising the standards of officiating. Very few officials show cards WITHOUT some justification, even if the ocassional official over reacts, as it is an OPINION to what constitutes acceptable behaviour that referee is that match condition, imposed on that game, on that day!
I say this in most earnest terms the referee is no different that the goal post,, crossbar or cornerpost, he is part of the field of play he is just like the weather.

The weather does not care you play on a sunny day with short lush green cropped smooth pitches or endure a bleak wind swept rain soaked freezing muddy pitches consider the referee in the same manner only remember the ONE difference that counts he is human and does care or in my opinion he should care.

If a referee acts in a manner you feel is unfit or irresponsible for an official to behave you record what he says, video tape the events and report his sorry carcass to those who will not tolerate deplorable conduct. There is no blame or choosing sides ANY conduct that detracts from the greatest of games must be zero tolerated and faced head on to head off further confrontation. All leagues should have in place grievance proceedures where reports of gross conduct by ANY ONE official coach, player, referee , whatever are dealt with appropriately. Cheers

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

Re-read your book which I assume is The Laws of the Game. Look at Law 12. A player may be cautioned and shown the yellow card for unsporting behavior. Depending on what was said, "talking" may be under USB. Look at sending off offenses. A player may be sent off for insulting language or jestures. Again, "talking" certainly can come under this. In fact, many if not most cautions are issued for something a player said. Personlly, I wouldn't hesitate to send someone off for insulting or abusive language. Have done so in the past and will in the future if warranted. Remember, it's the referee's opinion as to what constitutes a caution or send off. Some allow a little mouthing off. Others none at all.

Answer provided by Referee Nathan Lacy

An anecdote, if I might. I know a ref who was working a game and a player launched in a language that the ref did not understand at all. The ref showed the yellow to which the player responded, "You don't know what I said." The ref's reply? "Yeah, but I know what you meant." Even though a player is just "talking" the question arises - what does the player mean? And it is from that perspective that I believe a ref is empowered to caution simply for "talking." All the best,