Question Number: 12226

League Specific 2/19/2006

Darryl of SF, CA USA asks...

This question is a follow up to question 12205

In reponse to Q: 12205 where a player was fouled (red team) and went down to the ground and jumps up toward the player who fouled hime (blue team). At the moment red team player jumps up at blue team player, blue team player says something like "what the hell..." as red team was coming toward him.

Blue Team player is red carded.

VArious resposnes from panel was that maybe the ref over reacted. I would probably agree EXCEPT:

this action took place during a High School game in USA. New to 2005, the national rules committee for high school declared that any "abusive language or taunting" was an automatic red card. The reason behind this (I am guessing) is that there has been an increase with abusive language, etc. and it was felt there should be zero tolerance.

In prior years, abusive language was yellow cards with subs coming in to take the place of offending player. EVen if player received 2nd yellow for abusive language in past, they were gone from game and offending team still got a sub (some called this a "soft" red card).

AT pre game conferences with captains and side discusses with coaches I would remind them of the new rule about automatic red card for HS players regarding abusive language. AT no time when visting with coaches did any of them complain about the new rule. They understood new rule and agreed with it.

In the situation outlined in Q12205, I feel ref was appropariately following high school rules.

With automatic red card, it actually gave better control over these games especially when you a reasonbable number of spectators.

This is one rule modification I do agree with from standard FIFA - USSA policy.

In non high school games I go with flow and apply usual FIFA rules. When doing high school games, I will follow theirs. As an aside, there have been a few times that a player will say something inadvertantly (swear word or phrase)during a HS game and I will say loudly " watch language (ladies/gentlemen)", not card, and move on. In the incident mentioned in Q12205, ref made correct call.

Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

You are absolutely right. That player is GONE. Even though it's written in the book you see that some referees refuse to enforce the Law (in this case rule). Wouldn't it be a better game if we just did as we are asked. No more shirt pulling, no more failing to respect the required distance, no more falling down at the slightest touch and on and on...

Regards,

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

Thanks Darryl. I answered based on the Laws for REAL soccer not American High School. Had I noticed it being a high school game I'd not have answered

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

HI Daryal we appreciate the heads up and my STRONG OPINIONS that follow in noway dish you as the contributor of the information. In fact individuals who are cabable of realizing we could be in error and bringing it in focus are welcomed here always.

If that phrase qualifies for abusive and taunting I find it ABSOLUTELY ridiculous as a manditory application of a card!
If the phrase is considered in such a manner then the how can the quick jump up of the red player into the face of the blue player not be considered as abusive or taunting as a similar gesture?

No one is any more pro than I in not allowing filth or garbage to clutter the game but this highschool national rules invention comittee of do gooders have NO idea as to what consitutes zero tolerance for unwarranted behaviour. Take a look at the real world and if the problem of abuse exists to such a degree that to act or say NORMAL human things is a crime I say utter BS.