Question Number: 12373

Character, Attitude and Control 3/16/2006

RE: U9 Travel Professional

Jason McKee of Baltimore, Maryland USA asks...

I was watching a local U9 tournament this weekend and a point of contention arose between an experienced center offical and one of the coaches.

A Forward got the ball, broke away and the GK came out and grabbed the ball of his feet to which the Forward ended up kicking the GK... however there was nothing malicious in it. The offical stopped play and instructed the Forward that this was unacceptable play.

The coach began yelling at the offical on the grounds that he had no right to correct his player and, moreover, could not address him directly for longer than 15 seconds.

The offical took great exception to this and showed the coach the yellow card... the coach continued undeterred and was susequently shown a red card (Not for the first time as a coach, by the way).

I thought the actions taken by the offical were prudent regarding both the Forward and the coach. Afterall, isn't the offical responsible for what transpires on his pitch?

My question is did this coach have any grounds for protesting? My gut feeling is that the coach was wrong in both his reasoning and reaction.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Hi Jason,
Your Guts get thumbs up here my friend!

u9 travel professional, man you guys start way to early for me ?LOL
No coach has grounds to protest in that manner period. You table the issues and if there is a misapplication of law or an issue you feel strongly about then you submit a protest through channels and ruffle a few feathers if need be

A referee at a youth match often is under self exerted pressure to do well. The added pressure of irate fans, obnoxious coaches, and troublesome players create a panic attack of sorts in many newer referees. It is not that a referee is error free but he should be at least terror free of making a decision. I find solace that the referee did not bow to the intimidation.

As I was not privy to what was said or how it was said, speaking as a coach, I prefer to coach and I prefer the referee to referee. Speaking as a referee if I NEED To talk to a player the coach had best be quiet or I might have the NEED to talk to him as well. This is not an attempt to be a mini dictator but each referee finds his way in a match that is in the best interest of the players, their safety and the rule and spirit of the LOTG.

As a coach if a referee talks to my player in a derogatory or unacceptable fashion in my opinion I will record and report. I expect no less if I was referee and the coach felt the same. WE are ALL there in the interest of FAirplay and our kids safety, we MUST be able to agree to disagree in a fairplay fashion and set an example for our kids.

If the comments to my player from the referee are valid, safety concerns, man management related, no nonsense warnings that is his duty to enforce the LOTG and set a standard of acceptable behaviour that the game is better off playing under. I have no idea of this 15 second concept?? other than we can generally get our point across quickly it is better to keep the flow of the game. However each issue is judged on its own merits and needs. I recall delaying a restart for 5 minutes to sort out suspect fake injuries cautions and send offs and warnings as that was the reality of the situation.

I know that some associations permit the showing of cards to coaching staff not just the players. The only legal way under FIFA is to show a card to players/ roster subs only. Still I can not effectively argue the reasoning to control those who are out of control and to protect the referee as the source of this position even though I would not do so myself.

I suppose the symbolic gesture of showing cards gives the referee a measure of courage and support, however, I simply would tell the coach flat out "This match does not take place with you here!" The coach's demeanour at a u-9 match is pathetic and the need to remove this quarrelsome individual is ok by me.