Question Number: 13938

Character, Attitude and Control 9/27/2006

RE: Middle School Under 15

Dennis Nelson of Richmond, VA United States asks...

I was ejected today. One of my Forwards was dribbling in the box and was fouled, but the one Ref allowed play to continue...I raised my hands and yelled, "Come on Ref!" to which the other Ref blew a whistle and told me to "Keep quiet Coach". I mentioned that I am allowed to voice my opinion and he said that I was not. I mentioned that I Ref also and know the rules...he stopped the Match, called me to the side and proceeded to tell me that I cannot talk to the Ref's...I explained that I can and he said I had to leave the field, asked the Asst Coach to take over, and told me I had to go to the Parking Lot. When I said that I didn't need to go there, that I can go to the Bleechers, he called the Match as a forfeit.....was I out of line or was he?? Please advise as I am going to file a complaint against him.

Answer provided by Referee Ben Mueller

You were out of line and also have incorrect knowledge on the referees responsibilities and coahces. You are NOT allowed to voice your opinion. Just as the referee does not voice his opinion on your coaching, you are NOT to tell him how to referee. You only can give tactical instructions to your team. I am sorry that you disagreed with his decision, but maybe he saw something that you did not. I don't care if you referee yourself. That does not give you the right to act irresponsible as a coach. When ejected you must leave vicinity of field. You refused and he terminated the match as he should have. Grow up!

Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

You may give tactical instructions to your players. You may conduct yourself responsibly. You may occupy the technical area. Those are the only rights afforded you under the Laws of the Game and US High School Rules.

You exceeded what you may do and when a match official reminded you of that you argued the point. He disqualified [high school for expel] you and told you you were to remove yourself from the technical area and the confines of the field and that you were to take no further part in the match. You refused that order. Nice example to your players coach.

Better not file a complaint because he is right. I have heard of coaches who receive 5 match bans for this very reason. If you value your job I hope you consider this Game is not little league baseball, basketball or American football. We are expected to be gentlemen and we require players and coaching staff to be gentlemen as well.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

HI Dennis,

Decision 2
A team official may convey tactical instructions to the players during the match and he must return to his position after giving these instructions. All officials must remain within the confines of the technical area, where such an area is provided, and they must behave in a responsible manner.

as a referee you SHOULD know that you as a coach act responsible and give tactical info only.
Opinions are to be kept on the down low as any loud persistant public DISSET by a coach directed personally towards the referee is likely to get a referee's attention. We are not generally overly concerned with a momentary cry of disapointment. Soccer is a passionate game and no game is fun if there is complete silence but if you recieve a mild warning then complicate the mess by antagonizing the officials further as well displaying ignorance of the laws of the game and setting poor example in front of the kids.
The referee wanted you to leave the area of the field includes the stands, where you could no longer take part in tactically directing the match as perscribed in law

A referee stops, suspends or terminates the match because of outside interference of any kind; (You are that outside interference)

takes action against team officials who fail to conduct themselves in a responsible manner and may, at his discretion, expel them from the field of play and its immediate surrounds; (the referee asked you to leave you refused hence he abandons the match)

The referee in my opinion cannot declare a forfeit unlees it is in your bylaws that any coach expulsiion does so but that is not FIFA rules. We do not decide who wins or who looses.
The referee provides the appropriate authorities with a match report, which includes information on any disciplinary action taken against players, and/or team officials and any other incidents that occurred before, during or after the match.

You can file whatever papers you deem appropriate but you will likely be sanctioned in some manner and if there are bylaws that allow matches to be forfeited due to a coach being expelled perhaps your team will be declared the loser of the match. If they do replay you could very likely not be in attendance. I can only hope you learned something and can make better choices both as a coach and as a referee in the future!
Cheers