Question Number: 13943

Character, Attitude and Control 9/27/2006

RE: Professional

Marty Ream of Urbana, Ohio USA asks...

Can a coach dismiss a ref from the soccer field for using bad language in front of the players ? The ref used the F word a couple of times .

Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

No. He can write a letter.

You say the level of play you speak about is professional, and at that level sometimes using language players clearly understand is needed and they appreciate it a lot more than a caution or a sending-off.

If what you refer to is U-Little's; there is no place for his manner of speech, U-19's possibly and for the same reason as in a professional match. But that's just an opinion based on my background wherein enduring strong language was ever-so-much better than getting yourself or another Marine killed.

Regards,

Answer provided by Referee Ben Mueller

Nope. Referees in charge. He can write a letter to the assignor.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Hi Marty,
The welfare of those we are entrusted with is the over riding concern. I agree with my colleague what is said is attached to how why and when it is said. At an adult match where it is likely to be less offensive could have it said in a manner to not be as concerned. Still no referee should be cursing out the players coaches or parents it is a poor example to set since a referee can send off players for abuse the report that goes back to HQ detailing such a tirade by an official could result in suspension fines or monetary fines.

If a referee was to act inappropriately the coach could try to maintain calm for the benifitand f example in support of the youth under his care. Coaches are not the only officials present that must condiuct themselves in a reasonable manner. Report the actions immediately to league officials with all supporting evidence. A coach who could withdraw his team from the field is taking a big risk but as in all situations of conflict there is always a price to pay for ideals.

I recall a match where the referee wanted to play on a frozen field at 9 am. This coach said no way and argued with the referee and was told, Too damn bad we all travelled to get here and this game is important as the winner will play tomorrow, I say we play if you do not play you will forfeit.
The coach called the league coordinator by cell phone and explained that the field was unplayable and asked why is the referee allowed to force the kids to play unsafely? The parents of all the kids supported the coach and wrote a letter on the spot stating the field was unsafe and it was at risk of injury they would sue the league for any injury substained if their kids were forced to play.

The referee was wrong in allowing a match to be played under such dangerous conditions as the kids had NO traction at all on the shaded parts of the field hard as marble and very slippery yet the laws state he has authority to determine if a match should continue.

After the phone call and resulting discussion the game was delayed for 6 hours as a spot to play at the field was available at 3 pm due to a cancellation by another visiting team.
The next match was schedualled for 11 was also asbandoned by the referee foer that match. The next match at 1 was started by a new offical then stopped for a further discussion and restarted again the sun just softened the pitch enough by then some traction began to appear. A referee without integrity is very dangerous indeed as is a schedual so pressured that games MUST be played or the whole league gets bent! Cheers

Answer provided by Referee Steve Alexander

No, a coach may not dismiss a referee though I'd encourage you to write a letter to both the league and referee's board this should ensure you're unlikely to see him again.