Question Number: 13970

Character, Attitude and Control 9/29/2006

RE: High School, Competitive Under 18

Eric of Pitman, NJ USA asks...

In my latest soccer game, one of my players was given a yellow card and sent off the field. My coach yelled out to the ref asking what the call was. The ref simply turned her back on him and started walking away. He persisted in asking for the call but she had no response. Finally, after my coach kept pressing, she turned around and told him that the player had "made a derogatory comment". When My coach asked what he said the ref told him that she wasnt going to repeat it to him. My coach became very angry at this and yelled that she was on the other side of the field and that she wouldnt have possibly been able to clearly hear any such thing. At this the ref gave my coach a yellow card himself. My coach then turned around and walked back saying "ok fine, thank you ma'am". At this the ref gave him a red card saying he made a rude and immproper remark when he turned his back. When the player was given a yellow card, he was on the opposite side of the field as the ref that gave him the card. None of the fans, other players, or the other ref that was standing closer to him, heard or reacted to hearing anything that would be offensive or vulgar.

My first question is are refs required to explain to coaches the calling and reason for giving out cards

My second question is can she really give out all these cards on such weak grounds. (Our team has had problems with this ref before and has even sent in complaints).

Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

To answer your first question is No. The answer to your first question is Yes. Sounds like your coach was out of line, he has no right to press any issue. This is not little league baseball, basket ball or gridiron football. Here coaches occupy the technical area, give tactical instructions and act responsibly. This coach has exceeded his authority and not not acted responsibly.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

When a referee shows a yellow card to a player it reveals 1 of 7 things only! That player
1. is guilty of unsporting behaviour
2. shows dissent by word or action
3. persistently infringes the Laws of the Game
4. delays the restart of play
5. fails to respect the required distance when play is restarted with a corner kick, free kick or throw-in
6. enters or re-enters the field of play without the referee?s permission
7. deliberately leaves the field of play without the referee?s permission.

Any intelligent coach likely has some idea which ones might apply if he paid any attention even if he disagreed with the call. When coaches seek to undermine the credibility of a referee it is important not to undermine oneself or future referees by acting in a controversial manner and engaging their attitude with an even bigger one of your own.

To show a yellow card to a coach is not in my FIFA training manual but USA highschool apparantly permits this aberation. If I verbally ask a coach to please stop acting inappropriately that is a gift of a caution /warning for a second chance. For a referee to be intolerate of the antics of a coach who through his actions has caused a second warning that is two too many but definately 1 over the limit and time for an early exit to the parking lot!

The coach's job is specified in law and questioning a referee for foul or misconduct specifics is not one of them.
Sometimes a reasoned tone will get a reasoned response but there is no guarantee on that. It is ill advised to start something if the timing and circumstances are pressured by emotion.

A referee as a lone figure, is set upon by all participants and the tone, gestures and looks turned her way add up to the examples those who should know better are setting in a failing manner. A referee as a NEUTRAL official has no special interest in the outcome of a match, no need for a result clouds their judgement as it does a coach, player, parent or fan.

You ask two specific questions to which I reply to the first one.
NO a referee does not have to explain, it is a decision, the match continues, it is not a debate or a free exchange of ideas. The referee is a match condition just like the weather rain or sun hot or cold wet or dry, you adapt, you play. The referee is a field condition if you rebound a ball off the goal post or him play continue.

You ask the second and by inference in your conclusion you infer her bias and challenge her integrity.

If a referee has no integrity and will make up stuff to hurt your team than as a psychotic nut job that referee requires professional help! Too often the burden of preference directed towards officials stems from the pro ranks where every so often those lucky enough to be part of the greatest game perform in a format of cheating or stealing or lying for greed and profit. In the same vein those that perform with honour and integrity are driven from the game from constant unwarranted attacks of insults and abuse of perceived biased! A referee with integrity sees what they see (or in your case hears what they hear) even if they see/hear it differently than another. I have refereed thousands of matches to my knowledge I never tried to work a match in favour of one team over another although I have been accused of doing so and in all likely hood this perception is belived by those who fail to grasp that sometimes there is only what there is , not what you think it is.

There is nothing wrong in recording information of officials it can be a good thing if consistant things crop up over all performances. .
We seek input from all who participate, coaches players and parents. All can record and report perceieved grievances as well as praise! Mentors , assessors and assignors all play a part in evaluating the referee and whatever concerns are raised As in all biased information there can be truth just generally not the same truth as what others may glean. If the referee is just having conflict with your team that could tell you something?

You might also consider if the referee is being awarded control over your matches even after you had dissagreements in the past then the league is not considering your complaints as carrying much weight and thus supporting the referee in the performance of her duties.
Cheers

Answer provided by Referee Ben Mueller

The coach failed to act responsibly and faced the consequence.

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

The only possible criticism I could have of this referee is she didn't card your coach quickly enough. Coaches are entitled to give tactical advice to their players and behave in a responsible manner. They are not entitled to question referee's decisions or to yell and scream at them. Kudos to this referee for not puting up with your coach acting like a spoiled child who hadn't gotten his way. Would but more referees not tolerate such behavior.

The following questions were asked as a follow up to the above question...

See Question: 14082