Question Number: 14066

Character, Attitude and Control 10/7/2006

RE: AYSO (in this matter) and club Adult

Coach Kelly of Lebec, CA USA asks...

If a referee feels that a spectator is guilty of verbal misconduct, what is the proper way to deal with it? Should the coach on the side of the field where the spectator is yelling be verbally warned by the ref? Should the ref pull out a yellow card and point to the spectator? Should the ref immediately show the red card right after showing the yellow card? If the ref has shown both the yellow and red cards, should he then proceed with restarting the game while the coach and spectator still occupy their places on the sideline? All this during an AYSO U10 game in which the 13 year old ref is the ONLY official of the game, having not requested a volunteer to assist with the line for either side.

Answer provided by Referee Ben Mueller

The best way to handle spectators is through the coaches. Tell the coach that a spectator is out of line and needs to be removed or game will not continue. A yellow card cannot be shown to a spectator. If the coaches can remove the guilty spectators, the game continues. Else, the match is terminated. Othere referees have tried to talk to the spectators calmly. Many times this works.

Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

Today I asked the captain who did that father belong to. The answer was immediate and that player was asked to tell her dad to shut up of the match was over. It worked.

Regards,

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Hi Coach kelly,
it is pathetic to think an age 13 referee and 7, 8, 9 year old players are forced to endure the ravings of an irritating adult at a fun soccer match. As to the 13 year old being at fault in someway by not asking for a volunteer I disagree, parents should enjoy watching their kids hard to do a line job while cheering your team and kids. I will only use neutral parties as AR. I referee as a single official rather than force someone to flag. I find far less problems. Adults asked to help often add more than their entitled opinion.

I always expect the coaches to assist with touchline etiquette in fact the LEAGUE should have all parents and players sign fairplay contracts that outline expected behaviour and the results if it is NOT adhered too. Coaches are obligated in contract to assist the referees in keeping it civil and non confrontational.

While a player telling mom or dad to shut up sounds humourous too often embarassed adults take it out on their own kids in private.
One adult to another tell them to knock it off and grow up!

A referee suspends the match until that disruption is removed or leaves. Once gone the match could continue. Failure to remove the irritant, the referee abandons the match and submits a report detailing all particulars including whether any assistance was forth coming by anyone . This idea of showing cards to spectators is understandable in trying to help young people deal with the older idiots but it is not part of FIFA protocall. Simply stop the match and say for all to hear. " I am very sorry but if that abuse continues, this match will not!"
Cheers

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

What is it about U8 and U10 parents that become disgraces and embarrassments when they get to a soccer field? Actually, I know the answer; ignorance. Parents of players in the lowest age/skill groups are woefully ignorant as to even the basics of Law but are quick to treat soccer referee as they see basketball and baseball officials treated. There also seems to be a bit of bullying taking place when 35 year old dads berate and verbally abuse 13 year old referees. To your specifics, no cards are to be shown to spectators or coaches. Youth soccer Guidelines tell us to approach the coach of the team with the unruly parent(s). The referee has no direct control over spectators but he may refuse to restart the match until the offending parent is taken care of. Peer pressure works well and I've allowed players to tell their abusive pater or mater to, politely of course, put a lid on it. We are losing about 44% of all referees on a yearly basis and coach/fan abuse is by far the #1 reason cited.