Question Number: 14121

Character, Attitude and Control 10/14/2006

RE: community rec league Under 11

Jennifer of warminster, pa usa asks...

I question the referee's authority for kicking a parent out of observing a game for "cheering too loud"...he said it sounded too much like coaching. He also went so far as to say he'll take the parent to court if necessary for something to do with the rules of the game and rights of the referee...
What might he be able to take someone to court over for this type of issue?? Yes, he's arrogant as heck, for 10 year old children's soccer, but what is he allowed to get away with and how should we handle this the most just way.
One more thing, we spoke with the head ref and they are very tight friends he and the ref that made the call and the ref that made the call added much to his story saying things like the parent came on the field during game play to yell at the ref and such (untrue). The parent was cheering; maybe yes it was in a loud male voice, but only positive things for the team were being said.
Now, it seems the ref and his cohort have it out for the entire team.
Concerned parent....

Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

That's your side of the story, fine. I'll bet there is another side. It's been my experience parents in younger age groups have no real idea what is going on on the field, what they are saying and the extent of the referee's authority.

When you try to fight this one you'll find out the referee is within his rights to do exactly as he did. He is within his rights to conduct the match anyway he wants. He is within his rights to ask a parent to leave. While it is usually the coaches responsibility to tend to parents who insist on "coaching" their kids sometimes he just can't. Then the referee steps in and gives the parent a choice, either leave or the match is over.

You attend these matches to watch your child compete with other children his age. You don't come to coach, abuse the referee, other parents, the other kids though it seems a lot of parents do exactly that. Referees get to have that abuse heaped upon them day after day and if it wasn't for referees there would be no matches. It isn't any fun suffering abuse from those individuals who seem to relish in demonstrating their ignorance by screaming at the top of their lungs at referees who must take a 16 hour course and pass a 100 question test to qualify as a referee. We do tire of those with limited knowledge attempting to influence how we behave on the field.

The referee that day is what he is, he is right; right or wrong he is right. He is the field condition under which the match, that day, is played. Enjoy what your kids do on the field, let them compete and demonstrate their skills by themselves and let the referee do his job. The match is better then AND you get to stay till the end.

Answer provided by Referee Ben Mueller

I agree that parents in the younger age group games just need to be quiet. Parents think that they know all the laws, but they do not. I also am willing to bet that there is another side of the story. The referee has full authority over everything during and after the game. What he/she may take you to court over I have no idea. Again, I wager there was more.

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

The referee actually has NO authority over any fan. If a parent came on the field all he can do is stop play and ask the parent to leave. He may also call the police and ask them to remove the parent but this is rarely done unless the parent was threatening the referee or a menace to player safety. The referee may go to the coach of the parent's team and ask that the parent leave, but he can't force them to. He may stop the game and refuse to restart until the parent leaves and he may expel the coach if the coach doesn't help and he may abandon the game. I find it hard to believe any referee would threaten a lawsuit that he couldn't possibly win. The referee has no "rights" when it comes to people yelling at him unless he is threatened. He has the right to call the game as he sees fit. One would think he had the right to be treated with common decency and respect for his authority but parents seem to believe they know more than the referee and should tell him so at every possible chance. Referees have to take a rigorous course and pass a test to be certified. We must soend many hours yearly to advance our knowlegde and be recertified. Like my collegues, I would like to hear the other side of this confrontation. I will say that U10 is probably the worst age group to referee when it comes to lack of knowledge and respect from parents and coaches. They seem to think this is baseball and the referee is fair game. I don't expect parents to be quiet but I do expect them to be non-confrontational and respectful. Usually they know and understand virtually nothing about the Laws of the Game and are the first to prove it by their comments. If you feel this referee was out of line you should first go to the referee assignor and then to the Board of your League.

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