Question Number: 14744

Character, Attitude and Control 1/26/2007

RE: Recreational Under 15

L. Borges of Surrey, BC Canada asks...

I have recently started to referee youth games. The following situation occured.

A ball went into the penalty area one or two minutes before the end of the game. A forward and a defender went after the ball. The team of the defender was winning by one goal. The defender kicked the ball first. The defender made a slight contact with the forward after kicking the ball. The forward fell into the groud making exagerated gestures, and from the ground he started to request a penalty kick. His coach and father started to yell from the sidelines: "how you can not call this a penalty"?. There were comments of displeasure from other parents of the same team too.

I had no doubt this was not a foul. I started to approach the forward, and I began to pull my yellow card because in my opinion he tried to deceived me. (I had awarded a penalty kick to his team in a game the previous week). The player was upset and he started to cry when he saw that I was pulling the card. When I was going to rise the yellow card he angrily told me that it was not fair, and he started to hold his leg on the ground saying that he was in pain. These are my questions:

(1) Is the following procedure correct?
* Show a yellow card for trying to deceive the referee (unsporting behaviour)
* Show a second yellow card for dissent, and subsequently a red card.
Altenatively, is it correct to show a red card directly in this situation?

I would appreciate your clarification.

(2) This is what I actually did. I signalled the coach to come to the field, and I waited for the player to get up with the assistance of the coach. I only showed the player a yellow card, and I finished the game a few seconds after the free kick. To be honest, I got intimidated by the father and the coach. The father wanted to come into the field, and another parent was holding him. I thought that if I would be showing the red card that I would completely losing control of the sidelines.
Thank you.

I am finding difficult to deal with coaches that are agressive and complain constantly about decisions.

I am sorry. I have to make a correction with respect to the lquestion.

I finished the game a few seconds after the throw-in. I think that I wrote "free kick"

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

One yellow card for the unsporting behavior seems to be enough in my opinion. His reaction of "not fair" and holding his leg could be considered to be an extension of his simulation. Waiting until he was back up on his feet was a good decision.

If you did feel it was two separate incidents, the correct mechanic would be to show the yellow, show it again, and then show the red. That would be your decision, as you were the one who was there, not I.

After reading my colleagues' comments, I'd like to add this. You may be able to talk the player out of his dissent mode. "You're already getting a caution, do you need a second one?" I learned this from a well-respected experienced ref in our area. If a player who had been cautioned earlier is getting a bit chippy again, he calls out, "Number 7, don't you already have a caution?" Not to excuse a player who clearly deserves it, but to remind him if he's nearing the line.

We can't second-guess whether a player is really hurt or not. His exaggerated motions were what got him cautioned for simulating. Perhaps he really was hurt as well, in which case you were wise to allow the coach onto the field to assist him off. At that point you would move away from the player, so the coach wouldn't get in your face. If the coach is more concerned with coming over to argue with you than he is with attending his hurt player, you should be considering how to deal with the coach's misconduct. It doesn't sound like responsible behavior to me - he could either be formally warned or sent off.

As for the father on the sidelines, you have no direct authority over him. However I imagine he's not silently trying to break away from the other parent that was restraining him. You again would be totally within rights to tell the coach that the father has to leave, or the game won't resume.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

-Hi Mr Borges,
the biggest mind killer in recreational sports is the mindless carnage of foul epitaphs or pathetic actions that drivels out of irresponsible morons passing themselves off as adults, fans, parents, soccer players, coaches or sadly even other officials.

It is unfortunate but it is part of the weeding out process of acceptable referee character to be able to withstand abuse and dissent from the touchlines. The successful applicants will develop an alligator hide and make the correct determinations to stop play and refuse to continue unless these morons move along or are disciplined.

It takes considerable courage to do this and defusing confrontational situations to prevent this are a matter of how you deal with all matters concerning a match. I can only hope you survive long enough to develop the backbone and tools to deal with unpleasant situations and people.

I have remarked many times a referee with integrity sees what he sees. If you read my profile that concept is integral to why I referee and refuse to let those who cast a shadow not go unlighted!
I also remark
1 player sees what he feels
2 coach sees what he wants to see
3 spectator sees what they think they see

There is no guarantee that the foul recognition of a referee will be 100% correct and it is a fact that at least 50% of those watching will likely disagree even with a correct decision. A referee cannot call a match based on the opinions and attitudes of those watching or playing. A referee can pick up CLUES from the muttering but must block the meaningless biases and personal desires of those who require a specific outcome! In as much as a call can prevent an escalation, things occur out of sight or are blocked from view these emotions that elevate the passions are carved from non calls or perceived wrong calls.

You mention slight contact?
Could it been enough to send the player to ground?
You made a decision!
A good tackle by the player challenging, the opponent upon losing possession of the ball used the moment to try and draw a foul by going down with no provocation?
He presented to be hurt? or was he hurt? A tiny nip on the ankle throbs with the best of them?
When a player goes down too easily in my opinion I scream something like
Nothing there! or All ball! or Good tackle! then Get UP ! or PLAY! using one or both hands waving get up now!
Here I see it was vaguely possible there was some incidental contact after the challenge where the player fell over the opponent. We are preventing a roll around or a cry for a foul where we could caution by proactively cutting off even the attempt to do so!

Cards are a tool of man and game management, they are carefully used to make a point that NEEDED to be made by an event that leaves no other choice. Never reach for a card immediately unless you positively MUST defuse a volatile situation. If you had gone over to the downed player and tried to get him on his feet by as I suggested earlier before you stop play! By the way when did you stop play? and how did you restart?

If we have the proper position and see the embellishment and exaggerated theatrics on a scale that can not be ignored and we still get that arm waved by that player rolling around holding to a body part that was never touched by all means get over to him immediately, look him in the eye, ask him to get to his feet, ask for his name and number then inform him he is being booked for simulation and any further dissent or creative theatrics will not be tolerated show the yellow card and restart with the indfk out!

You understand when we do this we have disgraced this player by pointing out to all that he is a cheater! If he did cheat then he will know you are a sharp cookie and not to be trifled with. If he was hurt and is unaware the ball was contacted first and he felt the opponent kick or trip him he could feel you are an incompetent fool or unfair even if you were 100% correct in the call was fair. Perception as an opinion has no value in reality only in the mindset of the one doing the imagining. Players, coaches and parents must buy into the agree to disagree theory when calls are different than they wish.

Basically it rests on your decision your match your reputation to take the action best suited in your opinion to the events at the time. We try to conjecture what ifs so you can rethink or reshape options that might help you later on. Two minutes left was that card necessary? if you say yes then that is what was required! In your match report mention any abuse or non responsible conduct by the coach and or team officials. I agree with my colleague Ref Voshol
the coach must coach not lecture or offer opinions as to the validity of a referee's decision. He can record and report to match authorities if he wishes too. Feedback whether positive or negative paints a picture if we monitor it all the time not in isolated incidents!

The upset parent being restrained, the coach should be all over that to help restore calm as you could indeed refuse to continue the match if being threatened. Emotional reactions are generally diffused more with time than reason. You will learn that sometimes you can distract those caught up in the passion of the moment to save them from themselves and sometimes they bring upon themselves the punishment befitting their actions when they go too far, too long or too loud!

Cheers

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

I'm sorry to hear that you have unruly parents. They can be a pain to deal with and they show a terrible example to the players. I'm equally sorry to hear you were intimidated by the coach and parents. This is something you need to deal with. I have found over the years that being quick and forceful WITHOUT being confrontational works best. I agree with Ref Voshal that in this circumstance, the single caution and showing of the yellow card was probably all that was necessary. You use your cards to control the game and you did so. That said, you should never be intimidated by any coach/parent/player from issuing a card when needed. You have to be firm and make it clear that you are in charge. I have not had to ask many coaches to leave but will not hesitate to do so. I am quicker to ask the coach to deal with unruly parents. We have no direct authority over parents but I have on many occasions made it very clear to a coach that if a parent didn't leave I was not going to restart the game. Give him a time limit. Last time I did this I told the coach that he had 5 minutes to have a parent leave or I would terminate the match, write a report and let the State Association deal with it. Usually the coach is successful especially when the other parents realise I'm serious and they get onto the offending person. I know you are concerned about your safety but unruly spectators must be dealt with. Most parents don't want to harm you but if you let them get to you their behavior escalates. I'm willing to bet you allowed the coaches and parents to dissent your calls throughout the game. Why wouldn't the player feel he had just as much right as them to dissent. When dealing with poor behavior, it is always best to nip it in the bud . I agree with Ref Mueller. If your safety is threatened, dial 911.

Answer provided by Referee Ben Mueller

Lots of stuff to talk about here. First off, you are 100% correct to caution this player for simulation. Right after you display card or announce that he is being cautioned if he continues to protest your decision, you also have the power and right to show the yellow card and then a red card (for 2 yellows) to this player. My colleague Mr. Voshul seems to think just a caution is enough here. I am going to disagree with him slightly and say that if the player argues with you after you display card and challenges your decision, he deserves a send off. A lot of referees would disagree with me, but my point is "why let him act like a baby anymore simply because he already received a caution. Now as far as the parents and coach...they get 1 warning and then they are gone. If the parent comes onto the field and threatens you in anyway, you call the police. SERIOUSLY! Referee abuse and assault are not laughing matters and should not be taken lightly at all. Of course send a report to the league in detail as to what happend.