Question Number: 16968

Mechanics 9/28/2007

RE: Competitive Under 16

Pam of Bethesda, MD USA asks...

I was an AR in a game where the red team dominated from beginning to end. Near the beginning of the game, white called for a sub and sent a player on, but no one came off. When he found out that player had come off a few minutes ago, the ref gave a yellow card to the white player for leaving without permission. The game continued and red team began to run up the score. White coach made some comment about not having subs / enough players. The game was fairly rough (IMHO), with fouls going both ways. A few players were yellow carded for unsporting behavior. White coach complained more and more loudly as the game went on. He argued with calls that were made, calls that weren't made, insisted that a foul should have been a card and got very upset about a throw-in that he said should have gone the other way. He asked the other coach to "call off his players" because he "couldn't afford any more injuries." Near the end of the game, the center cautioned the white coach. (white coach also complained loudly when the ref told the assistant coach to get ready to take over). Anyway, from my point of view, the whole game was getting ugly and unpleasant all around. Now red team's coach starts telling red player "Joe" to step off the field. I tell "Joe" to wait and yell to the center ref. Center turns around and I tell him that this player wants to leave the field. (My impression is that red coach wants to play down a man. They are now ahead by seven goals. I assume that red coach wants to calm down the game a little and that his intentions are sporting.) Center tells "Joe" that he can't leave because it's not a sub opportunity. I hoped that Red coach would take the hint, or center would be able to prevent this, but red coach again tells "Joe" to step off the field. Thinking in the spirit of the game, I didn't feel anything would be gained by giving a yellow to Joe. (Joe gets mad for following coach's instructions and getting carded... Red coach gets mad for player getting carded when he's just trying to chill out the game a little.) So I decided to "not see" Joe leaving. Of course, I know that this is completely against the law of the game. And it was wrong in the sense that White player was carded for leaving without permission, and for the sake of consistency, Red player should get carded too. Yet I felt like the card would have increased tension in a game that was already ugly. Should I have called center over and had him give yet another card?

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Sometimes we try as individuals to do a kind thing not truly knowing if it is the just thing! We moralize so often in our effort to be right, thinking on a decision as what is best at that moment in time! Assumptions, perceptions, opinions, the laws of the game, the needs of the kids, the requirements of duty. You managed to role it all out in your saga.
The referee as the decider, the AR trying to help the decider decide a decision that the referee will likely decide as he did earlier.

The red coach if he wished to take off man power as a sporting gesture. Fine wait till a stoppage Tell the coach, Coach next stoppage!

A player who wishes to leave the field during play can do so if the referee allows it. This is NOT a substitution this is choosing to play a man short for whatever reason, adjust equipment, injury needs a look feeling sick, bathroom brea, give the opposition a break, etc..

The referee was in a prissy mood and said no. Fine! Wait till a stoppage. To deliberately bait him and leave anyway after the game has been edgy, a player has already been cautioned is a disrespectful in your face I will do as I please. I think the referee might be less than observant after saying no then to not see that player would be suspicious.
As AR your referee requires this info> You as referee might decide one way but this is his match, his decision, his reputation not your good deed for Boy Scouts of America. Trust me there are better ways to make the world a better place then undermine the referee by not relaying what he specifically said not to do and they did anyway!

Personally a player asks to leave, fine, let him go. He must go and he must not participate in play as he goes off and he cannot return without permission. It is sad the kid?s game had an ugly feel to it when it is supposed to be a fun game. If you learned anything then decide when you assume the referee duties not to let games fester like that
Cheers

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

The ref should have let Joe take a breather, fix his shinguard that has become loose, whatever. However, since he has not given permission to leave, you have an opportunity to help Joe avoid being cautioned. Tell him, "Joe, the ref says you can't leave the field yet. Just stand by the sideline until a stoppage."

Then after the game, if you can do it calmly, ask the ref about his reasoning for not letting Joe go off. Maybe he's got a good explanation, or maybe he's got his concepts confused. Maybe he didn't realize Joe wasn't being subbed out. If you get an excuse that is totally off the wall, tell your assignor about it so the ref can get some additional help to set things straight.