Question Number: 17446

Mechanics 10/22/2007

RE: Rec Under 13

Sarah K of San Antonio, TX USA asks...

Thanks for the answers to my last questions (and yes, I meant penalty area, not goal area). Now another one for you:
I was AR'ing a U12G rec game Saturday. At the far end of the field, a defender passed the ball to the keeper, who picked it up. The other AR (my 11-yr-old son) waved his flag, the Center Ref blew the whistle and called the keeper for handling the ball on the pass. Then, however, the Center awarded a PK. The AR was unsuccessful getting the attention of the Center (and later admitted he wasn't sure what the award should be). I knew it should have been an IDFK, but couldn't get the Center's attention from where I was. The PK was taken and goal scored (luckily it did not affect the final outcome of the game). I did speak with the center at halftime and explained the mistake, but what could I/should I have done to avert the problem?
As always, thanks for all your assistance.
cheers-
Sarah

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

This referee has potentially caused the game to be protested due to the misapplication of the Laws. Fortunately in this case it made no difference to the outcome of the game.

When a referee is about to make such a grand mistake, the AR's must do all in their power to stop it from happening. While the AR is to Assist, not Insist on a call, this is one time the AR *must* insist on being heard, so that the ref team as a whole doesn't get it wrong. Call out to him by name if necessary. From the far end of the field, you may need to run down the line and even into the field a ways.

Did the ref accept he had made a mistake when you talked at halftime? If not, alert your assignor so he can be correct next time.

Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

This is one of the times the assistant MUST insist. Even if it involves him running up to the referee and offering the advice "mouth to ear". Once the referee has the information he will make up his mind and give the correct restart or continue digging the hole he is already in.

Regards,

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Hi Sarah,
you will find that as AR there wil be times you see your referee place the loaded gun of opinion against his foot and proceed to shoot his toes off by the way he decides to recognize fouls and misconduct. You inwardly cringe but try to bear it as stoically as possible.
His match, his decision, his reputation!
However, when he raises that gun and begins to take aim at the match you need to stop him and you need to it ASAP. This is not just an opinion that is highly fabricated or incorrect or stretched to the thinnest of breaking points this is an outright destructive blast, a MISAPPLICATION of the laws where the entire match outcome could be tossed out and ordered replayed. You raise the flag, you call out to him, you go over and talk to him. You do not publicly rip a strip or cause him to be further embarrassed, this in my opinion could hardly get worse, you calmly but definitely explain the why what, where when, how and get him to correct this decision. If he says go take a hike I am the referee say, "Yes Sir you are!? hand, him the flag and ask if you can go home! Alert the assignor and the assessor to get this referee some serious help.

Cheers

Answer provided by Referee Michelle Maloney

Oh, dear. The old mistake of calling a keeper for handling within his own area - that's bad. I'm so glad you recognized it, and I can tell you are growing with each game. Next time you will know to get his attention by hook or crook - wave your flag, call his name, go grab him by the arm if all else fails. Smile when you are doing it, and face the field together and away from players and the touchlines when you explain what must be explained. Now, there will be those who do not appreciate the advice and who will choose to ignore you. That's fine, you've done all you can for that game. However, you must next have a conversation with the assignor and/or a trusted senior referee and ask them to get with the referee and discuss the matter.

Answer provided by Referee Steve Montanino

YOU have got to inform the referee he is about to make a critical error and misaplication of the laws. After you inform him (quietly) and in no uncertain terms that the restart should not be a PK but an IFK instead, you have done your duty. What the referee does next is up to him, and hopefully he is wise enough to listen to a smart person like you who actually studies the laws.

These are basic fouls and restarts, there is really no excuse for this or any referee making this error.