Question Number: 19239

League Specific 5/31/2008

RE: Rec Under 14

Maria J. of Martinez, California United States asks...

How much older should a referee be than the players?

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

My assignor uses the rule that the referee should be at least an age group older than the team, and the AR's should be at least the same age. When you get multiple years of experience, that rule can be waived. In addition, you do not do any games in divisions in which you or a family member plays or coaches.

Answer provided by Referee Michelle Maloney

The question should be "Is this referee qualified to do this level game?" If the answer is yes, then age doesn't matter. If the answer is no, then age doesn't matter. It is impossible to quantify quality with number of years on this earth. There are adult referees with less than one year of experience that my young referees with two years of experience and years of playing can whistle circles around. Why would I want to put someone in the middle of a game because of their age? The teams want someone who can call a good game, and so do I and that's who should be refereeing the game. Regards,

Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

There is no mention of a match referee's age in the CYSA By-Laws. That is not to say a district or league may have restrictions in place for competition within their purview. Those having restrictions on age as the only criteria for assignment may be in conflict with State and National discrimination prohibitions.

It is beyond reason for a referee with 2-4 years experience and a US Soccer referee grade 08, who just happens to be 16, from being assigned as match referee or assistant referee on any youth match. Further, a referee must officiate at the next - higher level to accumulate experience to be certified competent at that level. Assignors must exercise care to increase the difficulty level of the game assignments in a gradual and orderly manner for the official and of the players.

Because the minimum age requirement of a US Soccer grade 07 referee is 17 it is entirely possible he would be assigned to "All youth games and mixed leagues, assistant referee in all adult games below the top division".

Regards,

Answer provided by Referee Ben Mueller

My colleagues have all brought up excellent points, but I would like to add something. USSF allows for a referee to be a grade 7 at the min age of 17. Now, to be a grade 7 referee...you must get assessed on at least a U17 match or older. This means that USSF believes that a referee could indeed be as old as the players and referee a quality game. Once a referee is a level 7, they can then work adult games and thus a 17 year old level 7 would be working games whenj the players are much older. This echos Ref Maloneys point that age is nothing compared to experience and quality of officiating.