Question Number: 19877

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 9/4/2008

RE: Competitive High School

Andrea Kebort of Conneaut Lake, Pa Crawsford asks...

I am asking my question in the shoes of the coaches wife and also the mother of a player on the team. Whose responsibility is it to eject an abusive unruly fan/parent from a high school soccer game? Apparently one of players parents was running at the mouth for most of the game and I am told that he called the referee a M.... F'er! I did not hear or see any of this for myself as I was sitting on the opposite end of the field. Then, apparently he approached the referee after the game and mimicked a threatening physical motion toward the same referee. After much to do, the fan eventually left the game, but the game was halted for approx. five to 10 mintues. I am reading that referees have no authority over fans until they step foot on the field. Is it then up to the coaching staff to eject the parent? how sad for the coach and what a huge burden that is! The coaching staff should be focused on coaching the game, not the mouthy spectators! Obviously physical threats and verbal threats if left unchecked, can escalate to the point where the police must be involved. I am now hearing that the referee filed a PIAA complaint and that this parent will be banned from future games. What if he shows up anyway? Who is to tell him to leave? Can you give me a guideline to the proper protocol on this subject? Thank you.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

A referee is responsible for the safety of the match and its participants which includes, himself his ARs, his 4th the players the coaches all who are within the technical area such as training or medical staff etc. A referee has no legal jurisdiction over fans. However, a referee can in the BEST interest of the match find the fan a danger or a threat to the match even before the fan steps onto the pitch and suspend the match until the fan either stops is removed or leaves.

While we as referee could tell the coach and the respective teams this match will not continue as long as THAT is present. At issue is the other fans , coach or team while they COULD choose to effect some pressure to ask this idiot to shut up CONTROVERSY makes people very uncomfortable. The possibility of exchanging hostile words could lead physical violence and that is scary and upsetting. It would be great if security were present to deal with such things but at the recreational level on a public field doubtful.
Still ALL who find this conduct reprehensible as a group if they stick together an isolated individual being a jerk could be made to feel the weigh of guilt and repentance only if it is within him or her to begin with.
This again is why I encourage preseason, midseason and post season reviews, where of ALL participants players, parents coaches referees etc?come together to meet, effectively setting standards and procedures in place to deal with things in a professional manner.,

A referee is authorized to ask the coach from the team of the fan/parent to ask the fan to please refrain from such conduct or remove themselves from the venue and no longer affect the match! The coach if unable to effectively quell the trouble then phones the police/security or if the coach refuses to act the referee will abandon the match and record the particulars. I note you mention the referee filed a PIAA complaint?

I suggest that CODES of conduct for the parents be part of the condition to their son or daughter being allowed to play and their conduct be reasonable or face fines or banishment. In one league a parent, if suspended from attending matches shows up, their kids are not allowed to play. While legal action can be used to enforce a person to be restricted from a public venue such restraining orders are only in the darkest of situations. Anger management and counseling is likely effective rehabilitation it is either that or a swift kick in the ass for being a pathetic goof!
Cheers

Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

From the HFHS Coaches Code of Ethics on page 99 of the High School Soccer Rules.

Quote

The coach shall exert his or her influence to enhance sportsmanship by spectators, both directly and by working closely with cheerleaders, pep club sponsors, booster clubs, and administrators.

End Quote.

The first line of defense is the coach!! Second in line is the school administrator who must be at the game to ensure the safety of his students. Third is everyone else who observes this behavior, EVERYONE ELSE.

When the referee must stop the game to deal with the danger or improper behavior in front of the students it has already gone too far. In your case the person was guilty of assault on a sports official and should have been arrested. Had it have been on one of my games he would have been.

Because ALL parents there allowed the behavior they condoned it, shame, shame, shame...