Question Number: 20283

Law 5 - The Referee 10/17/2008

RE: Recreation Under 10

Alan Butler of Belton, Texas United States of America asks...

This question is a follow up to question 20258

On the referees responsibility for keeping control of the game and the words and/or actions of the players, coaches, and parents/spectators... If there is inappropriate language or accusations by any of these persons, is the referee limited to only dismissing the violator(s) for that game? Or, can he/she send them off and be able to keep them off for future games, etc...?

I must admit that although I played for years growing up, I have been learning a ton of stuff every week as I coach my daughter's team each season. I have been very happy, even proad to see the referee stand up and take control despite any protests by coaches, parents, and especially players!

Thank you for your site. It will be very valuable to me.

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

The referee has control of the players and coaches. He does not have direct control of spectators other than the authority to stop play if one runs onto the field, or otherwise disrupts the game. At youth soccer, the coach is supposed to control his parents. The referee has the authority to tell a coach to have a parent leave and not restart the game until said parent is gone. The referee may also write in his report what happened and who the parent was. The report can go to the proper authorities and they can decide what next to do. Rarely will a parent refuse to leave as the other parents will insist on it. Rarely, local police may be called if the behaviour warrants it. In that case, the game is probably already terminated and it's up to the police and court system to decide what to do next.

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

When a referee sends off a player or dismisses a coach, a report is made to the proper authorities for that game - the league, tournament committee, State Association, etc. FIFA has said that any send-off will result in at least a one-match ban. The governing authorities may impose additional sanctions, including up to lifetime bans from the game. The referee undoubtably knows that the player must be suspended, and is stating that fact. He is not imposing any additional penalties himself, but knows what the league will do.

Answer provided by Referee Michelle Maloney

The referee can only deal with what the referee team sees or hears, and can only deal with what is happening in the game at hand.

Dealing with coaches and players/subs/subbed players is within the referee's stated authority. Dealing with fans and spectators is generally the responsibility of the coach and or league who contracts with the fields and the referees. Referees can help coaches deal with fans, and some referees are good at dealing with fans, but they are not required to do so.

As my colleagues note, the referee report on the game is the referee's only chance to have an effect on any other games. We have no authority to ban anyone from future games. That authority rests solely with the competition authorities.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Hi Alan,
my colleagues have answered the question pretty well, I will only add this! One can withdraw his or her services from leagues that do not do what is required or choose to become more involved to effect those needed changes. Of the few things that cannot be taught to a referee such as integrity and a backbone only self respect is a gift to your self as it cannot be taken, it must be given away and once that occurs extremely difficult to retrieve it. It accounts for most of the anxiety we see in people as the underlying cause of confrontation is the inability to separate what's wrong to do what's right knowing what it is but ashamed or scared to do so.
Cheers