Question Number: 20379

Character, Attitude and Control 10/27/2008

RE: Rec Under 11

David M of Corona, CA USA asks...

This question is a follow up to question 20351

I don't really have a question, but a follow up comment. I actually just had a discussion about this with a referee this past weekend. And like most of the referees that I've encountered, he saw this as a very black or white issue. I've rarely seen it not called because it's considered trifling. Actually, until I read it on your site I would have called it too. I wish there was more discussion in the rules about issues like this so new referees could learn how these things should be called. I guess it's a training issue as much as anything. Keep educating us through your site and hopefully we'll all get better.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

HI David,
20370 is the original posters follow up and we again reinforce the concept of fair play and the need to act ot not act in the interest of the game and the players. The issue on judgment calls is subject based on science of understanding what you see and the art of interpreting what you see.

A TECHNICAL violation such as a throw in or an easy foul is visually easy to spot. Referees are to be encouraged to blow the whistle but are often more afraid of a wrong decision than making a right one. The easy spot, aha I see that so does everyone, of a foot off the ground or a keeper looks to be outside his area are relished. They might not even be correct or necessary but because they think there will be no disagreement the whistle sounds.

I have had foul throws called by the billions yet flagrant fouls uncalled simply because of the experience level of the official has yet to marry the terms trifling, trivial and doubtful into a useful tool and yet can not separate the need to intervene from when he must intervene at obvious fouls.

Notice we rarely say never to a foul not being important only regulating its importance to the match itself. While a keeper's release of the ball where a DFK occurs is deemed as trifling to a CERTAIN extent there are times when it is obviously not. A doubtful or trifling offence as a match control issue at midfield does not carry over into the PK area yet ANY obvious foul we call outside the PK area must be called inside the PK area.

We try to use words to convey a sense of possibilities. It must be an active participation by the referee to extend effort and time but it is through on the field mentoring and playing the game does a young referee have a good chance of understanding and ultimately enjoying the privilege of officiating a game for the benefit of all.
Cheers

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

That's a shame. We were all taught at one point to ignore trifling breeches of the Law that do not affect the game. It would seem younger referees aren't getting the same instruction these days. I likewise have seen thousands of foul throws called by referees that won't call a foul inside the penalty area unless a bone is broken. We as referees have to always remember and respect the Spirit of the game. I think far too many American soccer referees have grown up on football where everything has to and is called no matter how trifling.