Question Number: 21438

League Specific 5/31/2009

RE: Travel Under 16

Bill of Mclean, VA USA asks...

Our team was recently forced to play a game against a club whose fields were closed at a closed field (this is the statement from the club's website)because they were not available the following weekend:
'Saturday May 30th - All grass fields are CLOSED today and all games have been cancelled. SFL games on Braddock Park #7 will be played as scheduled.
Heavy rains yesterday have left the fields unplayable this morning. Playing on these fields may result in injury to the players and damage to the fields. The U-14 tournament will be rescheduled.'

In addition, since the refs assumed the fields were closed, there was no ref. We had to wait 40 minutes for 1 ref and 2 parents had to stand in as ARs. This was a game with 1st place on the line.

Do we have grounds for a protest?

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

This is an issue for the local league to resolve. I know that in my area, if the field is closed, the field is closed and no one should play. In fact, the City has stated that playing on a closed park field could result in the loss of field priveleges in the future.

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

Why were you playing a game on a closed field? No referee should be expected to show up as I'm certain they checked field conditions by phone or internet and stayed home. Around here, if anyone plays on a closed field they lose privileges. What exactly do you want to protest?

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

If the field is closed then it is closed!
Yet they seem to give ok for an exception
(SFL games on Braddock Park #7 will be played as scheduled.)
Thus the match is on and the referee who is in charge of those games SHOULD KNOW THIS!
If the league has sanctioned it is OK for the match then the referee when he arrives makes HIS decision whether or not to play as HIS decision is the final one for the day as to whether it is safe or not!.
League protocol as to delays and rearranging schedules or providing officials should be in the bylaws and those should be applied to the situation. This is now a league matter that only the league can resolve!
Cheers