Question Number: 21996

9/17/2009

RE: Rec, select, NFHS Under 14

Joe Griego of Bishop, CA USA asks...

This question is a follow up to question 21973

While I agree with the proper approach suggested by the panel of distinguished referees on dealing with a 'mother bear' coach, I just wanted to point out one error in the original question.

That error is that AYSO does NOT allow showing of cards to coaches. AYSO is a member of USSF, and we follow FIFA law, with exceptions made for small sided games, with adjustments made for smaller numbers of players and smaller field sizes.

AYSO's law book (which is exactly the same as the FIFA law book, except for small windows where it shows differences in field sizes and player numbers for small-sided games) *clearly* recommends dismissal of coaches from the playing area, but in NO AYSO DOCUMENTATION does it allow the showing of cards of any kind to coaches, spectators, or anyone other non-players.

John Ouellette, the AYSO National Coach trainer would have a hissy if he heard that an AYSO coach was shown a card - that's an NFHS abomination, not FIFA! ...hehe.

Joe G.
Bishop, CA

Answer provided by Referee Michelle Maloney

Many of the youth leagues who follow the FIFA LOTG do deviate and allow cards for coaches under their local rules. There was no reason to think AYSO local affiliations didn't do something similar.

Because of this, we or at least I did not mention the LOTG don't allow for cards to anyone other than players, substitutes or substituted players. I assumed that because he issued the card, the league allowed/sanctioned such response.

Just goes to show you what happens when one ass-umes anything!

In a USSF/FIFA/AYSO game that does not have local rules allowing cards to be shown to coaches, the referee must either warn or dismiss a coach. No cards are shown, but it does go in the referee's report. A coach who is dismissed and who refuses to leave will find the game has been terminated on account of their behavior.

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

Thank you for pointing this out. I should get an AYSO rule book