Question Number: 22146

Character, Attitude and Control 10/3/2009

RE: AYSO Under 15

Sandra Dixon of Sterling Heights, MI USA asks...

The pre-game talk by the referee consisting of him yelling at the 12 year old girls saying 'I will give you a yellow card if you have a hair scrunchie on your uniform, it is a pet peeve of mine' also one of the girls fell down and as she was getting (as quickly as she could) he SCREAMED at her 'you better get up I am not stopping this play' The 12 year didn't expect him to stop the play however she was shaken up (as well as the other team mates) by the strange man yelling at her.
My question is: Is wearing a scrunchie on an oversized shirt a yellow card offense?

Also are the referee's allowed to yell at 12 year old girls to 'get up'?

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Sandra
A scrunchie without any metal or beads is fine and in my opinion that is not dangerous. However the final decision always rests with the referee as to what is allowed.
As regards the comment by the referee I am most disappointed. In Europe all referees undergo Child Protection training and what has been described here would not be acceptable CP behaviour and if it was reported then the referee would have to explain his /her behaviour and would find themselves in 'hot water'. In my opinion it is not acceptable and a referee should not shout at any player not least a 12 year old girl. I agree with Referee Maloney that this referee's behaviour should be reported

Answer provided by Referee Michelle Maloney

Do everyone a favor and get in touch with the referee assignor for this league and tell them what you told us, and ask them to visit with the referee about his demeanor around youth players.

He's not necessarily wrong (perhaps wrong-headed), but definitely is not projecting a professional, calm, in control demeanor.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Referees as individuals have character quirks some good some unfortunately bad. Whether a referee is inexperienced and uncertain to do advanced matches and gets tossed in above his pay grade it does not compare to a lack of compassion and character shortfalls that make even knowledgeable officials poor candidates for youth matches. The issue is these matches rarely hold their interest level and those referees that are simply mini tyrants make a match an ordeal instead of a fun experience. It is why training and mentoring and evaluation and monitoring are require tracking the irregularities and hopeful get them fixed. Good assignors get to know who not to and who best suits the needs of the players and temperament of the matches but as I often point out a referee is a MATCH condition which the players must adapt to same as the wind or rain, or a slippery or bumpy pitch.
I know that a scrunchie is a hair piece for a ponytail trying to understand what use it has on the uniform holding aspect? If I thought it somehow unsafe simply ask it be removed. No referee shoud threaten young players with cards as a weapon!
Referees who needlessly yell do themselves, their colleagues, the players, the game a disservice. Once in a while a loud verbal butt chewing even at the youth level to make a point but not in the manner or purpose you describe could ever be a good way to deal with the youth!

Maybe the referee was stressed out by all the complaining touchline babble, needs a massage and a spa day! ;o) As my colleagues point out a word to those in charge about the attituded displayed is required to effect any change here!
Cheers