Question Number: 22765

Law 5 - The Referee 1/28/2010

RE: Select Under 17

Dave of Clarkston, WA USA asks...

Pregame briefing; Mass Confrontation

Please share what should be addressed in the referee pregame briefing with regards to mass confrontation.

Thank you

Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

The pregame should cover steps to avoid it, and what each team member must do if it occurs.

Ask assistants to talk to players. Give them permission to enter the field if there is trouble near them between two opponents. The closest assistant's focus will be on preventing a third party from joining the two. The furthest assistant will keep bench personnel at the bench.

Discuss, when mass confrontation occurs, how each team will move into a triangle surrounding the event. The furthest assistant's primary job is to observe and be ready to give the referee the number/team of everyone who must be punished for misconduct before the restart of play. They take numbers. The nearest assistant looks for physical breaks between the players and is ready to use voice and presence to prevent them from re-engaging.

Special word is helpful with young and inexperienced referees. I tell all teenagers, for example, that they should not try to separate players. They should not try to stop the fight. They should not actively engage in a brawl, lest they be punched (or -unsaid - - they start punching). Regardless of their location near the fray, I want them to stay back and take numbers.

In a few matches with known spectator issues, the referees also need to discuss an escape plan. Where should the referees meet for the safest exit? The referee bags will be placed near the exit.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi referee dave
My advice is as per the Laws of the Game and I quote
'Mass confrontation
In situations of mass confrontation, the nearest assistant referee may enter the field of play to assist the referee. The other assistant referee must also observe and record details of the incident.'

Also there will be probably one to two person/s who is at the centre of this type of incident. It may be a bad tackle or violent conduct. I try to isolate that person/s and to deal with him quickly so if it is a dismissal then show the card and get the player/s removed asap. He may know that he is going to be dismissed so he may feel like having a further go and the longer he is on the field of play the more likely that could happen. The nearest official will be involved in the group, talking to players and asking them to move away. The other official should simply observe, note numbers of player guilty of misconduct so that they can be dealt with. Also I advise the team that one should have the players in view at all times. So even discussing the incident afterwards, to decide what should be done, all three should not be involved in that together but seperately and the discussions should take place facing the players and if possible to have the TA in view.
Also on dismissals of two players it is important to view their leaving of the FOP very closely just in case of further incidents.

Answer provided by Referee Tom Stagliano

There is an excellent saying:
'The referee's Best friend is the Ball in Play'

If the ball is in play, the players are concentrating on the ball and not dissenting with the referee.

Obviously, if there is a Mass Confrontation, the ball is out of play. As the Referee, I want to deal with the issue as quickly (and correctly) as possible and then Get the ball back into Play.

Therefore, as a CR, I want my ARs to help me restore control, and then get back into position so that play can be restarted. Similarly, if I am an AR, if I am the nearest AR, I come in to assist the CR, until control seems restored, and then I back-pedal to the touchline. If I am the AR farthest away, I will enter the field part way to better take numbers, observe, or if necessary become the third person assisting in restoring control. Then, when calm starts to return, back pedal to the touchline so the CR can get the Ball back into Play.

NOTE: The AR who is along the touchline with the Benches, may need to interpose himself between the confrontation and the bench area to 'prevent' bench personnel from spilling onto the field and escalating the confrontation. In youth games where there is a clear Coach, and things are getting out of hand, I may want the Coach (no subs, just coach) to come out and assist in controlling his team's players. Sometimes multiple adults help with the teenagers. However, in an adult game I do Not want any assistance from the coaching staff, as they will invariably escalate the problem. Thus, in a youth game, as bench side AR I may allow the coach to assist us, but in an Adult game as the bench side AR, I will keep bench personnel back by the benches.

This is like a ballet. You must know when to perform and then know when to get off the stage and back to position.

In all cases, the referee and the assistant referees MUST be the calmest and most professional acting people on that field to have any hope of controlling the confrontation.

Then when things get calmer, Get the ball back into Play.