Question Number: 22866

Character, Attitude and Control 2/25/2010

RE: Select Adult

Broward of Yokosuka, Japan asks...

I both coach and play in our various base leagues here in Japan, and our selection of officials is exceptionally thin. While we have several qualified officials, there are several who have no idea what they are doing on a pitch, and are always followed by controversy. Several are not very well versed, or just don't care to know, about the most basic of rules. Offsides, throw-ins (hint, you can't chest-pass the ball to a team mate like a basketball bounce pass!), and restarts. It also doesn't help that many of these lesser officials are also the parents of other lesser officials, and at times even officiate a match together. When this happens, you can imagine the calamity that ensues when both sides spend more time asking each other what is going on as the officials stare blankly about like that kid in right field in 3rd grade. Anyway, my question is, what should a coach do when the incompetence of these officials leads to the game getting out of hand and people start getting hurt? We have had several incidents of two-footed, studs shown tackles where the recipient was lucky enough to not have a fully planted cleat at the time, and in both of those incidents the official waved play on stating that 'both players were going for the ball.' I can say after speaking with numerous coaches in this particular league that more than half of them don't feel comfortable playing when several officials are doing the game, worrying about the safety of their players. Is there anything we can do? Oh, this may be important also...the head of officials is married to one of the worst officials, and his assistant is another of the terrible ones, as well as being the father of an absolutely horrible assistant. I apologize for my length, but I wanted to fully express that I understand the difficult nature of the position, but certain officials, who are not qualified to officiate, can cause undue damage to players by their incompetence.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Broward
The question I ask is 'Whose game is it'. While I know that the referee's role encompasses all elements of the game including sanctions and match control I believe that teams have a responsibility to themselves to play the game in the manner and spirit that is required for a fair competitive game. It is the players' game no one elses.
As a young boy we played many games without referees because they were ,to use your term, 'thin' on the ground. As a result many decision were made by consensus and certainly nothing of a nasty nature was 'tolerated' and there was an understanding that it could not be any other way. The game was played for the sake of the game.
If the situation exist as you describe then it is the same for all clubs and teams are not showing respect for each other and they are not playing the game as intended. Referees do not commit the serious foul play challenges, nor do they go out to allow the game to decend into unpleasantness. Even if errors of judgement are made on technical matters that is just part of the conditions of the game. Same as a muddy pitch. It is something to deal with.
My advice is to agree an understanding with opponents that the game will be played according to the principles espoused in FIFA's Fair Play programme.
If I felt that the game had decended into a situation where there is loss of control and real danger of serious injury then I would simply walk away. Would I rather risk a serious injury to a player than loses 3 points or a win?

Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

The short answer: talk with the league officials and they will talk with the assignors about training and mentoring the sub-par referees.

The longer answer: more and better referees are needed everywhere. Those who have played the game make terrific referees, but players have experienced how much abuse referees take from parents and coaches and the younger levels and players at the older levels. Why would they want that?

Just as it takes time to develop as a player, it takes time to develop into a good referee. They will make mistakes for several years; the good ones won't make the same mistakes, and as their experience increases, they are able to handle the speed and skill of high levels of play. When they make mistakes, parents and coaches get upset; but far too many referees quit because of the abuse and never develop. They are replaced by new referees, and the circle continues.

This means that the younger players always will get the least experienced referees. Younger players seem to handle this much better than their parents; the kids just want to play. To break the circle, we need to reduce the parent's notion that the game is a ticket to college, and enforce the notion that the skills come from playing something that is fun. We need to encourage players to become referees. Referees who are fit and understand the game make it more enjoyable for all.

The other option is no tournaments, and no competitive leagues for those under 14 so that the supply of experienced referees meets the demand. I can't imagine parents, coaches, referees or league administrators choosing that option.

Answer provided by Referee Michelle Maloney

Well, as the saying goes, you can either be part of the problem or part of the solution. If there aren't enough officials, qualified or otherwise, then organize an effort to get players to be certified or trained as referees, and have them mentored by the ones the group of coaches consider to be qualified to call games at the level at which the teams play in your league.

It sounds like this is taking place at a military base, which is a whole different set of command problems. I'm sure the military and the civilians who work for them have a chain of command to follow when dealing with such issues. Go there.

Seriously, though, I think your best bet is to engage more officials in the game by promoting players to become referees - who knows - they might even learn more about the game than they thought possible!