Question Number: 23014

Character, Attitude and Control 3/27/2010

RE: Select Under 19

Erik of Arlington, TX USA asks...

After a teammate knocked the ball loose in the penalty area after making a tackle, I cleared the ball towards the sidelines, far to the adjacent field. The referee made a horrible call, giving the other team a penalty kick for the tackle. My clearance may have come just after the whistle. I was paying more attention to getting to a loose ball in a dangerous area, and getting it away as quick as possible.

The referee came to me telling me to go get the ball. I told him, hell no, get it yourself. He gave me a yellow card. Why should I have to chase down a ball when its the other team's free kick? I'm not the ball boy.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Erik
The referee tried to help you here but you declined the offer. I'm sure if you had retrieved the ball that would have been the end of the matter and no caution.
For me if a player deliberately IMO kicked away the ball after a foul has been called there is no discussion about getting the ball. It is simply a yellow card for delaying the restart of play and I add on the time taken to retrieve the ball and to set up the free kick or penalty.
The player would not get the opportunity to refuse the request or to tell me that he is no a ball boy as he simply would not be asked.
If he then dissented at the decision to award the penalty he could then find himself picking up another caution for dissent and then dismissed.

Answer provided by Referee Michelle Maloney

Since it is your game, someone has to go get the ball, and the referee isn't a ball boy (or girl) either. So get off your high horse, for heaven's sake - if the game is to continue we need the ball. Like Ref McHugh, I would most likely have simply cautioned you - no request to get the ball needed. Your action delayed the restart of the game - and your response to the referee - well, you're lucky he didn't send you off.

You seem to take exception anytime the referee does something you don't like. That's not a very mature attitude, especially considering from your descriptions of the acts you expect to get away with in a game. I'm certain when your opponents do the same, you complain as well.

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

What makes you think the referee is a ball boy? 'Hell no'? Is that any way to talk to a referee? You admittedly kicked the ball farther than needed and after the whistle. Then you cop attitude with the referee. Don't be surprised when the next referee thinks a yellow is too lenient and shows you a bright shiny red one for abusive and insulting language.

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

Really? You show this disrespect to the referee and expect him to chase down the ball that you kicked away?

At the very least, this is delaying the restart of the game. Throw in dissent for you arguing with the referee as well. I'd say you were probably lucky to be finishing the game.

The following questions were asked as a follow up to the above question...

See Question: 23038