Question Number: 23113

Law 5 - The Referee 4/13/2010

RE: Competitive Adult

Dani of Albuquerque, NM United States asks...

After reading A question regarding Law 5 the referee, I remembered our youth referee who looked and acted professionally, and who dealt with our game immensely well even though he was harassed the entire game by players and fans even dealt with a violent tackle from behind with a proper red card as well as the use of Emts on our field and the suspension of said game , please give my gratitude to the necessary people in order to reward this youth referee I played on Complex field 12 at one o clock.

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

Well, I'm not exactly sure of what to respond but your thoughts are duly noted and I'm pleased you feel the young referee did a good job. that said, he should not have allowed himself to be harassed by the players. Fans (aka parents) should for the most part be ignored unless they are adversely impacting the game in some manner. Players, however, should never be allowed to harass any referee especially a youth referee. Usually players take their cue from their coach so I wonder how the coach acted. If this was a competitive adult match as you allude, I don't think a youth referee should have been on the field

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Dani
Perhaps the said referee is a reader of this site but other than that we have no means of contacting our fellow referee.
I suggest that contact the referee assignor for the competition and find out who he was, and then contact your State Referee Administrator to pass on your appreciation and favourable comments about his handling of the game.
We appreciate you taking the time to do this and other referees will be heartened by the fact that professionalism and dedication is gratefully recognised.