Question Number: 24396

Law 5 - The Referee 12/2/2010

RE: Rec, Under 15

Loren Stanton of Ketchikan, Alaska USA asks...

You make the call- Please

I am a referee and a coach.

It is the second half of the game. Grey is ahead and a stronger team. Both coaches send a player to the center line to be subbed in. Both are good male players.

The Grey player says 'we are going to beat you' to the other player from the team that is losing. What is the call? Is this unsporting behavior? Is this taunting? Nothing, Yellow, or Red?

Part 2. The referees do not hear the comment. They are running a dual system and are at the ends of the field. The coach says, 'Do not talk to my player like that.'

What is the call? Should coaches let comments like these go when the referee is not there? What is our responsibility as adults and as coaches? Is there a call against the coach?

Is there a comment to be made about the dual system?

Answer provided by Referee Jason Wright

Some trash talking is inevitably part of the game, and it's up to the referee to determine where to draw the line based on what is said, the manner in which it's said, the age and grade of the players and the mood of the match.

Unless there's something significant I'm missing, I don't see any issue with one player saying to another 'we're going to beat you'

Once the coach intervenes, it may be time for the referee to intervene and say 'just let it go coach'. It isn't a big issue, but it looks like the coach may want to make it a bigger issue so if the referee is aware, it may be a good time to assert his or her authority. The referee can let it slide, but then there's a risk of further retaliation.

Neither player has done anything worth more than a quick 'get on with it' though.

I don't think this has anything to do with the dual system though - it's just as likely to happen with a referee and 2 assistants.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Lorna
As a referee you know it is not possible to be everywhere nor indeed to hear what is said between players, coaches, spectators etc. As I have said to players on some occasions ' I'm not Superman' when asked to deal with something that was allegedly said 50 yards away, while play was elsewhere.
Referees can only deal with what they see and hear. It is not possible to deal with something that is unseen or unheard. In this case what was wrong was that both teams were not demonstrating any sporting behaviour towards each other. If teams followed FIFA's Code of Conduct none of these situation would arise. Respect needs to be shown to opponents, team mates officials and spectators. To quote FIFA ' Fair play means respect. Without opponents there can be no game. They have the same rights that you have, including the right to be respected. Your teammates are your colleagues. You form a team in which all members are equal. Referees are there to maintain discipline and fair play. Always accept their decisions without arguing, and help them to help you enjoy the game more. Officials are also part of the game and must be respected accordingly. Spectators give the game atmosphere. They want to see the game played fairly, but must also behave fairly themselves.''
Now if I was beside the players when this exchange took place I would simply deal with it by a comment. It is not a cautionable offence. At best it is a rebuke to both sides. What I would do though is pay particular attention to the behaviour of these players on the field of play and should there be a spill over from the incident I would take sterner action.
As regards the dual system of refereeing, IMO any other system with the exception of perhaps a 4th official would make little difference to this situation. All systems have their pluses and minuses and there is nothing inherently wrong with the dual system provided the sytem is followed correctly. The dual system cannot though be used in FIFA approved games.

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

First and foremost, nothing happened since the referees didn't hear anything.
'We are going to beat you' is hardly anything to get upset about. The coach should probably not say anything in this case and in most cases.

The dual system of refereeing is forbidden by FIFA and with good reason. Were this a 3 man crew an AR would have been near the center line and been in position to deal with any situation that may arise. Watch the players when on the field but the coach by interjecting here has done no good and some potential harm. Choose your battles more wisely