Question Number: 24624

League Specific 2/27/2011

RE: Rec Under 17

Derrik Parker of Ellwood City, PA USA asks...

Am I able to referee for my local club and other clubs around me?

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Derrik
Unless you are connected to the club then is there is no reason to be excluded from officiating local games. If a referee is 'connected' with a club there can be a conflict of interest and it is not a good idea to officate those games. The match assignor will be aware of that when assigning games.

Answer provided by Referee Michelle Maloney

Yes. But there is a caveat. If any of your family plays for a team you should not be involved as an official in such a game as it is a conflict of interest no matter whether it is played at your home field or away.

Referees who work exclusively for their own 'local club' are often viewed by visiting clubs as a 'homer' or referee who always favors the home team. It is more often than not an unfair accusation but a referee should be aware of the ethical issues and conflict of interest issues when accepting games.

Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

It is common for teenagers to referee matches for their club and tournaments. Your assignor likely knows which team you play for to make sure you are not assigned to any matches in the division in which you play. Let the assignor know when you change teams/clubs.

The assignor, however, might not know if a member of your family plays or coaches another team for the same or different club. Please inform them. That permits the assignor to determine where ethically to assign you based on the level of play, the nature of the competition, and the history between the clubs/teams.