Question Number: 24661

Law 5 - The Referee 3/6/2011

RE: Rec Under 15

Doug of Oakland, CA USA asks...

This question is a follow up to question 24603

Hello Refs! You did not comment on what to do about coaches complaining in advance about the teams. 'Prior to the start of GU14 game the coach of Team A came to me and explained that Team B uses a tactic that he thought was unfair or illegal'.
If a coach wanted to tell me about their teams's trick corner kick, I would interrupt them, and say I did not want to hear it, except in front of the other coach.
How about this kind of concern (and advice) about the upcoming game, from the coach to the ref? Ok to listen?
Thanks much. /Doug

Answer provided by Referee Jason Wright

Hello Doug!

A referee can lose control of the match before the game has even started in the manner he deals with potential problems.

Coaches and players want to know that referees are there for the safety of their players and to ensure the match is played fairly. I have absolutely no problem with a coach or player coming to me with a concern before the match. All I do is listen to them and offer to keep my eye on it. Player/coach is satisfied that I'm going to keep my eye on things and that he's had his concerns heard, and now I've developed a rapport with that person before the game has even started, which gives me a headstart on controlling the match.

I don't actually have to change anything about how I referee in order to do this; almost everytime when somebody raises a concern with me I tell them to keep an eye on it and nothing comes of the concern anyway. But hey, perhaps the player's complaint is legitimate? Perhaps the other team really does like to push players behind the referee's back, or dig their elbows in? In which case, is there really any harm in the team raising that concern with the referee?

I believe that entertaining the concern shows respect for the other person, whereas adopting a 'not interested' approach can potentially paint yourself in a poor light and lose you respect.

I simply don't believe in the approach that some officials take of refusing to talk to officials/players. I believe this approach has far more to lose than it has to gain (of course, it depends how we're approached).

When faced with these concerns I'll offer a sympathetic ear, but won't promise anything more than 'I'll keep an eye out for it'. Nothing is really promised, you're not offering special treatment, you're not changing how you referee but the player/coach feels that his concerns are being looked after, and you have his respect. Everybody wins!

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

Like Ref Wright, I will listen to the coach's litany, as long as he doesn't go on and on. Then I'll say that I'll look for it, but of course it will be my interpretation as to whether fouls happen or not.

I've sometimes found that when a coach says, 'You have to watch this other team, they push' it's the coach's own players that are doing most of the pushing. Perhaps the comments were meant to distract you from watching his team as closely? We can't tell, so nothing is to be done about it but call fouls both ways as they happen.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Doug
I see no issue in listening to a coach and indeed if he is wrong in law I will offer him the correct information. Most times nothing comes to pass about the comments so rather than saying that I will not listen, which can create the wrong atmosphere, I will simply hear what he has to say. Indeed players will come to me to tell me about off the ball situations, unheard comments and I always tell them that I will keep an eye out for it rather than dismissing them out of hand.

Answer provided by Referee Michelle Maloney

'If, in my opinion, the tactic is unfair or illegal I will call it.' That is all the information the coach needs besides the 'I'll keep an eye out.'

Like my colleagues, I would caution against not listening. You are not required to act on anything you hear nor to answer for your opinion on whether something is or is not legal. Don't make trouble where none exists!