Question Number: 24865

Law 5 - The Referee 4/29/2011

RE: rec Under 17

mike of arlington, tx usa asks...

if a grade 9 is the side for an under 16 game, because the original referee could not ref the game. could the referee head association take his badge away for refereeing a game above his grade?

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

Grade 9 referees are allowed to ref games only up through U14. While it is unlikely, a referee could lose his badge for doing an older game, but that would be the State Referee Administrator's decision, not a referee association. However, the referee might not be assigned any more games by the assignor for the local association.

If a referee does not show up for a game, a replacement would need to be recruited from those who are at the game. This person would only act as an unpaid 'club line' though, not as a neutral assistant referee. A club line only calls ball out of play. If the grade 9 ref acted as a club line only, there should not be an issue.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Mike
Referees should only referee games to which they are assigned and that are appropriate to their certification.
There are risks about stepping outside of the assignment protocols including insurance. Should anything untoward happen such as a serious injury questions would be asked about the standing of the referee.

Answer provided by Referee Michelle Maloney

Absolutely not - the only entity that can remove the badge is the state association, after consultation with USSF. Removal for doing a game above one's grade level would be ridiculously petty.

There is no reason why a Grade 9 ref should have ever been put into this situation to begin with - the assignor is the one at fault. If the Grade 9 stepped up to fill in a line, they would have been operating as a club line only.

If the Grade 9 is being threatened by the referee head association, whatever that is, with badge removal, the Grade 9 referee needs to get in touch with the State Referee Administrator for Texas North (which is where Arlington is located) and ask for their help.

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

No. Only your State Association could do this and only after consultation with the USSF. I cannot imagine someone losing their badge for working a game above their grade. As Ref Maloney says, that would be ridiculously petty.

A Grade 9 should not be assigned a U16 line. If he/she shows up to work a U16 game he should act as a club linesman but if he does work as an AR he probably is simply aiding the referee and shouldn't be punished for it.