Question Number: 25556

Other 10/5/2011

RE: Varsity High School

Melissa of Oakland, CA USA asks...

This question is a follow up to question 25523

Thank you for the answer to my question; to follow up, this referee actually schedules himself to be the CR at ALL of the home games of this particular team, when there is a large pool of referees to assign. Our concern is that there is some favoritism there, and no other team in this league is able to do that, the rest of us have to take whatever referee is assigned. What is the best way to approach this, clearly it is unfair and we certainly want to make sure the next match between our teams is called fairly by someone who is impartial. Thoughts?

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

He may be impartial but it doesn't look good. The referee assignor answers to the Board. I doubt the Board will look favorably on his assigning himself to all this team's home games. You can even take it to the State level as it's clearly inappropriate.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Melissa
It is never a good position to be in when a referee as an assignor has his impartiality questioned. It may be impeccable and more than likely it is yet it does raise the question.
It is for this very reason that USSF has specifically asked that referees shall disqualify themselves where there is a vested interest.
I personally would ask the most senior person in the club to speak with the referee to outline the concerns and to hear what his view is. If that conversation fails to provide a satisfactory outcome the club/team should then raise the matter formally with the Board.

Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

If this is a high school match, the best way to resolve the concern is through your school's athletic director. It is very unusual for one referee to be assigned to all of one team's home matches. While the referee in fact may be fair and neutral, it gives a different appearance to visitors.