Question Number: 25580

League Specific 10/10/2011

RE: travel soccer team Under 9

karen of middletown, New York USA asks...

My son is on a travel soccer team. We were in a tournament yesterday. I was wondering if there is a rule about blowing a horn. The other team was blowing a horn every time they scored and got the ball away from us. It was very loud and to be disrespectful.
Also they were palying very dirty and the ref seemed to call us on the plays but not them. Please advise
Thank You

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

Did you happen to watch the World Cup from South Africa? There were thousands of horns (vuvuzelas) sounding continuously. Unless there is a league rule prohibiting noisemakers, it should be allowed.

Regarding 'very dirty play', that is in the eye of the beholder. Evidently the referee didn't see it the same way as you did. Without any specifics and not being there, we can't tell.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Karen
There is nothing in the Laws to prevent 'supporters' for making noise and showing support for their team. Unless there is a stadium ban on such items there is nothing the referee can do.
As regards the view that the referee seemed biased in favour of one team that is always subjective. I suspect that if I asked the 'home' team they may be of the view that the referee was biased against them.

Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

Many leagues adopt local rules about horns and mechanical devices. It is not covered in the laws of the game.

What seems "clear" from the sideline about who fouled whom is often very differently viewed by the referee who has a different angle of view and is closer to play.

Moreover, at tournaments, when the skill level of the referee goes up, it usually results in fewer calls! Good referees only stop play when the foul affects play - - a hold that causes one team to stumble gets called; a hold that the other team can play through does not get called. It helps the players develop far quicker than stopping play for everything that could be called.

The following questions were asked as a follow up to the above question...

See Question: 26492