Question Number: 25811

League Specific 12/4/2011

RE: Under 15

Ms D Phipps of coventry, Englans asks...

My Son had a U14's game today away and the ref was the father of the goalkeeper on the home side. Is this allowed? As our team was not aware until he started call ing the kids by their 1st names.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi
It is not advisable for a someone associated with a team to officiate in games involving that team. However there is nothing in the rules of a competition to prevent this and games are allocated by a match assignor who may be aware of this.
Even if the referee is impeccable in his decision making the opponents may suggest that the referee was biased, when there is none.
I might add that it is always better that the game is played with an official referee rather than not being played at all.

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

Perhaps the only way this game could be played is if the father took to the field. Else it would have had to be rescheduled for lack of a ref.

While refs should not be assigned to games where they have family members playing, it is much better that a relative who is a referee takes the game rather than someone who does not know the Laws.

I've had to fill in for my kids games from time to time. I sometimes think it's a disservice to them. There's a natural inclination to go overboard proving you're not biased by making calls that favor the opponents instead. And one time one of the girls gleefully exclaimed, 'Coach Gary is going to ref!' I said yes, but remember, I know how you play. Oh, Allison realized I'd be watching her for high elbows, which she has a tendency towards.