Question Number: 26394

Law 5 - The Referee 5/28/2012

RE: Rec Under 16

Larry of Newburgh, New York United States asks...

Recently I officiated a game in which I made a point to tell both teams during the pregame check-in that I have 0 tolerance for cursing.
I ended up having to give 3 cautions between both teams because of cursing. Seems once I started I had no choice but to continue. The teams would say 'Ref did you hear the cursing?' Of course I only cautioned those that I personally heard. Was there a better way to go about this?

Answer provided by Referee Jason Wright

Hi Larry,

As you found, you backed yourself into a corner before the match had even started. This can occur when referees talk about the hard line not just on cursing, but elbows, shirt pulling etc. If you start talking like that then you need to follow it up, otherwise you lose credibility - but then you find that you've lost your discretion, so you lose credibility anyway.

The better way to go about it is simply not say anything about it at all before the match. If players start making comments, then deal with it when it happens, taking into account the incident, situation and the overall match.

The laws of the game no longer require referees to come down hard on swearing. It seems to be part of everyday language now, so the referees should take into consideration the nature of the language and whether it's directed at anybody.

A player swearing because he missed an easy shot is understandable - and at worst, could be managed with just a quiet 'just watch the swearing' as he runs past. No need to make an issue out of it.

Swearing at the match officials though, is a little different. Just consider what's said, when and how, and under what circumstances - and don't stress too much over the foul language.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Larry
In the great rewrite of the Laws of the Game in 1997 the sending off offence 'uses foul or abusive language' was replaced with '' uses offensive, insulting or abusive language''
The reason was that foul language had become so common place in everyday society that the law makers probably decided that as it was not being implemented by referees there was little point in having it there to cause problems for officials.
It is now a matter for individual referees to decide if what was said is offensive, insulting or abusive and there are different tolerance levels among referees.
Now the question is whether bad language is a caution. I know many referees that do not like bad language and do caution for it. I personally don't like it but I rarely caution for it unless it is part of dissent or aggressive behaviour between players. A miss kick or shot with an expletive might only result in a word with the player telling him that there is no need for the 'bad' language and that he can still shout without it. That usually works for me.
I would advice that it is not a good idea to tell players before the match of your zero tolerance on swearing. That puts you in a position where you can end up with many cautions because as you say once you start you have to continue. The better way is to have the public word and then by all means if the player persists then use the caution.

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

The better way is to say nothing in your pre game concerning what your tolerance levels are. Once you announce to the world you have no tolerance for cursing, you are going to have to punish it every time or look foolish and perhaps unfair.

Don't paint yourself into a corner