Question Number: 27933

Law 5 - The Referee 10/24/2013

RE: 8 Under 19

Paul of Barstow, CA USA asks...

our league requires that referees keep the clock running no matter what occurs during a game. Reason is that we are limited to playing fields and must complete a game before the next game is to start. Therefore coaches take advantage of this and are always asking for subs or when free substitutions are not allowed 14 and under they ask to change goalies from players already on the field. So my question has to do with PK's. As a referee am I required to let a coach interchange goalies during the course of a PK? From a player who has been in the game playing another position? Thank you. Also how about these same coaches walking unto the field during half time to tell you how bad of a referee you are?

Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

1. Absent a local rule, the referee has no power to deny a team changing goalkeeper with a field player at any stoppage in play - - including at a penalty kick.

2. When you believe substitutions/changes are part of a tactic to delay unfairly the match, however, you should include the facts in your match report so that the league can address the problem.

3. Coaches who dissent at halftime should be warned. If their language is inappropriate, they should be dismissed. There is no right to give their opinion during half-time. The times that the referee should listen to a coach, IMO, is when they are concerned for the safety of the players - - not when they disagree with your decisions.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Paul
Once the League decrees that the time is not added on for normal lost time then that is what the referee has to do. Simply look on the substitutions / change as time that is part of the game. What you can do is ensure that the substitution process is done speedily which is ensuring that the player leaves smartly and that the incoming substitute is ready to enter. Excessive delays can be managed through the threat/use of cautions.
The change of goalkeeper at a penalty kick that has to be allowed. Again just ensure that the change is done quickly and that there is no excessive delay that is clearly premeditated with the intention of wasting large amounts of playing time. Again players can be hustled to ensure it is done smartly. Clearly if there is repeated cynical changing of the goalkeeper the referee has to manage that as best he can. It require strong officiating.
As regards the coach that enters the field of play to berate the referee about his handling of the game should not be tolerated. The moment the coach begins to complain just stop him and tell him to please desist and move away. Remind him that the referee has the authority to remove him from the game. The referee could say something like ' Coach please stop this. Your comments are unwelcome. Please return to your technical area/ move to your team area. If you persist with this behaviour I will be forced to remove you from the game'. Remember this is being done to 'influence' your decision making in the 2nd half and to gain an advantage. Sometimes it can be to let off some steam about a decision such as a penalty. That is usually a one way conversation and depending on what is said can be ignored or responded to by "Okay I hear you. That's your opinion" and move away.
Do your best to make that engagement as difficult as possible such as being as far away from coaches at the interval and perhaps to wait away from the players / coaches as they move to the changing rooms or technical area.

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

When league or tournament rules take away the referee's ability to adjust time fairly, you can't be surprised when there are some coaches take advantage of that and waste time with impunity.

You can either live with it, or try to convince the league to change the rule.

What you can't do is modify some other part of the game to try and 'restore fairness'. You can't limit a team's right to call for substitutes or goalkeeper changes when those requests are properly made.

Answer provided by Referee Jason Wright

Hi Paul,

I used to referee in an area which had the same explicit instruction - even for most mens grades!

Even when such a directive is in place, you can't control substitutions. Especially at a PK you need to allow them to swap.

It may not be a delaying tactic - in the juniors in particular, teams sometimes swap in a particular player to defend against a PK. They may have a player who's better at stopping these shots than the normal keeper. As a referee you don't have the right to deny them that - doing so could potentially pave the way for complaints, even a protest against the result.

There are a few ways we can manage substitutions in these situations - but I generally find that not too many teams seem to deliberately run down the clock. I tend to become very deaf in the last minute or two though (unless it's the last bit of play before Kicks From the Penalty Mark)....

While some teams make a lot of subs, they generally do this for the players - and typically do it fairly consistently throughout the match.

In regards to coaches that approach you at halftime to criticise you - if their comments completely cross the line into abusive territory then bear in mind you can ensure they are not in the dugouts at the 2nd half. If it's not at that level, then my colleagues have provided advice on how to warn the coach - and should he persist after play resumes (or continue to berate you after being warned)...well, he's had his warning, hasn't he? He can watch the rest of the match from the carpark.