Question Number: 28583

Law 18 - Common Sense 7/8/2014

RE: Rec Under 11

Dimi of Sydney, Nsw Australia asks...

I would like to know if a coach is allowed to referee his own team while playing in and under 10 match. I found it unfair due to telling his players where to stand and where to go. I found this as a disadvantage to the other team.

Answer provided by Referee Jason Wright

Hi Dimi,

It can be a difficult situation when there is no referee appointed to the match (or sometimes one is, but falls sick on the day). As I'm sure you're aware, responsibility then falls to a volunteer from one of the clubs. Always difficult for everybody involved, for a range of reasons.

As for who can or can't referee this - that's not a matter for the laws of the game. However, your local competition rules will usually stipulate what's required in this situation.

Incidentally, the Laws of the Game do not differentiate between a uniformed, qualified referee and somebody else; the match referee is the referee. So while anybody on the day has all the powers of the referee, they also carry the duties and responsibilities. That means that both being and appearing impartial is essential. I do agree that coaching the players on the field is an unfair advantage, as the opposing team is naturally unable to do so.

The website for your football authority should have the junior competition rules (alternatively, your team manager should have a copy, or should be able to acquire one through the club). In my experience, the rules often state that the club referee cannot be a team official and must refrain from coaching or otherwise interfering with the match. If they do state this then your manager may choose to raise the issue with the football body.

It wouldn't surprise me if the coach in question is simply unaware that he's doing anything wrong, and that he probably hasn't read the rules and hasn't considered the unfairness of it.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Dimi
I recall many years ago a particular game when I coached an underage team. The referee failed to show. I agreed with the opposing coach that we would referee a half each. The alternative was to go home which certainly did not appeal to the young players. The game was played and I don't recall any issues. Had there been any I would have reminded the players of the alternative
Does it matter at Under 10 in the absence of a referee who referees the game as long as the player are safe and no risk is posed?
I think one of the challenges facing the game is that adult values are being brought to all underage games. Young players are asked to compete like adult, forced to adapt to adult rules, values.
Is winning so vitally important at this age group. Obviously the coach /referee saw it is a coaching exercise which in my opinion is also unhelpful to his team.
If I had my way I would like the underage game to go back to its roots which is playing without adults and for that matter without a referee. I wouldn't even record the scores.
For me its about enjoyment and playing the game.

Answer provided by Referee richard dawson

To be sure in a competitive setting this will not be allowed, simply not practical or as you point out not fair. However, in youth soccer matches I have no reason to think that in recreational play a coach at this level refereeing and coaching is likely due to no referee available and simply a way of getting the match played. It is often a shared responsibility of both coaches to do a half or for that matter both referee on the field together and offer coaching tips a fun recreational outing more so than a league determining outcome. Your local league or affiliation will have guidelines to follow in the event of a no show by a referee . Perhaps the result is not credited, or the score is not counted so it will have to be replayed later. or ignored altogether. U-10 let them play for fun!
Cheers