Question Number: 28890

Mechanics 10/22/2014

RE: Competitive Under 18

Louis of New Castle, Delaware United States asks...

I was at a hearing about a coach I reported for referee abuse that occurred AFTER the game. It was cited to me that I never technically dismissed the coach and that the referee still holds power at the end of the game to administer proper punishment.

I am fully aware that a player can be issued yellow and red cards after the game has been ended, in fact there have been several cases in which I have done so.

However, to me it feels rather arbitrary to 'dismiss' a coach and ask him to leave the field as everyone is packing up and already indeed doing so.

My course of action was to inform him that his behavior was unprofessional and disorderly, that he would be reported to the proper authorities.

What is the proper ruling on this?

How is the best way to formally handle the situation?

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Louis
Once you told the coach that his behavior was unprofessional and disorderly and that he would be reported to the proper authorities you met all that was required. That is the formal way to handle this.
Cards are never shown to technical staff (unless there is a local competition rule at underage) so all the referee can do is inform the coach.
Now it will be clearly evident during a game that a coach is dismissed when he is removed from the technical area. After the game that is not evident.
Now I have attended hearings and there are some on panels who do not understand the Laws of the Game nor the detail. I was accompanying and advising a colleague a number of years ago at an assault sending off hearing and the game had been abandoned. It was asked of my colleague why the red card was not shown?? I told the questioner that the card is for communication purposes and if a card was not shown did not mean that the incident should not be dealt with. I told him that in the circumstances a red card was not wise nor required and that anyway it was irrelevant as it was not the kernel of the issue which was the assault and the abandonment.
I was assisting another colleague at another meeting and the manager's gripe to the panel was that he was shown the red card which the panel picked up on. The manager was also a player so it was the correct approach and the panel advised accordingly. In these situations all sorts of tactics are used to discredit the referee's approach and the uniformed panel member may be influenced by that.
So really the only persons who can advise you is the hearing panel and to understand what was meant by their comment. I expect that the coach said he was never told he was *dismissed* and he was surprised when he got the letter. That is an excuse. The fact was that you told him he was being reported for his totally unacceptable behaviour which is all that is required and its up to the panel to deal with that.
Personally I would let it slide if the coach was sanctioned properly for his unacceptable behavior. If he wasn't then I would bring the matter further.

Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

Disciplinary actions involving referee assault and referee abuse are subject to different rules and procedures than other forms of misconduct. Assault and abuse involve the actual and threatened use of violence against the official. 'Referee abuse' is not the same as a dismissal for excessive dissent or the use of foul language (that form of 'abusive' behavior is reported to the league as irresponsible behavior). Referee abuse is the threat to harm the referee that would be an assault if the threat were carried out. So, the referee is not required to take another punch (or risk a first one) in explaining to the coach why he or she is dismissed.

My experience is that in most cases of assault, the referee team leaves the field and moves immediately to a safe location. No further interaction is appropriate. In case of abuse, where there are verbal threats, however, the referee should say: "you are dismissed, leave now." It tells the coach to leave and why, and most will leave. The referee usually has also said something to the effect that if you don't leave I'm calling the police (or the US emergency number 9-1-1) to get the coach to leave.

The US Soccer Federation mandates procedures to be followed in cases of referee assault/abuse. The first step is usually sending a copy of the USSF Supplemental Report to the state association (not the local league), followed by a state hearing, with a right to appeal to USSF itself. A sanction against the coach can have nationwide effect. It is a very serious matter.