Question Number: 28956

League Specific 11/8/2014

RE: Rec Under 14

Myrah Graham of Linden, Ca USA asks...

Are there any rules stating that a referee cannot be a referee during a game if their child is one of the players during the game?

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Myrah
There is rarely a specific rule. However referees are advised to avoid games where there is a conflict of interest. Assignors are mindful of COIs yet may have no choice due to availability of referees
So refereeing a game with a relation playing is a conflict of interest and it is never a good idea. Even if the referee is perfect in his decision making he may still be accused of bias which is never helpful. Also referees can err on the side of the opponents of his relation so that this bias accusation is not levelled against him. That rarely if ever works.
Now while it should not happen the alternative might be no game. Would it be better to have the game played with an available referee or for the players to have no game?

Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

In recreational league play, it is not unusual. No referee wants to do their own child's game. They would much rather be a dad supporting the team as a fan. But, it is often the case that the alternative is that game will not be played because there is no other referee available.

At competitive levels, however, many leagues do provide that coaches or relatives of the club or team should not be the referee.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Perceived bias or conflict of interest these type of officiating circumstances are best avoided in higher level situations. It is likely within the bylaws there may well be a clause prohibiting such circumstances.

I can attest that even in recreational matches where your children are involved there could be possible complications no matter your level of integrity if you are the coach or referee.

During one match a young player waited until play was up field then came in from behind and kicked my son in the back of the leg sending him to the deck crying and in considerable pain. Of course I was back checking and caught this incident clearly!

As a parent I was outraged, as a referee I was 100% convinced this was VC and the player needed to be sent off , as one of the four coaches I wanted to suspend the kid from the team. No matter the player's reasoning for the attack. He accused my son of kicking him and that I purposely did not call it! The resulting fall out was I was accused of threatening the player who blatantly attacked my son.

I was initially threatened by the parents and relatives of the player as they readily believed the story this player told as opposed to asking me directly first to find some truth. Some gave me the benefit of the doubt as I was well known for promoting fair play but suspicion and menacing conduct by a few still rankled for some time after. I learned a valuable lesson that those who send there kids to play soccer as a babysitting service seem to think we are responsible for the attitude and character of their precious bundle. The fact he claimed it was my fault for not sanctioning my son was disheartening as I hold myself and my own kids to a higher standard of conduct then the other players at the best of times. You will find it difficult to defend your character or honor against the false tears of a deceitful 12 year old! Still as an angry adult I no doubt did frighten him, though I would never threaten or harm him. My attitude was a mixture of contempt and disapproval and there are consequences to such actions delivered in a stern manner as I unfortunately found out!

Although this single isolated incident left a bad taste I eventually made peace of sorts! In other communities I enjoyed participating as a referee and coach with nothing remotely like this ever occurring again. A referee with integrity sees what he see. Can not worry about what anyone else THINKS they see real or imagined.

Cheers