Question Number: 29155

Mechanics 2/5/2015

RE: competitive Under 17

Rob of jacksonville, fl duvall asks...

A player has been cautioned, lets say for USB. What is your recommendation in dealing with a player who refuses to acknowledge the referee is trying to book him, e.g.,walks away with back turned?

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Rob
My advice is to hit the whistle and ask the player politely to return. The game does not restart until that happens and that puts pressure on the player to acknowledge the referee.
Sometimes it can be a bit of a stand off and the referee holds most of the cards (no pun) in that the game is under his control and if the player is really stubborn about it he runs the risk of a further caution for dissent which is then a dismissal.
Sometimes to take the heat out of the situation I will meet the player half way by moving forward rather than demanding the player comes all the way. It can sometimes be a battle of wills however I'm never too bothered about winning that battle as long as the player knows he is cautioned and that a repeat will result in a dismissal.
Have a look at this video and consider the referees position here.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9vVc7lrLZug
He would have been IMO much better to have walked after the player and dealt with it. As it turned out the referees authority was questioned as the player plainly ignored his request.
I had a situation recently where a youth player walked away from an incident and I asked him to return which he ignored. I insisted that he did return and he then took a big final step towards me which was silly. I told him to behave in a responsible manner and that he was not to come to my attention again. I was sorely tempted to caution for his childishness however I decided otherwise. He was not so fortunate on the next occasion he came to my attention.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Hi Rob,
some cautionable situations are fraught with tension, bitterness, regrets. Others are more of a formal acceptance because they are resigned to the fact the card is coming and likely accept why. Showing a yellow card to the player is a ceremony of sorts but the caution itself is a behavioural indictment that the actions must not be continued.

Most players realize their actions have consequences, others not so much. For any number of reasons, players will take issue with decisions a referee makes. It behooves them to agree to disagree as added theatrics create additional problems but the character of an individual does not always allow for a humble exit.

Also no referee is immune from a missed decision or error. We often award a caution to a player seeking a little payback for an earlier unregistered incident. A player sulking at the proverbial unfairness of life is not concerned that you as a neutral impartial witness are only doing your job. Mad is mad, they SPECIFICALLY made high school soccer adopt a ten minute time out for the very reason of deescalating tensions and anxiety after cautioning and showing a yellow card.

We do try NOT to make this a power struggle but it is definitely a major factor in match control. We do hate to punish the whole team for 1 players obtuse insistence in acting irresponsible. Although we possess the authority to dismiss most of us prefer to retain the players on the pitch, just not at the expense of appearing weak or foolish.

While our egos are battle tested and thick skinned to withstand most irritations with a degree of NO BIG DEAL! Players who push for that battle of wills are rolling some extra dice to come up snake eyes. Try to stay calm. Endeavour to be polite but firm. Go ahead meet a player halfway by walking onto his line of vision or take a path of intersection. We get that our decision upsets their possible decisions. We are not trying to make life difficult for a player by showing a card only responding to what we saw them do. It resulted in our taking appropriate action so, hopefully, we will not see him do it again.


Your character and confidence level permits your OWN style of interaction. It is difficult to advise based on my talkative personality. Suffice to say be wary of allowing a player to take took much of the R of respect. You will be cross , irritated and baited by certain individuals. They will look for flaws and exploit them if you are not confident and upbeat about what YOU NEED to do. Each situation will be a new experience. One can enforce the LOTG, abide by the spirit and still cut a wry grin if we remember a person is ultimately responsible and is to be held accountable for their actions even if they disagree!

You can go the strong sentinel type, whistle, a come hither hand wave if you catch eye contact but if the player is ignoring you and walking away only you will know whether you are prepared to eat some dissent pie in getting a response YOU can endure!

Whistle and request the player acknowledge! ",15 Blue we need to talk to restart !"
It is most unwise to run/stay away! It could be... unfortunate... to have to dismiss you instead of dealing with this now? You really want to go that route?? I much rather we just talk a moment and get back to playing.
Thank you, 15 Blue your name is?, aka J smith, you are being booked for ...reason.. please take care for the rest of the match. .You are a good player. Lets work on staying on the pitch for now, ok?

I realize that the good guy approach is not a sure fire way to get an appropriate response or result. Indeed sometime we rip a blister pack off his backside for the crap he just pulled and in a much more serious if not always dignified tone. YOU! HERE! NOW! That was utter rubbish! Unless you are itching for the red, drop the attitude and get this booking over with! STAYING OFF my radar for now on would be in yours and especially your TEAM's best interest! Playing with ten only is difficult. I get you do not like it This is what it is! ...you really want to go?.... where it only can get worse?
You want to explore the decision after a beer later be glad to! NOT here! NOT now!


Cheers

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

I've heard one ref said, 'Number 7, you're getting a card, but I haven't decided what color yet.' I don't know how that worked for him.