Question Number: 29282

Mechanics 4/3/2015

RE: rec Other

Piney of Garland, TX USA asks...

By USSF rules, can a referee Send Off spectators? If the coach refuses to assist if the ref requests help, Is the coachhh ejected? I need the most current ruling

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Hi Piney,
As a rule NO! A referee has no jurisdiction over a spectator other than pointing him out and saying to those who could HAVE authority, i.e. the competition authorities, the match will not continue with him present. A referee can send off players and expel those within the technical area but can only choose to abandon a match if the spectators get unruly. Security or association officials within the park or stadium might be empowered to remove or call in the police?
This is not something the USSF mandates but will be within your soccer association or local league bylaws as to their zero tolerance policy. It is possible the referee could hold the coach accountable for at least trying to get the spectators to behave? I believe within the AYSO
www.ayso.org
or the NFHS
https://www.nfhs.org
that might be delegated as a responsibility for the coach/manager or home team ? There is no current ruling as a mandate for a referee to do anything other then ensure the safety of the players and the participants of the match, himself and ARS/4th included.

I have had a chat/exchange with the occasional spectator to both good and poor effect so it is a risk of sorts to directly confront. I usually request the coach of the team supporters to use their influence to calm things. Failure to at least try is in my mind disrespect and irresponsible behaviour. A coach COULD be expelled for not acting responsibly or reasonably by the referee. Such an action would be described within a match report and the actions taken would have to be explained
Cheers

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Piney
The answer depends on the level of the game. In a game with hundreds of spectators the referee is not going to request the removal of unruly spectators. If the poor behaviour warrants it the game can be abandoned. It will certainly be suspended until the unacceptable behaviour ceases
Now at underage and at lower levels a referee can request to have a spectator/s who are disrupting the game warned about their conduct or removed. Many Leagues have rules of competition and policy position such as Zero Tolerance Policy on this. The responsibility generally rests with the home team club officials to deal with ground and spectator issues. It is their ground and they can control entry etc. In some instances ROC can states that spectator issues rests with the offending side and its officials. In the absence of club officials the responsibility passes to the most senior club person present most likely the home team coach. It is generally a request from the referee to deal with the situation. If it is not dealt with which could be for many reasons the referee may simply decide to suspend / abandon the game. Perhaps if the referees request is poorly handled and the request is shunned / refused with the coach using strong words towards the referee it could result in an ejection of the coach not for his failure to deal with the spectator yet rather the manner of his dealing with the referee and his request. That though may not actually deal with the offender so it may be unhelpful
BTW referees are advised not to confront or approach spectators and it is advised that the home club officials / stewards are used.

Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

The referee has the power to deal with spectators and parents in youth matches, but it is indirect. The referee can stop the match, and indicate that play will restart only if the unruly person leaves sight and sound of the field. If the person refuses to leave within a very short time, the match will be abandoned.

Many leagues and tournaments adopt a rule that specifies that the coach is responsible for the conduct of parents and spectators. But, even then, it is usually more effective for the referee to ask the coach for help with an unruly parent rather than to threaten the coach. Of course, if the coach is also behaving irresponsibly, the referee does have the power to dismiss the coach.

Answer provided by Referee Ben Mueller

The referee cannot show the red card to anyone but players and substitutes. The Laws of the Game do not specify how the referee is to deal with fans, but the best way is through the coaches or tournament/game director if one is available. Yes, the referee can request coaches assistance and if the fans do not behave, then the referee can terminate the match. But the referee should try everything possible to not let this happen.