Question Number: 29348

Law 5 - The Referee 4/23/2015

RE: Competitive Under 19

Jordan of Scottsdale, Arizona USA asks...

I was refereeing a match the other day when a coach decided to start speaking out, as he usually does.

I happened to be right next to him, he was complaining about the direction of a throw in. I asked him to stop.

He responded with, 'I am recording everything you say.'

Is it legal for said coach to be recording voice using his cell phone?

(Note: I didn't say anything bad, I just am curious what actions I can take at that point.)

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Jordan
Unfortunately in the times we live in the use of technology is all around us. What is being said can be recorded and in fact many times it is also captured on video.
So unless there is a competition rule say at underage to prevent the uses of technology including cameras there is nothing the referee can or should do.
Now having said that the threat of recording everything that is said is of little concern to the adult referee that acts correctly in accordance with the procedures.
My reply to the coach would be * I'm happy that you are recording. I have asked you to not question my decision making. If you persist with this unsatisfactory behaviour I will ask you to leave the technical area. * On my return I will repeat what I told him and ask him politely to leave* Coach I asked you to desist from questioning my decision making. As you have persisted with your unsatisfactory behaviour I am now asking you to leave the technical area*
In fact it would be a good idea if referees were to consider that what they say may be recorded. It would certainly be of no concern to me and the threat of same would be empty. Perhaps the coach felt that his threat of recording carried some weight or in some way protected him from sanction. Far from it except in the case where a referee used inappropriate language or acted irresponsibly. The referee who acts in a professional manner has nothing to be concerned about. What should not happen is that the referee rises to the bait of a coach by saying something inappropriate or unprofessional about the recording. One might not like it yet not something to get concerned about.

Answer provided by Referee Ben Mueller

There is nothing in the Laws of the Game that discusses this. Law 5 gives the referee the power to dismiss a coach if he is acting irresponsibly. That is of course is the referee discretion. You can warn him and then dismiss him if you believe his behavior is inappropriate. If the coach is being abusive and harassing the referee team, then he may be dismissed.

Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

There is nothing in TLOG that concerns this. But, in some states, it is illegal to record someone without their consent. My view, however, is that while no one should be taking pictures of a teenage boy or girl who is the referee or recording their voices, adults should expect that every game is being filmed.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Hi Jordan,
I realize that irritation is an easy emotion to slip into with a whiney coach on the touchlines. When it comes to low level grumbling dissent, I find it prudent to pick your battles with coaches carefully. Do not misunderstand, I have zero tolerance for abuse. I certainly can not fault those who do not hesitate to do what is required WHEN it is necessary! And the necessity of acting in an official capacity to chastise an obnoxious coach I usually just ridicule his comments using his own players by asking, 'How do you stand his infernal whining?' Mind you if we engage a coach and state for all to hear by publically admonishing him to be quiet and stop voicing his opinion it ignites an embarrassment fuse often better left unlit. It is not that we are afraid or cannot expel him from the pitch it is my humble opinion it is not worth commenting on unimportant dissenting actions unless they are directly affecting play by encouraging disrespect from the players. Yet if you warn a coach to desist from unreasonable behaviour and he responds with, 'I am recording this !', if you can keep from laughing it might be construed as unprofessional but I might reply 'Good I will talk slowly so you can understand, 'Your dissenting conduct is not appreciated, I was asking that you refrain from doing so. Now I am telling you your dissenting conduct and this attempt to intimidate me is additional unreasonable behaviour and if you persist, this match will not continue with you present! Do you understand or should I wait for you to rewind it and play it again? lol Then again I am hardly concerned with such foolishness because my thick skin is nearly bullet proof from whining coaches
Cheers