Question Number: 29866

Mechanics 10/28/2015

sam of new york, ny usa asks...

2 questions regarding use of 'outside' referees for assistance

1. A setting where there are extra referees near the field (ex. field near tournament tent, referee waiting for next game near field, etc). A fight is about to break out of the field and one of these outside referees is closest to the location of the problem. Should outside referees get involved to prevent or break up a fight on the field, or let it happen so the referees in the game can handle it?

2. You are an assistant referee and it looks as though a fight is about to happen near you on your game. You have a whistle in your pocket. Is it incorrect for you to use this whistle to attempt to prevent the fight from happening i.e. only the center can use his?

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

HI Sam,
the security levels and communication protocols for the professional games be it a fight on the pitch or stands are well known and rigorously practised.
At the grassroots we have our wits and the abilities and commitment of our fellow officials the league or ROC bylaws and some common sense.

Foolish behaviour is one thing, violent behaviour is another matter. Confrontation, stepping in to grab someone or protect can lead to liability issues just as doing nothing leads to you having to deal with regret if you are afraid to do so. The pregame and indeed structure of the ROC (rules of the competition) or league at these fields should have a zero tolerance abuse policy and a all hands on deck to protect those trying to do the correct thing. You watch and record and if you are required to or as part of the associations ban on violence , you intervene in a isolation role separating or walling those away from one another . You work with your team to protect each other but physically laying hands on players is a very risky business and should not be utilized.

As for an AR breaking up a fight a call out to those NOT to engage, a call out to the CR but the use of a whistle is not something I advise but perhaps as a last resort if the actions are violent, beyond your capabilities, you are alone and help is not at hand . The NHSF actually uses a 3 whistle system which actually helps in this regard. Be sure you are focused and aware of who is doing what and refrain from putting yourself or allowing others to be endangered .

You have seen on the TV the occasional group of officials fleeing the field for protection. Standing toe to toe busting jaws might be great in a bar fight but you will achieve no measure of respect for doing so on a soccer pitch.

But to interpose your body ,to continue to stand and record, those engaged will pay the price for their actions. Lifetime bans, criminal proceeding and jail these are deterrents when officials intervene in disputes or are themselves victims of abuse directly. Yet we lose a few referees every year to being sucker punched, assaulted or driven from the game by the pukes who dare think their right to be angry gives them power to hurt another.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Sam
When officials are at a game as spectators that is what they are. So spectators should not be getting involved in breaking up players etc. That should be left to the match officials to deal with and if appropriate security / police. The reason is that the official has no standing whatsoever as a spectator. They could step in to protect a colleague on a possible assault or act as a good Samaritan in a first aid situation
As regards stepping in as an AR I would advise not to use a whistle. There is one official with the whistle and that is the referee. The AR could step in between players yet I would be wary of that from a safety perspective and the timing is critical. The advice in Europe is to try to isolate the player and to prevent the escalating of the situations by stepping in. However once players start fighting referees and AR are advised by UEFA to avoid being physically involved in separating players. It is advised that one assistant should monitor and record events and the other assistant should remain close to the referee. The fourth official should maintain his position between the technical areas while also monitoring the situation. With four sets of eyes and ears the appropriate disciplinary action can be taken and a good report written as to what transpired