Question Number: 30013

Mechanics 1/7/2016

RE: Amateur Adult

George of Parangarecutirimicuaro, CA Sacratomato asks...

Over the weekend I found myself forced to caution a player for dissent. When I asked for his number, he refused to give me his number and he refused to turn around so I could see his number. I tried walking behind him and he turned so I would not see the number. It was clear he was not going to let me have his number. Fortunately, his teammates were very calm about the whole situation and they yelled out his number while talking to him. On this day, a teammate gave me his number. Looking forward, if this ever happens again, what are my options?

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Hi George,
additional dissent is a 2nd caution show two yellows and then a red card and send him off. I had a similar situation in which I pulled the red card while I was holding a yellow card and I said 'Your choice, you really want to go there!'

Power struggles are certainly not a direction we want to go but certain players who think it is ok to treat the referee with no respect will receive little back. The chasing about or beckoning players to come like a dog is at times emotionally charged to the point where pomp and ceremony take precedent over pride and circumstance.

Given you have ARs to help or the teammates/players are co operative and you can easily escape without looking weak or ineffectual perhaps you show the yellow card and get on with it. Otherwise send him on the red sleigh ride of ignobility.

Cheers

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi George
The player here tested your resolve and showed disrespect with continuing dissent. As referees we should try not to engage in a battle of wills with a player showing obtuse behaviour yet we must recognize that players can be full of emotion over something that just occurred. We also have to ensure that the players act in a respectful and sporting manner. The players rarely are calm and easy to get along with only a moment or two after the incident. Now there is a number of solutions / options available.
1 Stand your ground and face down the player until he adheres to your request. That can be a stand off yet you hold the key of no restart until it is sorted. If his team is behind they wont want the delay.
Have a look at this video
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=9vVc7lrLZug
Who do you think *won* that battle.
2. Involve the captain. I had dissent recently from a player and after the caution he persisted. I immediately called the captain and told that the player was skating on thin ice and if he persisted further I would dismiss him. He got the message as I had no more dissent.
3. Threaten the player with a second caution. Tell him that if he does not accede then he will be dismissed. Some referees may even motion towards their hip pocket with the threat of dismissal.
4. Sometimes I just show the card and if I don't have the number immediately and I sense animosity I will get it subtly afterwards.
The action taken depend on many factors including the mood of the game, the players previous behaviour, the incident itself. The ultimate sanction is the dismissal for a second caution. I do my upmost to avoid that through good communication yet if needed then so be it.
What you must ensure is that your authority and match control is not comprised by the actions of the player. If seen as weak officiating players may act on that.

Answer provided by Referee Jason Wright

If a player refuses to show his number (I won't accept him telling me the number), or he tries to be smart by spinning around quickly, then I will tell him very quickly that he'll be off if he doesn't comply. This is continued dissent - and it's dissent of the worst kind, as it severely undermines your authority. Everybody is now watching this battle of wills. And you have to stand your ground. A referee is in a position of authority - while referee's shouldn't depend on this to gain respect, they do need to be conscious of what this means. Here, you've allowed the player to have authority over yourself.

Unfortunately by walking up behind him you've let him win this battle.

I would have no problems whatsoever with issuing the second caution - at least you'll see his number as he walks off the field! You want to make sure everybody knows he is fully responsible - I'd give a quick toot of the whistle and fairly loudly tell him 'show me your number please, or you will be sent off'. By now it's clear to everybody what he's doing, so the second yellow card should be very easy to sell.

Some more tolerant referees may call the captain over, get him to bring the player over, let them both know in no uncertain terms that he is on extremely thin ice.

Either way, don't stand there continuously shouting at him, and don't let it drag on for a long time.