Question Number: 30359

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 4/27/2016

RE: Rec Under 19

Peter of Stockton, CA USA asks...

Hi

My U19 boys team was playing a game that had just started, about 3 or 4 minutes into the game. My player committed a foul for a harsh tackle (to me the tackle was appropriate for the age level). The referee gave my player a yellow. Side note here - my team knows that they get substituted for a yellow. As my player turns to walk off, he said something and immediately the referee issued a second yellow. No one on either side line heard what was said. When the player came off, I asked him what he said. I spoke to the referee after the game to confirm and the referee said 'As your player was walking off he muttered under his breath - this is ridiculous'

What do you think? At this age level should a player be allowed to say such a thing and at a low volume?

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Peter
The referee here no doubt cautioned the player for a reckless challenge and then as the player dissented the referees decision that is also a caution.
Dissent consists of language (both verbal and nonverbal) which disputes an officials decision. The interpretation of dissent is left to the individual referees discretion. Now the words here seem more like frustration however when the player committed a harsh reckless tackle perhaps the referee was thinking this could be a possible red and none too pleased with the offender. He then perhaps has that negative view of the players action which is then compounded by dissent even minor as it was. Also many times it is not just the words yet the tone and manner of what is said. Words used in a condescending or aggressive manner would have more negative impact than if just said in passing.
If the player had understood that his tackle was harsh and apologised to the opponent and the referee nothing more would have come of it. He chose otherwise so in that situation he runs the risk of further sanction.
Perhaps on another day a referee would ignore the words and just make a mental note of it. When it comes to benefit of the doubt on further dissent in the game it might not easily be given.

Answer provided by Referee James Sowa

Peter,

Different referees will handle dissent in different ways. Take this as a teaching moment for the player and how he must remain in control of his emotions regardless of the game situation.

As described, for me, nothing there let's get on with the game. I know some referees though that treat even an under the breath comment very seriously. It depends on the referee that day. In this scenario, your player committed what the referee viewed as a reckless challenge and so he showed the player the caution. The player then says something to the referee. Whether the sidelines heard it is irrelevant. If the players in the vicinity heard it or the comment/action was personal, provocative, or public then he referee is right to caution for dissent. In this case, the referee felt it was dissent and acted accordingly.

As to your other question, a player should not be dissenting at any level or any age. However, referees tend to let too much go and this leads to games slowly going down hill. When I am on the field, I will use a sliding bar based on whether I view the words as frustration or truly as dissent. I have very little tolerance at young ages and only a little bit more with the adults.