Question Number: 31395

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 3/27/2017

RE: Youth-Adult, Rec and competitive

Barry Stewart of Chilliwack, BC Canada asks...

This question is a follow up to question 31390

In Joe McHugh's second video example: could the taunting forward not be cautioned for such unsporting conduct?

It seemed the referee was unaware of the problem, though the AR could have alerted him.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Barry
Up to the referee on the day. Was it taunting or simply gamesmanship?
If the referee goes with a card here he then sets out his stall to deal with other questionable events also with a card. An opponent No 4 looks like he tugs at the players shorts? Is that a card?
BTW I believe the referee knew yet he tried to ignore it for the reason that he did not want to get involved unless he had to.
I recall many years ago communicating with Julian Carosi of the Corshsm Ref fame on his concept of the Power of doing Nothing
Perhaps in the antics of our player in the video was challenged more aggressively could it was escalated into something a lot more. If the antics had not been seen as buffoonery but more aggressively dealt with could it have escalated into USB or even VC. Perhaps had the referee got involved it might have kicked off something more?
That is the test of good refereeing on knowing when to take action and when to do nothing or how to manage doing nothing. Many times doing less is best

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

HI Barry,
there is that option.
You could just go over and have a word or just stay away .
As I am fond of saying Your Match Your Decision Your Reputation
Cheers

Answer provided by Referee Peter Grove

Hi Barry,
It seems to me that behaviour that can be classified as 'taunting' is for some reason seen as a more serious matter in North America than in other parts of the world. This is perhaps reflected in the specific provision in NFHS rules against such behaviour (or maybe the NFHS rule is because of the overall attitude, it's a bit of a chicken and egg situation).

I think the player in the video was making himself look a bit of an idiot but the keeper seemed relatively unconcerned and was studiously ignoring him. Unsporting behaviour is something of a catch-all and I suppose a referee could see this as USB and caution for it if they so desired. On the other hand, telling the player to stop messing around or simply ignoring it (as the keeper is doing) would also be options.