Question Number: 31756

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 9/3/2017

RE: Competive Adult

Fidel Jaary of Auckland, Auckland New Zealand asks...

Hi There,

My question is in three parts:

Part 1
i tend to use 'hands off' when there is a throw in or a defender is trying to stop a striker. Is this a good thing or not and can i do without.

Part 2:
What do you say to a players (defender and attacker) going at each other pushing and holding, defender trying to stop attacker and attacker is trying to go around him.

Part 3
When a player come to confront you in an aggressive way and you want to explain to him a situation and he is adamant by keep shouting and screaming.eventually you have no option but to cation him, but what would you say to him as a referee.

I look forward to hearing back from you.

Thanks

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Fidel
Sometimes there is nothing wrong with advising players not to do something such as Hands Off. The more effective way can be to simply call the foul. Players soon get the message when a direct free kick or series of free kicks are awarded.
On your second part if it is say at a restart such as a corner kick or free kick the referee can halt the restart and speak to both players telling them that they are being watched closely, that pulling / holding is a foul and it is up to them. That is the advice given to senior referees although I personally am not a great fan of that as player know what is a foul. We do not do it when the ball is in play so why at at a restart. I can see the point if both players are getting involved in aggressive behaviours that can escalate into something more serious. If that is not the case the better solution is to call any foul that is seen when the ball is in play.
On the third one I feel that the referee must impose himself on the player by taking control of the situation. I find that non confrontational body language and a strong voice is vital. * Hey please calm down. I hear you now I am doing the talking here. Explain the decision. Such as that *That was a clear foul as the player came through the opponent to play the ball* . If he listens then so be it. If he persists then the caution card comes out. On occasion the use of the captain can be helpful. Call in the captain to the conversation and inform the captain with the player present that you are not going to tolerate future outbursts. That places somewhat of an onus on the team and the captain to change the behaviour.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Hi Fidel.
if you are asking can you use your voice to communicate to the players? Yes but with limitations and conditions.

In cases where before a restart or even during play AWAY from the ball you will get players jockeying for position or deliberately impeding or pushing the other out of the way! BEFORE a restart like a throw in or corner it is misconduct only up until the ball is in play then it might be doubtful or trifling but it is a foul as it would be during play away from the ball.
Given at restarts there are more than one or two players involved a broad band shout-out might stop the jockeying but generally you can make that safe baseball move which in soccer implies cut it out or else!

My colleague Ref McHugh is spot on, the players know what they do is wrong but if they are NOT called to stop it they feel entitled and embolden to continue! Generally it is in the delay time from when the ball goes out of play, until the restart actually put the ball BACK in play when the force and contact escalate into harsh physical violence which is why we are asked to intervene, before it gets to that state! In cases where opposing players are in pursuit of the ball and there is both a give and take of push and shove it can be tolerated slightly given both are engaged somewhat more so than an impeding with contact away from play designed to halt a run into space as those develop into serious issues. I was AR for one of our FIFA CRs when he asked me who was holding who when they were running towards me. Each had a solid grip on the shirt of the other so they appeared to be joined at the hip. I replied with a smile & said 'Take your pick neither one is going anywhere without the other.'
Thus play on!

While no doubt SOME give & take is trifling or doubtful MUCH of it is NOT!
In cases where there are hands over the shoulder or the arm swings out across the chest THESE are serious holding infractions and NEED to be called! Not asked to keep them down!

I start of every match with the I am fair not perfect intro! My ARs are OFF limits to ANY abuse. Talk to me if approached REASONABLE and time permits but if I indicate no I MEAN no! AFTER the match IF approached REASONABLE glad to explain ANY decision

In youth matches I have indicated to coaches that certain player are looking rather ill kind of a yellow complexion and that we certainly would hate to think measles with red spots might suddenly appear if we did not take some time to rest? The nice thing about UNLIMITED subs!

Adult matches you act accordingly you get treated accordingly. If I make a mistake I have no issues admitting to it but respect is a two way street. I give it but I also demand it! AS my mentor explained, it is not our fault what players CHOOSE to do!
Each referee learns that to manage our own & the players behaviour is a character reflection of how we manage difficulties away from the pitch. There are consequences to everything we choose to do or not do, as no decision is also a decision!
Cheers