Question Number: 32594

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 7/15/2018

RE: Select Under 18

peter larvan of Savannah, GA US asks...

Do you think the poor performance of Mark Geiger at the WC, roundly criticized by many senior referees etc for losing control of games and dubious calls, will effect the international standing of USSF referees as a whole or will it just reflect upon him ?

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

HI Peter,
poor performance?

Well he must have been better then some as he was selected to go further after the group stages?

When you say senior referees do you mean the newly appointed sport announcers?

It is funny as much as I respect certain referees at the world stage I realize many have huge egos that they cannot always hide. I choose to believe my mentor Esse Bahamuast would NEVER In million year publically crucify a world cup official. I can certainly see him disapprove of certain things but he is also empathetic and understanding when things go haywire! He has what I call INTEGRITY! It is a crucial characteristic of the best of those officiating and teaching. Public commentary like any perceived opinion is a reflection of what the one speaking thinks they know about what they saw and how controversy drives interest.

I think the VAR added some element of doubt into Marks way of doing things.
I think the instructions he received from his superiors prior to the start of the WC again affect his management strategies.
I think he tried very hard to not send people off because he knew those watching did not want to watch matches so compromised by cards .

It is easy to cast a wide net and find fault but there is still a visible difference in how certain countries approach the game and when conflicting styles rear up a referee will not be able to satisfy both easily. One will scream louder than the other! That said in the last 2 world cups I have watched I have seen the CR make HUGE glaring errors (in my opinion) that required red cards but NONE were awarded! In this LATEST WC I watched Croatia get handed the short end as the first two French goals were not worthy of the effort. The first was a DIVE by Geiezman lead to the own goal and the 2nd was NEVER a PK under any circumstances the VAR FAILED miserably in this regard!!!!! The CR is this match affected the outcome sorry he did PERIOD! I thought the matches Mark did were at least decided by the teams on the pitch a referee can do no better! I take my hat off to Mark and say well done in difficult circumstances. To his detractors who think they can do better then do so or shut the hell up! I believe as does my colleagues that a sinbin with time outs for dissent and restart violations is afar better idea than yellow cards which have such an impact on future competitive matches and how we expect a mandatory tactical foul from everyone so we are afraid to show for lesser things!
Cheers

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Peter
Individual performances rarely if ever effect the standing of association referees. Mark Geigers performances were not poor yet rather he got difficult teams in difficult games. Add in FIFAs apparent instructions on managing players that change of refereeing style can effect a referee.
I believe the game has to look at some of the misbehaviour of players in games and it needs to use more immediate sanctions such as the sin bin to curb some of that conduct. Personally I thought Mark Geiger did well to maintain his composure in difficult circumstances with player mobbing and jostling when it was clear that the decisions were correct.
So for me it is totally unacceptable that the referee has to bear the brunt of abuse wnd criticism. Even good performances were castigated by some in the losing countries which plainly is unwarranted and unacceptable . With the rise of social media everyone now has access to the wider public which is then picked up by mainstream media. The only criticism that is really relevant anymore which is not visible is those in refereeing at the highest level of the competition in this case FIFAs Referee Committee .
So I say well done to Mark Geiger for reaching the World Cup. He has represented USSF exceptionally well and he is a credit to his association. I believe his participation will no doubt encourage young referees to strive for progression and hopefully encourage more to take up the whistle.

Answer provided by Referee Peter Grove

Hi Peter,
I would have to say that I'm not aware of criticism of Mark Geiger's performance by 'many senior referees' - although I haven't read too much commentary on his performances one way or the other. I do feel that he, like most of the referees in the tournament were poorly served by the instructions they were evidently given by the FIFA refereeing chiefs, which seem to have been to rely on man management skills and avoid using cards.

Even if there were the kind of criticism you speak of, I do not think it would affect the reputation of other referees in the USSF.