Question Number: 33215

Other 4/4/2019

RE: Under 19

gary of nashua, nh usa asks...

How would a ref go about getting a spectator, player, or coach to leave, if they were reluctant to do so after being ejected?

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

HI Gary<
Leave hmm, usually a bit of patience and a few minutes of venting secures their compliance.
Generally when we eject a player or coach it is from the technical area and surrounding pitch. We usually have NO say of a spectator as the park security is responsible. We might ask a coach to help settle the crowd or ask to request the individual calm down or stop their harassment if that was the case. A referee can abandon or terminate the match if they feel threatened or if they think the safety of the players is compromised. A match delayed while security escorts unlawful spectators out of stadiums occurs at the elite level fairly often if say flares are thrown or racists insults etc.. .

Players usually go to the dressing rooms and coaches generally into the stands or parking where if they watch quietly we do not pursue. If the stay ranting and raving the referee can delay the restart until they do and can advise the coach or player that the game will not resume with them present or if they choose to wander back and mouth off more later. Given that there will be harsh consequences for failing to act in a respectful or reasonable manner, rarely would a player or coach want to force or push that button to create an abandonment as it is a very serious step for a referee to take. The ROC or association repercussions could be grave!

Try not to act inappropriately or engage in angry rhetoric just say something to the effect of

Sorry sir /Madam. This match will not continue with you present ! Please leave the pitch area and refrain from unwelcome actions or comments.! '

After a delay or they choose to drag it out try

' Sir/Madam, you can disagree as much as you want, fill in whatever report you wish to my superiors at your leisure as to what you think, but if you do not leave of your own accord & refrain from interrupting this match I will be forced to terminate this match and I will state in my report you are the cause of such action. '

I would hope the coach or team official support and try to encourage the disruptive elements to leave but after a reasonable time or if you feel threatened and no authority is present to ensure compliance. I have waited and delayed until police were called in a couple of cases where the disruptive individual(s) were actually escorted away but these are rare and most often the reasoning approach works.
Cheers

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Gary
Generally the home team is the owner or tenant of the grounds so crowd / spectator matters are best the remit of the home team officials. The referee has no authority over spectators just the game and those connected with it. He has though the power to suspend or to abandon the game for outside factors such as spectator behaviour, safety concerns etc.
My advice is to ask the home team management / authorities to deal with the situation. In the recent past I have asked that a spectator be requested by the home club to desist from his behaviour towards players. Some club management try not to do this although I have informed officials that if it is not dealt with the game will not continue.
In respect of every person on the match card including team officials are under the control of the referee and once shown a red card or instructed to leave the field of play and surrounds they must do so without delay. The referee should not restart the game until that request has been fully complied with. Failure to do do will result in the game being abandoned which will have serious consequences for the offender / club.

Answer provided by Referee Peter Grove

Hi Gary,
The referee is not granted authority under the Laws of the Game to compel spectators to leave. The normal and recommended practice is for the home team management or authorities to deal with spectators so if necessary, the referee can ask them to deal with the situation. If the home team is unable (or unwilling) to take the appropriate action, the threat of abandonment could be used.

For players or coaches, the referee does have the authority to dismiss them and if they fail to comply with the referee's legitimate instructions then again the referee can use the threat that the game may have to be abandoned if they will not leave.