Question Number: 34216

Mechanics 5/10/2021

RE: Competitive Under 14

Doug Crawford of Folsom, CA U.S. asks...

Hi there fellow refs - When should coach misconduct stop the game?
As an AR yesterday I raised my flag for coach comments - the CR and I later agreed that I should NOT have kept the flag raised after play restarted.
The referee had stopped play and called a foul against Black, with a DFK to White, at center circle, 5-10 min. left to play.
One of the Black team assistant coaches said “that’s bullcrap” with emphasis, loud enough for all of the 2 teams subs and coaches to hear, as well as 2-4 players on the field.
The ball was still dead, so I raised my flag and called the referee’s name. The ref did not hear me, and moments later the free kick was taken by White.

I kept the flag raised and called the ref again. The referee saw me after a few seconds and stopped play. No promising attack.
I told the ref about the misconduct and the ref said to warn him myself, which was agreeable to me. Coach warned, and quieted down.

However, the referee restarted play with a drop ball for Black and in retrospect we agreed it had probably been White who last touched the ball. ARs were not attentive enough to help.
So because play was stopped due to Black misconduct, just after White’s DFK, their attack was interrupted, and White lost possession.

Q1- Do you have any advice on when words or actions by non-players mandate stopping play?
Q2- Could the CR have simply ordered a retake of the DFK, as he had not yet responded to the misconduct during the stoppage?
Q3- Law 12 section 4 says “If, when the ball is in play:
…
   •   a substitute, substituted or sent-off player, or team official commits an offence against, or interferes with, an opposing player or match official outside the field of play,
play is restarted with a free kick on the boundary line nearest to where the offence/interference occurred ...”
Could this clause apply as play was stopped due to coach misconduct or is that a stretch as the offense occurred on a dead ball?
Thank as always and it is great to be back on the field again!
/Doug

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Doug
Thanks for the question.
Matters such as this should be discussed in the pre match discussion.
The advice that I give assistant referees on the technical side is that in the first instance the AR should try to deal with it themselves at the appropriate time. In the event that it cannot be sorted or that it persists then to call me over at a stoppage to deal with it.

As play has been stopped here I would as an AR have called out to the assistant coach to be quiet and to desist.
In your situation as you shouted into the referee to get his attention and he did not hear it then perhaps there was a chance that he did not want to? As the misconduct by the technical area may not have been affecting play or match control, in the opinion of the referee, then there was no need to raise a flag or to keep it raised. If it was a one off situation then personally I would have dealt with it myself or let it slide until it was repeated.

As to what constitutes a reason to stop play in my opinion it has to be connected with play or be serious enough that it cannot wait until the next stoppage. On page 113 of the current law book it sets out what typically would be a warning and a caution for technical area personnel. With the advent of cards for technical staff my advice is to treat the situations the same as if they were on the field of play along with the added list. The words used here would in my opinion could be ignored if it was a one off shout in the heat of the moment or be a warning on the basis that it was low level dissent that would not typically be a card on the FOP.

In this situation if a player said something untoward my advice is only to stop play if it is going to result in a card and then only if it did not disadvantage the opponents by doing so. The caution can wait until the next stoppage rather than stopping the game. In addition an assistant referee would need to be in tune with what the referees tolerance level are. In this situation there was every chance that the referee heard the comment as it was at the center circle and that he may not have wanted to deal with it particularly when the referee did not ultimately deal with it. As play was already stopped and he was at the touchline it should have been the referee that dealt with it at that stoppage. The AR should only deal with it when the referee is not directly involved.

On your second question it was not possible to go back to the free kick as play had already restarted for what was at worst was low level dissent by a member of the technical staff. It is always important not to allow play to restart if it is connected with play such as unseen violent conduct, an extra player, unseen offside etc.

On your 3rd question that particular part of the Law would not apply as play has already been stopped plus a restart and it should have been dealt with at that time. Also for me it would have to be a pretty serious event for words to stop play. It would have to offensive, insulting and abusive language or something that say interfered with play. Ordinarily shouting in by technical staff would not meet that criteria. If a referee really wanted to he could stop play for that offence, caution the person in the technical area and restart with an IDFK in front of the technical area. Personally I think that would not be the way to deal with it yet rather wait until a stoppage to deal with it.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Hi Doug,
improper conduct or misconduct by technical staff or from the technical areas is usually monitored by the 4th official or the nearest AR although occasionally the CR will see or hear something important enough for them to get initially involved.

AS AR my suggestion would be UNLESS the misconduct was so egregious it MUST be halted waiting until the next stoppage is likely the better decision to get the referee's attention.

You can not always save a CR from themselves even if you try to relay quality information. As an AR I watched a fairly tough cynical tackle upend a player to which the CR responded with a whistle and a free-kick but choose to not show a card. The coach of the upended player was MOST displeased and to some extent, I did not blame him as I had valiantly tapped my shirt pocket indicating quietly to the CR that foul, in my humble opinion really needed a card. It was reckless at a minimum it was also, in my opinion, PI (persistent infringement) The coach admonished the referee, no need to raise a flag the the CR heard him and just told him to button it and we restarted. I was already concerned that the developing rough play in the match of which the last tackle was but one of about 4 that particular player had committed when I overheard the coach utter a very dangerous statement. He had pulled a player aside and said that ^*&(#@ opposing player was a menace and that he needed to be taught a lesson, to which I interpreted it as, " You are to target and destroy that player!"

Because the player was in the technical area and as a substitute not on the FOP yet this was something I tried to deal with by first confronting the coach and player, "NO you are not going to act on that. I can sympathize with the lack of a card but you cannot retaliate."
NOW if that ahem, advice had been given to a player ON the FOP. I likely would raise the flag and try to stop play ASAP. As it was here I got the referee's attention at the next stoppage, brought him over to the touchlines, and had a (private chat.) Once you HAVE that attention I also promote a QUIET personal conversation not a shout-out for all to hear. The AR and CR should not be talking out loud about player or coach conduct for others to overhear.

I gave him my thoughts on what had occurred including the missed opportunity to card and what I thought might occur. He listened asked my advice, he asked should he dismiss the coach. I said, 'He is upset the opposing player is performing hard tackles with seeming impunity, and while he did not actually say go out here and hurt that guy I think that is what's about to go down unless you get it settled now? The CR to his credit swallowed the ego, warned the coach in no way would he tolerate reprisals but did agree the match might have been better served if he had carded earlier but that player on his radar.

One idea I recommend to ARs and CRs who DO communicate effectively is on those eye contact moments where the CR flashes a thumbs up or the AR flashes a thumbs up indicating the match is going well, & when the match is not going well, then a hand across the throat is a warning to get a grip, this match is getting away, tighten up. A head nod or shake, a hand gesture, indicating push-pull, strike, a tap on the front shirt pocket yellow card, the back short pocket red card, effective positioning, all indicate something if the CR and AR are in eye contact communication

A flag held aloft & or waved by the AR is ONLY an indication to the CR that you as AR hold an opinion to stop play as there is a situation that the CR MUST address. It is not a signal to the coach or players and it is a signal the CR can choose to wave away even if you as AR disagree.

Once play restarts generally even if it was improper the chance to fix it is likely gone. If there is a need, then flag up, YELL STOP we NEED to talk. It might be crappy visuals but getting it right is important.

While an indfk in front of the technical area for a stoppage is correct in law if that is why play is stopped it should take more than a verbal outcry unless it was unconscionable or so abusive as to match stopping. The position of the ball and if say a shot was headed into the red goal and it was red's technical area we likely wait for the outcome of the shot before dealing with the idiot on the touchline!

One of the biggest concerns for new officials, often working together for the first time is how to incorporate their combined knowledge into managing a good game. The fact is far too often a quality pregame talk is not conducted due to a lack of time (officials not there ahead of start-up) or through their body language and actions, some officials convey disinterest and disrespect.

It may seem trivial or perhaps you think I am being too overbearing, however, trust is immediately lost between team officials if they cannot rely on each other to have a focused conversation before the game. If we cannot get eye contact and some focus prior to the game what assurance is there it will occur during the game?

Unconcerned with the match outcome is fine when dispensing neutral advice but not caring enough to give a quality effort or having an indifferent attitude thinking it doesn't matter because it is just a kids game or this level of play is unimportant is a spirit killer to those thinking the exact opposite To broach this subject in real-time is often difficult because of the tensions it could create, yet every distraction is but another hurdle preventing success.

How serious is one at performing at a quality level? To achieve that solidarity, that effort to maximize group cohesion, where making the best decisions on the field is everyone's primary goal, ensuring the players' safety by allowing a team of unified officials to put this baby to bed in no uncertain terms. Create the energy and enthusiasm to find success by looking for it, by plucking it from within, and at times by demanding it from others.

Look at the link below and take note of Gil Weber's effort to assist us with doing a better job!

https://www.pensra.org/display?action=display&key=818

Gil Weber's Pregame - A complete PreGame Discussion Printable
Gil Weber, a distinguished member of SocRef-L and one of the authors of the now old USSF Advice to Referees, has developed and refined these instructions for almost 20 years - probably the most complete set of instructions available. These instructions were last updated in 2020.

Recreational Matches and Competitive Matches thru U14

Competitive Matches U15 and older />
.
Cheers