Question Number: 35278

Other 12/12/2023

Barry Stewart of Chilliwack, BC Canada asks...

This question is a follow up to question 35274

Excellent deliberate handball video supplied by Joe McHugh!

I recall a few years back, overhearing some high school boys saying (as I arrived at the field), "There's the ref that doesn't call hand balls."

I don't think they meant for me to hear it, but I couldn't let it go and had a chat with them about the need for it to be deliberate use of hands before I'd call it.

Recently, I was AR for a U-14 boys' game and saw an attacker clearly slap a ball down from waist high. This was in the penalty arc in the other end and I was at the centre line.

The far AR had a bad sight line and the centre ref was apparently blocked. The defending coach and players rightfully yelled "Handball!" and I started waving my flag as the ball made its way into the PA and then was shot into the net.

The ref and other AR didn't see my flag and signalled a good goal, then the AR noticed my flag. I entered the field and was firm in my conviction that there was an attacking hand ball before the goal was scored. I didn't press for a caution but the ref surely would have cautioned if he had seen it.

The goal was disallowed and the defending coach thanked me for intervening.

The attacking coach grinned at his counterpart and said, "I didn't want that goal. I don't know WHAT the kid (his player) was thinking."

At the handshake, a defending player said, "Best AR ever!"

Game ended in a 2-2 tie and I think everyone left the field happy. (Except for me, as I was CR in the next game and it switched from cold rain to heavy wet snow! Only got 21 minutes into that game before I called it.)

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Barry
The power of the web!!
Anyway thanks for sharing the story.

Now what works at Underage does not transfer well to the adult game. I have been on the line multiple times in games and I have seen referees and lead ARs fail to make obvious calls yet there was no way I was going to intervene as trail AR from 40+ yards away at half way. I would intervene on violent conduct if I saw an incident that was unseen by my colleagues yet for playing fouls I would not get involved from a distance. Its always the Pre Match instruction so it does not arise.

It reminds me of a situation I had as an AR where there was an alleged VC incident at a free kick deep in the offside line. I could not see it and the referee came across to me to inquire what I saw. Being in line with a large group of players I did not have a any view of what transpired. Anyway the player that was the alleged perpetrator was somewhat pleasant towards me at the end of the game as handshakes were exchanged. I believe he thought I did not get him sent off for VC yet had I seen anything he would have been walking. I was more annoyed at missing the incident and the pleasantries after the game somewhat confirmed my suspicion that it did happen.
I was never bothered about compliments or praise in the same way as I did not get bothered about after match complaints.
As I was likely to say * The game is over, sorry you feel that way. Safe home* and walk on.
I always liked from time time to read Kipling’s Poem If. Great poem for referees. Heres the opening verse

** If you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you,
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,
But make allowance for their doubting too
If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,
Or being lied about, don’t deal in lies,
Or being hated, don’t give way to hating,
And yet don’t look too good, nor talk too wise:**

As a referee I was never bothered about compliments from players as I knew that it was fickle. The young defender who sees an AR as saving the game with a call can also be moaning next week about a penalty award and the **Worst AR ever**

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Hi Barry,
great to hear from you as always. Merry Christmas and still outside games love the BC weather! lol

I echo my colleagues' feeling, when it comes to justification of our efforts. If you have integrity and you have a work ethic, then you need not get overly concerned by the comments. You will get praise and thanks your as well as curses and gritted teeth handshakes from those distressed by whatever perceptions or delusions they might be under. We learn from every match. Your credibility is always going to be questioned but measured differently given youth and adult matches can be very diffrent in context & attitudes! I often use the phrases, your match, your decision, your reputation, is a reflection of your abilities in managing a match as well as the respect you might given from others . The recent change to make a no foul, into a foul, just because a goal might ensue, has inspired an even move ardent, ball hit hand MUST be a foul choice, across the entire spectrum of football.

I know you feel justified enjoying the best AR ever praise and were feeling pleased given the coaches' comments supported it, so not trying to dissuade you from officiating.
As a general rule for entering the field and being firm, it is best not to do so unless you are dealing with VC and support for the CR. Here you just want to give the CR some useful info for him or her to consider! I fully commend you for doing what was in your mind best for the game and very happy it worked out!

Neutrality is our creed and integrity is our culture as officials but Fair play is a condition of
players and coaches attitudes and actions. Should they know and be aware something is amiss 1 (they can admit to it) or 2 (seek to rectify it.) The CR upon hearing your input is now placed in a position where he either accepts it or?? If you made it publicly obvious & you already stated it was a foul he will be hard pressed to arrive at a diffrent decision! Not that he should but as CR his decision, not yours to insist! I am glad you had a supportive CR and not one that would simply wave you off .

I do have a point in the pregame where if the CR, I ask my ARs & 4th to please be sure we GET IT RIGHT as much as humanly possible. While I agree being at distance it is unwise to insist on an event being different. I have no issue with being presented some new information that I could accept from a neutral source. If there is a stoppage for an event that is in my opinion SHADY, like the one you state, seeing a potentially CLEAR foul from distance and immediately that team scores . I would hope there is a method to communicate the event without necessarily making it clear your flag is not the stoppage! Flags raised by the AR can be mirrored by the other AR if they are held aloft with sufficient reason and the CR is not paying attention or looking your way but these should be very rare events.

This is where after EVERY score the CR should get eye contact and get a thumbs up from ALL his assistants. By your position at the half it should help indicate, we need to talk, given you are not getting ready for kick off. So when the CR turns to eye contact and sees you, a simple hand touch to your mouth, just told the CR can we talk?

Also these talks need to be private and conducted in a quiet tone outlining the reasoning. "You might not want to here this but I am 100% sure number ? Blue, deliberately propelled the ball using his fist just ahead of the goal. "As CR I would want to know which player did the deed. What if the CR said he did see it but chose to ignore it? Within reason but focused attention you saw the event, so you should be tracking as best you can to establish which player it is! Especially if you are claiming it was a cautionable action!

The great words of Kipling as a barometer for character are certainly meritorious in nature, given just about every decision you make on the FOP you get flack for it from 50% of those in attendance lol Great examples off a collection of well studied reversed slowed down videos but it is the distinguishing opinion of a referee in real time to arrive at these decisions.

Cheers and Merry Christmas