Question Number: 18971

Law 3 - Number of Players 5/3/2008

RE: Instructional/Recreational Under 11

Laurie Melson of Milton, Delaware USA asks...

Can a coach be removed from the game for inappropriate behavior such as yelling to his players "Knock the little girl down!"? And if so, whose decision is it to remove him?

Thank you.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Hi Laurie,
a coach is under obligation in law to act responsibly! A referee is under obligation to ensure the laws of the game are upheld. If a coach acts inappropriately a referee has the discrestionary power to warn to behave and or order him from the pitch in disgrace.
The league has an obligation to monitor and record and to ACT upon such incidents to ensure they are not repeated and perhaps a new coach is found! Failure to do anything could ensure the parent of that little girl pays that coach a visit that will lead to even bigger issues!
Cheers

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Answer provided by Referee Michelle Maloney

Sigh. I do hope the referee handed the coach his walking papers, reported it to the league, and followed up with the assignor to find out if this coach was doing any more games in the near future, so the assignor could put appropriately strict referees on his games. Sometimes, coaches use an unfortunate turn of phrase, saying one thing when they meant something else, but less often than one would think. However, "Knock the little girl down." is hard to misinterpret. Double sigh.

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Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

It's the center referee's decision. If I heard a coach yell this he would be dismissed from the field for acting in an irresponsible, not to mention despicable, manner. The game of soccer does not need coaches like this.

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Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

I have even gone into the stands and told spectators that unless they go home the match is over after espousing this act of violence. Anyone who tries this on a match I am referee of will leave or be the cause of the match ending there and then, it is that simple... Leave the raiders fan crap in Oakland.

Regards,

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Answer provided by Referee Gene Nagy

Laurie, The game of soccer has been called: "A game for gentlemen, played by ruffians." (This is in contrast to rugby, which is; "A game for ruffians, played by gentlemen.") Well, we have strict Laws for these ruffians! For example they can't even swear on the pitch! Coaches and spectators are expected to be on their best behaviour as well. Now if they paid $50 to watch the game, that's different. Security looks after them. But at a my local park, during my game NOBODY says things like that and stays to watch the rest of the game!

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The following questions were asked as a follow up to the above question...

See Question: 18994