Question Number: 23687

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 7/19/2010

RE: Adult Under 19

Steven of Sydney, NSW Australia asks...

When a player before the game says 'this ref dosent like me ' and says things during the game simliar to this . What action should be taken or said ?

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

The player should perhaps reflect on why the ref 'doesn't like' him. What led him to that conclusion? Is it because the ref won't let the player get away with mayhem? Or won't put up with dissent?

If there is some true case of bias, due to a prior association, or even worse race or similar factors, then the player may have a case to present to the referee association. But those instances are thankfully few and far between.

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Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Referee Steven
It depends on the words, context and manner in which this is said.
If the referee believes that it is dissent which has an effect on the match or his authority then the player is cautioned. It does not matter if it is before the game or during with the only difference that the yellow card is not shown off the field of play.
Sometimes players will make silly comments to referees in these situation which is not dissent and these can be ignored or perhaps some light hearted reply can be made such as "If I agreed with you we'd both be wrong". " My hearing is as bad as my eyesight". One has to be comfortable with this approach and it has to refect the referees personality
I read on another site some comments from a US Ref
(1) Soccer is a game of passion and excitement, that often leads to strong emotions.
(2) My skin is thicker than the hide of a rhinoceros.
(3) My ears are selectively deaf, depending on the needs of the match.
(4) I prefer to use my cards to protect the players' ankles, knees, and calves, rather than to protect my own ego; and, last but not least...
(5) I'd prefer that players vent their frustrations in some way other than by hacking their opponents to bits.

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Answer provided by Referee Michelle Maloney

There are a couple of approaches - part of it will depend on your personality and comfort with talking with players and also in part on if you even know this player and his/her proclivities.

You could engage the player in a short conversation, seeking to discover the source of his feelings regarding 'this referee' and see if his issue is one that is easily explained, or you may just discover that he's a whiner, and no more time should be invested. You can employ some humor and see if he responds (see Ref McHugh's comments) and if that opens a productive dialogue.

Another approach is to be selectively deaf, and ignore the comments, but keep a watchful eye on this player, as disgruntled players can be trouble makers. The problem with this approach is if the player already has a chip on his shoulder, not dealing with it before the game can come back to bite you both.

Please note these should not be arguments, nor should they be prolonged - certainly not lasting any more than a couple of minutes. Be careful that the other team does not feel this player is receiving favoritism. If they ask, simply tell them sometimes an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

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