Question Number: 14970

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 3/10/2007

RE: Under 17

James Mikko of Traverse City, Michigan USA asks...

A group of players is complaining about how I have been refereeing the game. I tell one player that I was in charge and that I did not want to hear anymore complaining. When I am finished, I hear another player on the same team say "WE DO NOT WANT TO HEAR YOU." I blew my wistle and handed this player a yellow card. This player was talking trash through out the game. Did I do the right thing or should I have done nothing?

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

Why are you allowing a group of players to complain to you in the first place? The player that yelled at you should have been sent off and shown the red card for insulting and offensive language. You chose to issue a caution which is your right. The fact that you were even thinking of doing nothing makes me think you let these players get away with way too much during the course of the game.

Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

Another way to sort this one involves something few referees have mastered, sarcasm. You have a go at him, complain about how he is playing, how many shots he has missed, etc. When he resists that just say he opened the door to this one, is it closed again?

He usually gets the point. If not time for a booking or a sending-off.

Regards,

Answer provided by Referee Ben Mueller

It is within your right to caution or send off a player after the game. You can display the card and record the info. Everything you did was fine.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Hi James,
People like to mouth off!
Do you enjoy listening to it?
If it becomes unbearable the time to do something about it has actually long past!
Preventive refereeing and understanding that respect for the position of referee and for the individual in that position are seperate commodities that like any consumer goods can get trashed if care is not taken to market and package the product.

Look the part, play the part an official in charge of the SAFETY of 22 players is a responsibility.
Calm, confident and composed try not to look flustered even if the guts feel like spinning their way up your throat. Like a ducks feet churrning the water when floating ever so calmly effortlessly on top.

As the central authority you do not need to act like a mini Hitler just be Fair not perfect, Firm not overbearing and Forwarned that despite your best efforts things will be what they will be! You need to be what you need to be in those situations. Yes we can smile, interject humour, a touch of sarcasam, flattery, even get down right angry but a referee with integrity sees what he sees and calls it the same for all.

I know it is easy to say hard to do, being doing it awhile so I get what it is like. It totally sucks when you bust your butt and get hosed by those watching and participating trying to play you.
Backbone and personality are the two essential ingrediants to any referee. But your character must reflect effort, knowledge, compassion, integrity and courage to apply the laws correctly
Blow the bloody whistle when you need their attention.
Show the cards if they fail to hear it!
Send them away if they cannot accept it!

Football is a beautiful game. Human emotions are a volitile explosion of feelings that can enhance or detract that beauty. We want what we want as coach, player, fan or spectator and we expect you to give it to us as you are perfect and if you are not perfect you obviously favour the other team. I am kidding, but only sort of, you must realize as referee you do not NEED anything from the result of the match but all others will.

The competative drive to do well, understanding that dissent, controversey and fear stems from that need will help you place the reactions in a compassionate view and how hard you must step in, out or on reflects that man management stratagey you eventually come up with.

We talk a lot about the spirit of the laws and the concept of fair play on this site, on the field we display it, we cherish it, we demand it !
Cheers