Question Number: 15557

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 5/21/2007

RE: Division 2 Travel Under 13

Coach D of Boston, MA USA asks...

I have a question concerning a call that arose in a recent game. As the opposing team was bringing up the ball, my forward went to the ball, yelling 'pressure' to tell the mids to move up and press up close to the opponents. The Ref immediately whistled, yelled at the player "Unsportsmanlike behavior" and showed her the yellow. My player (age 11) left in teams. If there was an explanation beyond that, I certainly didn't hear it. I guess I don't the difference between a field player yelling out directions and a say, a keeper telling directing players? I'm also not sure how this become deserving of a yellow card. Please help this confused coach. I personally thought it was harsh yelling at the young girl when a simple explanation should suffice, but then again, I think of this as a learning experience, meant to be fun and the love for the game, while this ref may have been thinking he was coaching U19's

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

The referee evidently thought your player's call was intended to deceive or distract the opponents, rather than direct her teammates. In that case, it is misconduct for unsporting behavior, a caution and yellow card.

I recall my daughter's coach explaining the difference to the players about shouting and yelling. Shouting is simply increased volume used to get the message across over the din of the game. Yelling is emotional. Shouting is appropriate; yelling not. We only have your description of how the ref handled the incident. Maybe he was more abrupt than needed, but you had to be there.

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

Hi Coach. I'll agree this is pretty severe for an 11 year old that in all probability was doing nothing wrong. Was the referee, perhaps, from across the pond? The Brits seem to believe that any field player yelling anything is automatically USB. The Law states that if a player yells and somehow disadvantages an opponent, it is misconduct. I wasn't there but I fail to see how this was USB. Tell your player a yellow card's not the end of the world and if you get a referee that issues one for this make sure the rest of your players don't repeat the perceived offence.