Question Number: 15947

League Specific 7/5/2007

RE: Under 17

Mjichelle of St Eustache, qc Canada asks...

I've coached for a few years but this is the first time I'm considering a protest. After the game last night I ask the ref to explain some calls he had made during the game. On of them was about Obstruction. He saw that a player pulled on a jersey. So I ask if it was a direct or a direct so I asked why he demonstrated an indirect by holding his arm staight above. He said that is was to point the direction. His arm was clearly up the ball never touched another player before entering the goal..not even the goaler touched it. The players where for the most confused about the call and I would like to know if this is a protest matter. It was a great match aside from this call and unfortunatly the attitude of the ref who at first simply walked away...I said hey I just want an explation, He was not polite in is was to speaking and did in the end walked away. All because I asked an explanation...Then I asked for the sheet saying I had a comment and may do a protest. He gave it to me and kept comming back to get it leaving me not much time to fill it up. How long to I really have to write something...5, 10 or 15 minutes..The girls on the team who where on the field kept saying I should file a protest..the other ref said...hey he know the rules look he's a regional ref..and I said yes but everyone can make mistakes and it would have been much more simple to just explain without beeing confrontating. I understand the importance of a ref in a game, the fair play and good sportsmanship. I just can't stant it when a ref abuses of authority and becomes inpolite or has a negative attitude.

Answer provided by Referee Jon Sommer

If you are expecting us to get stuck into this referee, you have come to the wrong place. Do I beleive for a minute that you were that calm when talking to this official, who has obviously proved himself for his qualifications? No, I don't. You try standing out there, then get a barrage of questions from a coach afterwards. He isn't obliged to answer you either during or after a match.

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

I agree with my colleague's interpretation of the situation. The words you have written here after a day's rest aren't calm and collected. I really doubt your attitude was any more polite or positive than you accuse the ref.

I'm not sure why you are talking about Obstruction. First, that offense has been known as Impeding the Progress of an Opponent for 10 years now. And then you talk about pulling on the shirt - that's a direct kick foul of holding.

If the ref used a signal by mistake that caused your team to lose a game, then you have the right to protest. You need to check your league's requirements for filing a protest. They can't expect you to write it out on the game record at the field, while the ref waits for you. The ref may have another game scheduled or another commitment, and has to leave. Two of the leagues I work with have a check-box on the form that the coaches sign: "Is this game being protested?" If the coach wants to protest, he checks Yes and then later files his claim, along with a monetary fee which is returned if the protest is upheld.

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

Impeding the progress of an opponent is what "obstruction" is called now. However, you state the referee called holding which, as you rightly point out, is a direct kick foul. The referee says he was indicating direction. You say he was holding his arm up signalling an indirect free kick. If he was, it's possibly protestable but why bother? You are blaming the loss on one call. How many shots on goal did your team miss? How many bad passes? How many times were players out of position? How many times was an attack called off due to a foolish offside? the list is endless. Judging by your tone, I'd have to agree I find it hard to believe you approached this referee in a calm and polite manner.

Answer provided by Referee Ben Mueller

The referee does not have to explain his calls to anyone. If he was, he was going out of his way and doing more work than he is requiered. As far as the sheet you signed, that's a local policy and thus I have no idea how long you have to fill it out. It sounds as if the correct application of a dfk was made by the referee. If the referee held his hand in a verticla position during the kick and the ball went in w/o touching anyone, it should have been a rekick (ref error).