Question Number: 16096

Law 5 - The Referee 7/24/2007

RE: Comp Adult

Ryan of Flower Mound, Texas USA asks...

Dear Referee Panel,

I have two questions about referee ethics. First, if you are at a tournament where one of your games is a scheduled forfeit would it be unethical to go do another match in the same time slot and get paid for both matches?

Second, as a spectator what kind of ethical boundaries apply to referees watching a match? At youth matches friends and family always ask me about referee decisions and I give them straight answers, never anything that would discredit the referee. But how should I react when a referee makes a blatant error on the field? Obviously I am not going to stand up and shout, but when someone asks me what the laws of the game say I am going to tell them what it does say. What action should I take? Would I be better off keeping my mouth closed? Also, is it unethical for referees to wear clothing that identifies them as a referee while watching a game? Thanks for the advice.

Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

Well Ryan if you're in it for the money and can work things out so you're paid for something you didn't actually do you're going to make a bundle. But, there's always a but isn't there, you're there to enforce the Law, not to bend it so this is really something I would leave to politicians. Normal people just don't do this.

I dress in warm-ups when watching someone else's match. Everyone knows who I am so hiding is not really possible. When they ask the canned answer is "It's his match, his decision and his reputation". They ask again and I just tell them after the match please or it's his opinion that counts, whether I would have done the same thing depends on what I saw from where he was at the instant he saw whatever it was he saw. Usually that's enough double talk to get the point across. We're not going to discuss his decision just the same as I wouldn't like him discussing mine.

From the Referee Administrative Handbook, US Soccer:

THE REFEREE COMMITMENT

The U. S. Soccer Federation National Program for Referee Development, through the involvement of each referee, is recognized by players, coaches, and administrators as a program which consistently provides excellence in officiating and displays the highest level of professionalism through service and dedication.
To accomplish this, I, as a referee, am committed to:

1. Officiating matches in a fair and safe manner that ensures players and spectator enjoyment.

2. Maintaining my physical fitness for peak performance.

3. Faithfully keeping all appointments assigned to and accepted by me.

4. Supporting my fellow officials with loyalty, pride, and dignity.

5. Conducting myself in a way to be ethically and morally beyond reproach.

6. Granting players and coaches dignity and self-respect.

7. Contributing to the overall development of the National Program for Referee Development.

8. Remaining committed to a continuous learning and improvement process that enables me to perform to my full potential.

Regards,

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Hi Ryan,
blatant error that could get a game replayed you could try and sneak in word to the AR as an overheard comment? I wonder why is the referee awarding a PK against the keeper for the ball handled outside the penalty area??? If the AR can get the drift he might have a word with the CR. But as my colleague suggests we best refrain from touchline refereeing and perhaps write down a few points to discuss after if the referee is receptive. Educate on the laws is fine but opinions as to what a referee does on the pitch must not undermine the referee in question as it increases dissent and unrest if those seeking to do so place the reason on your say so!
cheers

Answer provided by Referee Michelle Maloney

Ryan, if it was okay for your assignor to pay you for the forfeit and this person also understood you would be doing another game in that time spot, maybe that's okay - like Chuck, I think that is walking a very fine line. As for the dressing as a referee while a spectator, what is the purpose of that? It might confuse the referee, if he sees you somewhere an AR shouldn't be. It invites questions from the crowd deliberately pitting whatever you say against the referee, which is an ethical violation (you have read the referee Code of Ethics, right?). If you intend to upgrade, wearing your referee uniform in the gallery of someone else's game is heavily frowned upon since you are expected to set the higher standard. In short, don't go there (but warmups, or T-shirt and shorts - no socks pulled up are okay)! As for commenting on what the referee has called or is doing, like Chuck, do hold your tongue - discretion being the better part of valor. Invariably, they misunderstand and go tell the referee you said X and so, whether you did or not, and now you're in hot water in at least two places!

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

"He must have seen something we didn't" often works to deflect people asking for your opinion on a call or non-call. Sometimes you can define the points of the Laws without overtly criticizing your fellow ref for not abiding by those Laws. The old adage comes to mind, if you can't say something good don't say anything. There is nothing gained by telling other spectators that someone out on the field has screwed up. You may have a chance to talk with the ref privately after the game, if he is willing to discuss calls with you. Remember though, that you are not an assessor for his game, and your comments could be construed as dissent rather than help.

I know a fellow who got paid 3 times for working one game. The first game was cancelled due to weather, but our league rules state that referees who come to the field are to be paid. He then was assigned to the makeup for that game at a later date, but one of the teams could not field enough players, so he was paid simply to note that and sign the game sheet. Then, as he was available and my game was missing an AR, he came across to the adjacent field and was paid for finally working. That's not quite the same thing as the tournament situation, though. I'd tell an assignor or ref supervisor of the situation, and if they then decided to pay you the double fee, take it with thanks!

I work games at parks without changing facilities, and so arrive at the field in uniform. Since we are expected to be early for our matches, inevitably there will be a game already in progress. For a short while, I will be in uniform on the sideline, stretching or warming up, while the other game finishes. If it is cooler weather, I would be wearing a jacket or warmup over my jersey - but I'm not going to put on a sweatshirt if it's broiling summer sun. I would never wear a uniform to a game that I simply intended to watch.

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

See Question: 16139