Question Number: 16706

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 9/15/2007

Steve Shuler of Bryant, AR USA asks...

This question is a follow up to question 16676

Mr. Fleischer,

Regarding your comments on question # 16676: I asked the question in genuine hopes of generating opinions that would challenge my philosophy on officiating. I wanted to make sure that I'm calling games accurately and in accordance with all the Laws of the Game. Referees Voshol and Dawson gave me what I was looking for -- an intelligent, reasonable argument against my views, and even presented how my terminology might have been a bit off. You on the other hand, said, in a nutshell, "You don't agree with us? Why don't you stop officiating?" How dare you tell me to leave the game I've worked my entire life to further? Here's a thought: why don't you stop responding unless you have something intelligent to say? Dawson and Voshol worked to read the question and respond in a way that will create better referees. You responded to say that it's your way or the highway. Understand that I won't be able to read your responses on the website and assign the same level of credibility I previously did. Your answer was insulting, disappointing, unintelligent and borderline irresponsible. I am sad that such an advanced referee as yourself feels it necessary to tell people to leave the game if they don't see it your way. I hope this e-mail in some way makes you think before you speak (or type).

Sincerely, Steve Shuler.

Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

Actually I said if you don't agree with what we have said go to US Soccer's website and Ask A Referee. After that I said if you disagree with their answer [which will be essentially the same as 16676] then get out of the business. It was a simple statement of fact. It was necessary to get your attention. I now have your attention. You as referee are expected to judge when a player deliberately handles the ball and when the ball handles him. I say again, check with US Soccer and see what their policy is regarding the subject and adjust accordingly. If you disagree with their policy then you should not hold a US Soccer license.

The problem is when a referee invents something he thinks is correct spectators latch onto it and treat it as gospel. When another referee does something in accordance with the Law and policy he is made to look the fool by "inventive" referees who think their compliance with the Law is an option. It is not, you are there to enforce it. Do so. And, yes I thought about what I typed. Now it lays to you to seek additional information on the subject, do as that additional information instructs you to do or seek other avenues. You are free to quote me when you ask US Soccer, you are also free to name this site as the source of your bewilderment or anger.

The bottom line is you are expected to know when a player has deliberately handled the ball and when the ball has handled him. That is why you are sent out there to judge the match and you are expected to judge it in accordance with what is correct in Law. Anything else is a detriment to The Game.

Regards,

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

Steve,

We are all volunteers answering these questions to Educate and Amuse. We do our best to answer according to the Laws of the Game and the directions and opinions passed down to us by FIFA/IFAB and our national associations. Sometimes we get a question where panel members disagree amongst ourselves, and in such cases we often go to our national official sources to get an opinion.

This was not the case in your question on deliberate handling. All panel members were in agreement. We took our answers directly from the words in the Laws, and from instruction that we have received over the years we have been referees.

Ref Fleischer answered your question by saying, if you don't believe us, you can ask the USSF officially. And if you don't want to referee in accordance with that answer, then you should give up your badge. In no way was he saying or implying that this site was the definitive word.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Hi Steve,
while Ref Volshol and I appreciate the kind words our colleague and friend Ref Fleischer is being roasted over the coals and drawn and quartered. One must always consider the effect in trying to make a statement or message that the content might be less than desirable or taken in the wrong context. I consider the opinion and advice of Ref Fleischer without reservation as useful and on target. If you fail to heed his advise as being beneficial because he uses a brick instead of a leaf that will be your loss eventually. If it is sarcastic, caustic or raises the hackles at times it is the response he likely was trying for. In agreeing to disagree on somethings we all need to be reminded of the sense of worth in ourselves and each other by rattling the cage of order and getting the attention of those glass eyes that often fail to focus on what is important. You rose to the challenge and likely earned the respect of our fearless leader and editor Ref Fleischer. As a personal opinion, like the dissent from the touchlines some we ignore, some we consider, some we cannot allow and sometimes we can not understand why! Ref Fleischer is the way he is the same as why we are the way we are !
Cheers