Question Number: 16961

Law 5 - The Referee 9/28/2007

RE: Adult

Robert Reynolds of Kingsland, GA USA asks...

In the US Women's team's most recent defeat to Brazil, Shannon Boxx received a second yellow card and subsequent red causing her to be ejected from the game. From replays, all you could see was that the Brazilian player tripped over the bakc of Boxx's feet. Is this truly a foul, or should the referee conferred with a linesman due to the fact that she was paying attention to the ball which was almost on the other side of the field?

Answer provided by Referee Michelle Maloney

Perhaps the referee felt Boxx extended her foot backward to trip the player. It is impossible to know what was going through the referee's mind, or what she saw that caused her to make that call. All we can do at this point is review the tapes, and discuss the how's and why's and ways to make sure we can make a correct call in the future if faced with a similar situation. The Swiss Miss is not a favorite of the US team, given prior performances, that's for sure. It was her game, her call and unfortunately, her reputation - a reflection on all referees - a heavy burden referees at that level carry.

Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

The referee should have had the opportunity to view the interaction of the players concerned. Perhaps had she viewed the coming together from a different angle she would have come to a different conclusion. Again the match referee is a condition of play and if a team is unable to adjust to that condition that side will suffer the consequences. One might note the referee choose her position in an effort to follow play where another referee might well have anticipated play and chosen another angle so seeing the event would have been easier when the ball changes directions.

We all strive to have a position when we can see through play to an assistant, unfortunately the referee on that match seemed to choose a position that was more in the middle of the field were less movement is required, perhaps because of the hot conditions at the match. One can only hazard a guess as to what governed the choices made that day.

Regards,