Question Number: 17047

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 10/2/2007

RE: competitive Under 15

Joel of Troutville, Va USA asks...

At a recent tournament my son and his teammate were shown a yellow card for unsporting behavior during what the referee considered an over-jubilant goal celebration.

The goal scored was the third time our number 9 had found the back of the net for a hat trick.

The previous day our clubs Director of Coaching told the boys they didn't look like the enjoyed the game. He was right. They're a pretty subdued group of U15's who, over than a high five, pat on the back and a little hooray didn't show much emotion. He later explained that he hoped they would show a real love for the game, celebrate their achievements and cheer for each others accomplishments on the pitch. He simply wanted the boys to show the same amount of emotion when they scored as they did when their favorite team won.

In celebration of number 9's hat trick and just prior to the restart, my son dropped to one knee, number 9 put his foot on my sons other knee and they did a quick "shoe shine" celebration. As many players on both sides were still out of position this celebration did not interfere with restarting the game. The spirit of the celebration was about recognizing the individual player's talent for goal scoring and not about beating the other team or demoralizing them in any way.

I am a supporter of limiting over zealous acts of celebration by athletes - having had to endure the antics of footballers in the 80's who felt it necessary to show off their dance moves and other talents in the end zone. But I also believe that limiting ones ability to recognize outstanding play and celebrate achievement can be taken too far.

Up to that point it had been a clean game with both sides demonstrating good sportsmanship.

As a referee how would you have viewed the "shoe shine" celebration?

Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

Sounds like a well rehearsed celebration and in light or the referee's decision not something I would try again.

Just because the NFL and Major League baseball allowed such nonsense in the 80's doesn't mean the match referee should allow it.

Granted the scoring of a hat trick, especially the first one, is a huge accomplishment but why does anyone have to take the chance of having a referee think you are over celebrating or delaying the restart, to me it just isn't worth it. AND there is always how it is interpreted by someone else, not just you.

Was the "shoe shine thing considered a racist act? Ever think of that one??? Exactly what did the referee hear or see, this we do not know. All we know is the referee is most displeased with this form of celebration. It is good thinking if one chooses not to repeat the act, especially in the same match!

Regards,

Answer provided by Referee Michelle Maloney

Joel, the referee can only deal with what he sees on the field. He had no way of knowing about the coach's instructions or any such things. FIFA has been on referees about curbing excessive celebration, so it is an issue to which referees are working to be more sensitive. Every referee will have a slightly different filter as to what is excessive, just as they do on what is offensive, insulting or abusive language. Your boys had a referee who for reasons we don't know felt the celebration crossed the good taste line, and it was his opinion that mattered in that game, on that day. Perhaps next time they can do a belly bump or high fives or some other well accepted demonstration?

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

See Question: 17099