Question Number: 17072

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 10/3/2007

RE: competitive High School

Paul of west jordan, utah usa asks...

I'm sure it is illegal, but I couldn't find anything in the rules that actually addresses it. We were playing a jv game and were awarded a free kick. The opposing team set up a wall and their coach yelled at them to get on each other's shoulders to stand in the wall. The ref told them to get down, but their coach became incensed saying it was not against the rules. I think it is stupid, but is it illegal?
Thanks,
Paul

Answer provided by Referee Steve Montanino

This sort of behavior is not permitted. Those players actions would be bringing the game into disrepute and failure to abide by the referee's request to get down off their teammate's shoulders could very easily result in a caution and yellow card for unsporting conduct.

This coach is pulling at strings and the referee should have also cautioned the coach once he became "incensed" as it is very clear he was behind this maneuver. Couple that fact with irrate behavior and you have at least a caution and a possible disqualification to boot.

That coach must think he's very clever, but luckily there are referees there to prevent stupid coaches from ruining a good sport.

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

Gotta love coaches. This is clearly unsporting behavior and punishable by a caution and showing of the yellow card. After further outbursts, the coach gets to leave the vicinity of play.

Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

Look at NFHS high school soccer rules 12.8.4.a and see if there is something there that may preclude bringing The Game into disrepute from happening again, at least in that match.

Regards,

Answer provided by Referee Michelle Maloney

Your instincts are correct, Paul. This type of behavior is unsporting at best and is really unacceptable - much like a goalkeeper putting the ball under his jersey to run the length of the field. Any player refusing to comply with the referee's request/order should have been cautioned. A coach who felt the need to be disrespectful simply demonstrated from whence his players had learned how to be unsporting, and should also have been cautioned - at a minimum. I might have been tempted to send him off - one caution for yelling at me, and one for exhorting his team to perform an unsporting act bringing the game, his team, and himself into disrepute.