Question Number: 17367

League Specific 10/17/2007

RE: Competitive Division II Under 13

Garren of San Antonio, TX US asks...

Quick question - We went to a game, U12 and there was only one referee for the game. We played the game and ended up losing, but for future reference can a team refuse to play if there is only one referee. I know at some competitive levels that is the case.

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

That will depend on your league policy - you will have to ask them. In our league, missing AR's are replaced by club lines. If no referee at all appears, the teams decide on a suitable replacement - a coach or parent - but only for recreational leagues or very low-level competitive games.

Many areas don't have enough referees to assign more than one to U12 games. I think that's a shame, because U12 can provide a pretty good training ground for new AR's.

Answer provided by Referee Ben Mueller

That is up to the league. In most cases, it is ok to play with less than 3 officials. This does make it a lot harder on the referees part though. Would you be happy if you drove 1 hour for a game that was cancelled due to having only 1 referee?

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

League policy dictates. Here, it's a fine to the home league if there are not 3 referees for any select match

Answer provided by Referee Michelle Maloney

Since you are from South Texas, I can answer with a degree of understanding and information, Garren. For many years here, the youth associations have had rules in place requiring a referee and two assistants on every match, in conformity with the USSF requirements. Sometimes, due to a chronic shortage of referees, it just isn't possible. In some areas, that meant the visiting team could pack up, go home and reschedule the game at their own field, with no penalty. That has changed somewhat in recent years. The WDDOA (Western District Division One Assoc.) implemented a rule a couple of years ago (at my urging) which allowed games to go forward without a full crew if absolutely necessary. The referee assignors use only the best referees in the area and most of them can credibly do a first quality game alone if necessary. It saves so much time and money and almost never makes a true difference in the outcome of the game. I believe this has become pretty standard across much of South Texas. So, there may not be a concise answer to your question. The referee association has tried to help in every way we can, but sometimes politics trump sense and sometimes competing interests just can't find good common ground.