Question Number: 17949

Law 5 - The Referee 11/18/2007

RE: College

Randy of Hialeah, FL United States asks...

In International events, how can a referee communicate with any player? Is there a standard or mandatory language that the referees must learn in order to speak with any player that speaks a different language?

Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

When I have traveled abroad to referee I just learn some of the words I'll need on the field. Every referee just knows body language as a part of being alive and that is universal. With body language, whistle tone and a few words in each language spoken by the teams things are really easy. The language of Football is universal, EXCEPT in America. Any other country the players just know what you want.

To toss the coin I have a black and white sided disk or a US Dollar coin. If I have learned "heads or tails in the air please" I use the dollar otherwise the light/dark disk chooses the winner without a spoken word. In the four languages of Football "Captain" sounds nearly the same so you just need "come here please". Numbers are easy, everyone counts fingers, just make sure you use the method they use.

If you have to take some one's name knowing "Name please" in the two languages is useful. Their number is written on their jersey so that's no problem. Cards speak a universal language so that's no problem either. Signals for throw-in, goal kick and corner are the same world wide, goal is different but usually everyone knows a goal has been scored so that's no sweat either. Offside is shown by making a line if they don't know what you whistled. You might want to differentiate the signal for a throw-in and free kick early on in the match so they are used to how you signal each. I tend to show a free kick parallel to the floor and a throw-in at a 45 degree angle and I have never had a problem with those after the first few minutes.

Before and after the match you must not touch players with the left hand in some countries lest you insult them. Sometimes players will offer you a hand when substituted to waste a few seconds, in a close match you might not add on time, so be warned.

It is an honor to represent all American referees in another country, and represent them you do -- that's why you'll write US Soccer and seek permission to referee abroad. If you're on the International Panel permission is not needed, just a passport and a FIFA stamp so there's no problem with visas and the like when travelling to matches.

The fun part of working in other places is folks remember you as a referee, they walk up to you in the strangest places and thank you for your time. I am amazed how many folks remember matches I have done and they seem pleased with what I did and how I did it.

Regards,