Question Number: 19972

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 9/16/2008

RE: Varsity Boys High School

Joe of Gallia, Ohio United States asks...

This question is a follow up to question 17086

My son received a red card this evening, after an opposing team player shoved him to the ground. My son cursed at the other player and the referee heard. The opposing team player received a yellow card. Is this a fair punishment? My son has to sit out for 2 full games. What are the Ohio HS soccer rules.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Joe I am hesitant to go into USA high school rules because they like to add or do things that the FIFA laws seem not to apply.

I will tell you this *FAIR* is a relative term to the conduct you describe. The referee is a MATCH condition and unless he misapplies the law his decisions on facts of play are final because he is entrusted as a neutral official to make those decisions.
The send off for foul and abusive langue is likely the reason the referee used to document the action taken. Cursing is a habit easily formed and very difficult to break. Perhaps this referee has a low tolerance to such outbursts or the school has asked such antics be clamed down on. Perhaps your son cursed then threatened or argued with the referee or has some history with that referee earlier in the match. I was not there I have no way of ascertaining why the referee decided it REQUIRED action we only know that he did. IF the referee had decided to caution the opposing player for his recklessness, your son needed to remain calm and wait for the referee to act rather than react himself in anger. It seems the referee decided the push was a cautionable action but the retaliation by your son likely angered him BECAUSE as the referee HE WAS DEALING with it! The outburst while to me unless he screamed it loud and often is not something I would feel pressured to send off a player for but who knows what league directives might be in force.

As a Coach myself, I ask my players to keep their mouths shut unless they are communicating to each other, ears open and report to me, never address the referee only our captain will do that and we clear that with the referee at the pregame so we do it in the manner he wants. Do not retaliate, let the referee make his decisions and see where he goes and how he manages the difficulties without us adding to them. If we dislike them we keep it to ourselves unless it requires our captain to point out something we feel must be pointed out such as a misapplication of law.
Here the referee had an opinion on a fact of play, as such it is doubtful your son will be able to anything except sit for the two games/ Best advise quietly retaliate by scoring more goals less chance of trouble and a better result!
Cheers

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

NFHS rules have no tolerance for language. This is because the playing field is considered an extension of the classroom, another venue for education. What wouldn't be acceptable in class is not acceptable on the field.

All players must learn to let the referee deal with issues rather than taking matters into their own hands, either through physical retaliation or verbal assaults. School sports in particular are a place to learn self-discipline as well as promoting althleticism.

Answer provided by Referee Steve Montanino

The high school rules have a ZERO tolerance for that sort of language. Regardless of what might be 'fair' as it relates to the push the referee is really going to have to disqualify your son for using that 'kinda talk.'

If the opposing player's push was really only worthy of a yellow card, then I think it would be equally 'unfair' to increase his punishment because your son reacted outside of the rules and got himself a red.

Now, on face value, it seems to me that perhaps this is 'unfair' and I can see how it would leave a bad taste in your mouth, but DO NOT blame the referee, he is simply applying the rules as set forth by the NFHS. You can always petiton to have the rule changed.