Question Number: 12204

Character, Attitude and Control 2/14/2006

RE: Professional

Liam Horan of Tralee, Ireland asks...

If a player is agreeved with a ref's decision and he vents his anger by shouting at the ref, he will usually be booked, and rightly so, however if several members of a team souround a ref and collectivly abuse the ref all genrealy escape a caution. would it not be better to book all these players in this type of situtation, as it would not hapen too often if this line was folloewed by all refs, and why are the at present allowed to get away with it.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Although I referee I also, play, coach and spectated as a rabid fan. When we wear all coats, even if we take the time and realize the necessity of ensuring we wear only the appropriate one, we are cognizant of the needs and demands of the others.

Passion and emotion, the desire and unfortunately the pressure and NEED to do well places a huge conditional reflex on the match by everyone EXCEPT a referee who 's concern is not with the match result but rather the outcome of player and game satisfaction.

It is an art more than science to meld player safety, game management and apply the laws so that those watching can see the beauty of the beautiful game.

When confronted by a mob of players it is important to have thought of the mechanics with your ARs as to how to approach this situation, how it might be diffused and what to do if it becomes more than it should. While it sounds trite to book every player who disagrees with us might not be the greatest or smartest move.

I am with Ref Marco on this, the guy MOST in my face gets my MOST attention.

Showing compassion is not a weakness but it must be strengthened with resolve to manage a match in the BEST interests of the game and the best interest of the players. Yes, some players make it difficult but a referee can not shirk his duty to the game by staying peeved at the antics of players who are faced with far different expectations than a referee!

A referee with integrity calls what he sees but understands others might see it differently. In the end either we agree to disagree and move on or we take the action needed to do so. Cheers