Question Number: 15209

Character, Attitude and Control 4/17/2007

RE: 1st grade Adult

mark of SYDNEY, nsw australia asks...

can i ask a ref a question about one of his ruleings while the game has been stopped for a moment.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Hi Mark,
It hurts to say this but the short answer is you could but there is NO guarantee you are in for an answer! Debate is for the legislature not the soccer field!

Referees as individuals have their own comfort zone!
In a reasonable world, comprised of reasonable people, a reasonable question, asked at a reasonable time, could elect a reasonable answer! Lots of reasoning going on here but truth is it depends on the clarity and character of those in question. Look around just how reasonable is the world at times?

As a COACH myself our captains are instructed to ask the referee if they can please ask for clarification if and when time permits. WE get an ok , then we try to use it only if truly required, not pestering at every opportunity! If we get a sullen or morose, "Do not bother me just play! we follow that request to the letter. A referee is a match condition you adapt and get on with it. But ALWAYS in a polite even tone no disrepect or sarcasam or anger! We ask in frustration the referee generally returns the favour in an unfavourable way!
Just to confirm a colleague's view it is a MYTH the captains have any special status but a good refere knows how to lmake a captain be a part of his man management strategy

As an official I am very open to dispensing information BUT ONLY if at an appropriate time and of my choosing!
It depends on the temperment of the match. Things can become pretty heated and the tone and manner of a question or a response is not always well recieved.
At the youth level I feel strongly the teaching aspect of the game between the coach and referee they should be on the same side, that is onside with the benifit of the youth in their charge as a common goal!

The level of experiance , the number of good or bad habits developed within that time provide a referee with the means to cope or shut down when an exchange of information is requested or even required as a needed remedy for match control. Dissent and a what was that? question are the same animal in a different skin far too often.

My advice is you can try in a polite manner to ask.
What the referee does may well reflect on the manner in how you frame the question!
Cheers

Answer provided by Referee Ben Mueller

Nope. The referee does not need to explain his calls. He can if so wishes, but is not obligated to. Despite popular myth, captains also do not have this right. If the referee wishes to explain to a captain, then he can.

Answer provided by Referee Steve Montanino

Yes. The player can ask the referee anything they wish at any time they wish... of course, this is not a right you have by any means, and if you ask the wrong question you might get a yellow card for it. You may also make the referee cross which could also negatively affect your team. If you use the wrong

I would read carefully the advice my collegues have provided above, it's wise and prudent. Soccer is not a democracy, nor a cheerocricy, it is a game controlled by the laws - referee's enforce the law and some referee's act like Judge Dredd (judge, jury, executioner)! And just like Judge Dredd said, "I am the law!"

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

Hi Mark. You may but this does not entitle you to any response. In fact, depending upon how the question is asked, you could be asked to leave the field of play. I usually tell coaches that if I am approached in a respectful and non-antagonistic manner at the half or after a game, I am more than happy to dicuss any call I may or may not have made. During the game not so. If it's at a stoppage, there are still things going on so I may be unable to respond or have to respond with just a word or two.