Question Number: 15528

Character, Attitude and Control 5/19/2007

RE: competitive Under 15

Don Mogorit of Fort Collins, Colorado USA asks...

This question is a follow up to question 15505

I would like to know if you (Ben Mueller) had a chance to review question #15485 before answering to #15505? I totally agree that spectator harrassment of referees is a big problem, but we were the visiting team and, in this case, it was not something that I could address DURING this match. The initial question was about the conduct of the Center Referee and his reaction to the unfolding events. Thank you.

Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

Don the bottom line isn't whether or not Ref Mueller reviewed the question or not but the referee in 14585 could, well, have reacted to the screaming parents and his decisions reflected their attitude. We said there are things a referee can do when administering discipline, this one did not. I offered a possible reason for his manner. There are five sides to everything happening on the field, those of two sets of spectators, those of the two sets of coaches and those of the referee crew. On the referee crew one opinion counts and the referee may or may not act the way you desire. He may not take the advice of an assistant, though he is supposed to

Some referees act negatively to the "Help" of parents. Some referees think that by continuing a match being interfered with by parents it is good for the match. I do not, if parents interfere the match should be stopped and they should be removed before the match continues.

During a match a substitute can be sent to the other side with a message from you. Keep your parents under control!! All of us will be better served when that happens.