Question Number: 15898

Character, Attitude and Control 6/27/2007

RE: Under 16

Kyle Kenney of Kingston, Canada asks...

(This is an example scenario)

Let's say a coach gets vigorously chirpy and I walk over to him and tell him to calm down or to explain a call. But he doesnt shut up and still argues..

I walk away, and he still nags at me throughout the game.. so I go back to talk to him then he pushes me to the ground.

Do I forfeit the game and give the opposing team the win? Or what's the proper call?

Answer provided by Referee Jon Sommer

A referee can not decided the outcome of a game. If you abandon the game due to this coach, which you are well within your right to do, then you must send a detailed report to the league and FA. It is them that then makes the decision as to points awarded etc etc

Answer provided by Referee Ben Mueller

The coach should have been disqualified after the next outburst after he was warned. You report the incident as referee assault. You report it immediatly right after match. Send a copy to your assignor, league president, district/regional referee admin, SRA, state youth refere admin, district administrator, and anyone else involved with the game. If the situation gets calmed down, then you can restart the match after the coach is removed completly from play. Else, the match is terminated.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Hi Kyle,
A referee does not award wins or losses he simply officiates via the laws of the game and records the necessary data in the match report. The leagues decide what actions are to be taken!

Football is a passionate, emotional game; we expect some dissent, some controversy, some reasonable discourse in agreeing to disagree. While we could tolerate some it is very difficult to ignore repeated personalized and vocalized outbursts. Comments that border on outright abuse have no place in a kids match and ANY physical action must NOT be allowed to escape unnoticed. I suggest police action, life time bans for direct confrontation where an adult lays his hands on a kid. Sure we see the utter garbage allowed at the elite level but they too cross lines , are expelled by referees and their respective leagues level fines and sanctions. My feeling is at the recreational level it should be stricter not less.

I always try to encourage or foster a good working relationship with coaches when refereeing. I also coach; I get the deal behind motivation, disappointment, viewing things from a personal perspective. I also have strong views on the mentoring and examples we as coaches must set for the youth under our care. If I feel a coach is not respecting his coaching role by his actions as a referee I am obligated to point out as a warning or remind him of the consequences of unreasonable actions. If he is obtuse or physical then send him off or terminate the match if he refuses to leave because in law he must leave if you request it! You write the circumstances fully in your match report.
Cheers

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

Kyle: maybe Richard can shed some light but unless things are way different in Canada, you have no authority to declare a winner. You may terminate the game but all you do is write a report and give it to the proper authorities. That said, this should have not taken place. If a coach is arguing with you, don't walk away. Tel him in no uncertain terms he is to limit what he says to tactical advice to his team. If he persists, tell him you are not restarting the game until he has left and he is not to return. Then it's up to him. If he persists, give him a few minutes and then terminate the game. If he strikes you, get out of there asap and include details in your report.

Answer provided by Referee Steve Montanino

Perhaps things are different in Canada, but if a coach pushed me with enough force to unearth me and knock me to the ground, I would probably summon the police (Mounties where you are?) and press criminal charges of assault or battery against the coach. This cannot be tolerated.

Regarding the coach's behavior prior to that I think you should have warned him and upon repetition you should have told him to pack up his things and go! This coach doesn't deserve to take part in coaching in my opinion if he wants to behave that way.