Question Number: 16699

Law 6 - Assistant Referee 9/15/2007

RE: SAY Under 14

Joe of Florence, SC USA asks...

During a very physical game, one of our players was invloved in a foul and had to leave the game. A parent on our sideline started to yell at the ref and the other team's player involved in the foul. The player then yelled back at the parent. The squable continued. The asst. ref from the other side of the field came over and issued the player yelling at the parent a red card. The asst. ref is the son of the parent and brother to one of the players. Our team won the game, but can the other team protest it? We did not win until they were down a player. By the way I was ashamed by the parent's behavior and felt she should have been told to leave.

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

"SAY" I believe is the same as AYSO, which means that volunteers abound, including referees. You are more likely to find referees related to the players, when someone from the player's family is volunteering for the league.

However, an assistant referee cannot send anyone off - that is the duty of the center referee.

It sounds like altogether too much yelling was going on at this game. Remember that it is supposed to be a game for the players to have some fun, not a contest to see who has the largest pair of lungs.

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

The Assistant referee has absolutely NO authority to issue any kind of card even in AYSO. That is the sole responsibility of the referee. Parents are the number one cause we lose upwards of 44% of youth referees every year. I agree with you. Her behavior should have been dealt with especially if she was yelling at a player. As far as a protest, I don't know what kind of procedure could be followed but the player should not have been sent off

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Conduct unbecoming to a human is in my opinion a send off event much of the time althouh warnings could satisfy the occassional squabble still showing cards to non participants is not within the laws. Perhaps league policy makes up a zero tolerance bylaw where all in attendance simply turn to the offender and say it is time to go home! Confrontational situations suck because of the ugly emotions vile words and conduct that occurs. To step up to the plate and say enough is enough can at times get that plate rammed down your throat so it is always a difficult decision about when or how to get involved in settling a dispute. As a referee ask the coaches to help with touchline altercations when possible and simple refuse to conduct a match with an irrational adult in attendance unless forced to leave! A game for fun and in the spirit of fair play are but words, without action they mean nothing!!
Cheers