Question Number: 17360

Character, Attitude and Control 10/17/2007

RE: Park League Adult

Iain Bagwell of Atlanta, GA USA asks...

This question is a follow up to question 17331

Thanks to all who answered the original Question. It gives me an insight into your interpretations. In 30 years of playing I have never been so much as yellow carded, so this came as disappointment and surprise at the time.

My follow up is this: Was the referee being consistent? In as much as there were more direct & in my opinion degrading comments said by other players to him on much less controversial calls, or maybe that does not matter and he had to draw the line somewhere.
I will certainly learn my lesson and have found out the hard way you are never to old to learn.
My other question is this? He seemed to acknowledge the AR's flag in the build up but not blow his whistle until the 'goal' was scored. If you were all in the same position would you handle it any differently? Maybe have a word with the player who is 'showing dissent'? There is always banter going back and forth between the 2 teams and the officials especially on controversial calls and generally it could be considered good natured insults! I have always thought the best officials are the ones who are just as vocal as the players and can diffuse many a situation by some well chosen and often humerous words.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Hi Iain,
you are not altogether incorrect reasonable people can at times be reasonable. Banter, grumbling dissent as in agreeing to disagree where referees could selectively choose not to hear certain things or allow them to be in the humor format is really a reflection of the character of the referee and the attitude of the players. Although I truly would stay away from insults no matter what the reason.

It is unfortunate when a referee with a higher irritation threshold than another chooses to unload on some wondering player who if simply told be quiet likely would, when others are allowed to express outrage and scream like babies without being cautioned. The consistency is hopefully in how the referee manages the game rather than compare one's attitude to another in different matches.

Players need to adapt to the playing conditions. If the day is warm sunny with a nicely cut grass field or a rainy mud bowl wet and sticky such as it is you adapt and play. You cannot expect that if you yell at the wet conditions that they will suddenly change, they are, what they are. If the referee is a prickly cactus then stay away, if he is a warm teddy then squeeze away.

When you say things like "he seemed" or "it looked like" I do not necessarily doubt you but we are loath to comment adversely on another referee's performance as to his thoughts or actions that we simply do not get to see or hear. I can tell you if an act is for or against the law or within the general spirit of certain things

The AR should only raise a flag if 100% convinced there is an infringement! IF the referee sees that flag he is duty bound to stop play and believe the AR or if he truly sees the play differently or if he believes play should continue he should wave off the flag. The AR if a goal is scored can still stand in the, *I do not think so!* position before the restart which indicates we need to talk but it is a referee's decision as to the final outcome of the facts concerning play. The AR may have told the referee something that the referee simply took as NEW information and went oh my gawd you are right he was offside.
His match, his decision, his reputation.
Cheers

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

Hi Ian. Always good to hear from a fellow Atlantan. Your question is difficult to answer. Referees are different. I, for example, have a reputation of throwing few cards preferring to handle things verbally if possible. Others in my league throw cards like there's no tomorrow. No one way is correct. What you said to the referee could easily be viewed as insulting and deserving of a straight red. Other referees would caution you. Others yet would do nothing or say something along the lines of "I just want to get it right", or "That's why I have ARs". All referees strive to be consistent. Some are consistently bad and others consistently good. As you will see over and over on this site, we are a field condition and you as a player have to adjust to it. Were I you and had just received a caution for something I thought trivial, the LAST thing I would have done is open my mouth again to this referee unless with an apology.