Question Number: 20267

Character, Attitude and Control 10/15/2008

RE: Select Under 16

John of Atlanta, GA USA asks...

There is a discussion going on at the Georgia Soccer forum about an incident that evidently occurred at a Select/Athena level match. I thought I would post the scenario here and get feedback for the benefit of all.

At a stoppage during play, an injury time out, I believe (still works if not), the coach for one team calls the players over to the sidelines for a discussion. Said coach does not return the players to their positions despite being repeatedly asked to do so by the center ref. The young referee decided to restart play with one team lined up along the touch line (still on the field). You can only imagine the results to the both the players, the referee, and the game of Soccer.

My position is the players should NOT have been sanctioned. The coach should have been punished. What is your opinion on this, and do you have any techniques to get the players back on the field in this kind of situation?

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

The referee should not restart with players along the touchline unless he has exhausted reasonable actions of encouragement and followed the steps of
Remind,
Ask,
Tell,
Discipline.

Sometimes there is no saving idiots from themselves and we have the last step which is to suspend if send offs or dismissals are required or abandon the match as it is not able to continue.
The referee must ensure all facts are recorded in the match report. The league better have some guts to check into and hand out some serious consequences to those responsible!

If this was an injury stoppage and play was stopped solely to deal with the injury, under FIFA law the restart is a drop ball. If it was USA high school there could be an INDFK awarded to the team that had ball possession. Or if there was already a stoppage and the injury was noticed as requiring treatment the restart remains as it was be it a throw in, corner, goal kick, free kick etc..

During the stoppage the coach can still relay instructions from the technical area. The players can not be faulted for staying on the field close by to listen.

Was the injury a treatable one where the player required substitution? Once the injury and substitution situation is dealt with the restart resumes at the REFEREE'S discretion not the coach.

The coach is simply being a butt head to ignore the referee request.
I am willing to bet this was an older coach taking advantage of a young referee.

If the restart is a drop ball it is not necessary for an opposing player to be present. If it is a free kick or restart for the team ready to precede again the opposition is 10 yards away the restart can precede just fine. The opposing players are on the field and nothing in law prevents the referee from restarting play.

HOWEVER< The referee himself must act reasonable and in a professional manner. The fact you could restart is not a reason to restart given how badly the situation could deteriorate to. If the team that has the restart is the one DELAYING the restart this presents other options to be considered..

One should also consider time management as it relates to Match Duration LAW 7 if this is a proper match where you have the option to add time then remember these moments selectively at the match end. This team is behind, then what two minutes are they talking about? The other team still pressing and a goal behind? You make sure they get every last nano second.


The spirit of the game implores us to NOT arbitrarily punish the players just because their coach is a butt head. HOWEVER, and this is important the PLAYERS should be addressed separately from the coach to be held accountable if THEY decide to dissent your decision to restart. Always get eye contact and a response be it verbal or a head shake of acknowledgment in comunicating with players and coaches on direct issues.

Remember this begins by asking all too please get ready and return to an active lets get ready to play status. Generally a whistle blast to get attention and advise we are now ready to restart.
-This is a reminder!
Now the fun starts we have an intense coach who basically considers his own needs are more important than listening to you as referee.
A couple of short whistle blasts and a "Lets get a move on please, take your positions
-Now we have asked!
The obtuse behavior has now escalated into a power struggle
A LONG HARD whistle and RIGHT NOW!
-They have been TOLD!

So how do we deal with those who are being unreasonable?
Use the laws of the game.
The coach MUST be inside the technical area. It is unreasonable for him not to be there!
By DELIBERATELY ignoring the referee the coach has PUBLICLY dissented a decision; this is misconduct and is most definitely irresponsible behavior.

The quickest way to get the coaches attention is simply go stand in front of him and ask him if he is looking for an early shower? He is essentially delaying the restart if HIS actions are responsible. He is disrespecting the authority of the referee and tarnishing the responsible image he is mandated to uphold. Now depending on his response at this stage can result in the coach being disciplined, up to and including a possible dismissal. It can also result in unwanted consequences against the players. The coach has at minimum DEFINITELY been warned. Being warned is the equivalent of a caution show a yellow card to a player and the coach's conduct should be noted in the match report. Or if you thought it neccessary dismiss the coach the equivalent of a send off show a red card and suggest to his replacement we are restaring ASAP once the coach is gone to the parking lot away from the field.

I suggest at this point hold the players to task isolate the captain and tell him point blank, we are restarting immediately as soon as I whistle. I have warned/dismissed your coach please consider your actions carefully. If the restart is anything but THEIR restart proceed to that point and restart as per the laws allow with the whistle. Then if coach starts screaming stop play and dismiss him if you had not already done so.
If it is THEIR restart and they are refusing to take it you have a couple of incentives the first caution show the yellow card to the captain if he has done nothing to help things along.

To get to the, need to use card stage or follow through on punishing the deliberate misconduct is a SAD spectacle and if it is their restart one could simply abandon the match and record the particulars. It could make for interesting reading how a coach or team could defend not returning to play.
Cheers

Answer provided by Referee Michelle Maloney

The question the referee might ask the coach is 'Who will take your place, sir, if your team doesn't take the field in 30 seconds?' This is said in a voice that carries, with a stern look and a subsequent glance at one's watch.

Give him 30 seconds to respond. If none, tell the coach he's been warned, and if the team isn't on the field in 30 seconds ready to play, the coach is dismissed. If the coach reacts negatively or says something inflammatory, he's gone anyway.

If there is no one to replace the coach, the game is terminated and all facts go into the report.

I am loathe to deal harshly with the players in a situation like this, because they are youths, and the coach is the one causing the problem. Dealing promptly with such coach misbehavior saves the next referee and team from such harrassment, and sets a good example for any other referees.

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

Where in ATlanta area? I'm suprised I missed this. Would not punish the players as they are only obeying their coach. Likewise, I would not restart the game as this young referee did. I would simply tell the coach he had 1 minute (or some other approriately short time) to get his players into position or I would restart the game with his players on the field at the touchline. Then I'd do just that. WHen the coach then went ballistic I'd dismiss him from the field and tell the new adult in charge to not act like such a jerk