Question Number: 21178

Law 6 - Assistant Referee 4/23/2009

RE: Mens Open Adult

Giovanni of Midlothian, Texas USA asks...

I was the Assistan Referee in an a men's open match . A shot was taken and I followed it towards the goal line, it hit the crossbar bounced completlly past the goal line, and then reentered the field . I followed the correct procedures and the referee awarded the goal . Before the kick-off a defender approached me and insulted me using abussive language: ' Your a f*#!$+%? a#*h0le ' . I immeadiatly got the attention of th referee and indicated a send-off . He came torwards me asked me for more info, so I told him what happend( using the exact words the defender used) . The only action the referee took was to warn him verbally . As an AR do I have a right to abandon the game in this situation ?

Answer provided by Referee Debbie Hoelscher

As much as one would like to in such circumstances, the firm answer is NO. Unfortunately, that referee failed to do his job. If I were assessing him, I'd fail him for that alone. Your only recourse is to suck it up for the rest of the match, be true to your own standard of excellence as the Assistant Referee and then report the referee's conduct to your ref administration. I would also make a request to the assignor to NEVER assign you on his match again. There is no place in soccer for a referee to allow their teammate to endure that kind of abuse.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

As for do you have a right? You have as much right as you are prepared to take the consequences of those actions!

My colleague is correct we could suck it up and record and report but I no longer worry about consequences as an older official I am rather obstinate and prepared to address any consequences directly. The party line of assist not insists is only reasonable if those involved are responsible. As a referee my ARs are 100% off limits to ANY form of abuse by players or coaches.

Acting as an AR I respect the referee's right to make the final decision but as this one is an insult to one's character and intelligence you need to have a very neutral attitude to calmly get on with business. HOWEVER at the half or in the post review the referee and I are going to have a very REAL discussion in private

If you walk away be prepare for being labelled a Sissy, such is the mindset of those who think this is an incident that any person with a backbone should be able to deal with rather than stomping off in a huff! That said if you were THREATENED and felt unsafe or so uncomfortable or embarrassed that you were teary eyed. Trust me, I have seen ARs reduced to tears a number of times by ineffectual referees NOT doing their job!

In truth if acting as AR I had a referee leave me hanging after SPECIFICALLY calling him over to SEND off an idiot at an ordinary grassroots match I could likely think about shoving the flag where the sun does not shine or rather consider handing him his flag and excuse myself as I have better things to do or be! Much harder to walk away from a match where your actions could create difficulties for not only yourself but the actual match itself might be jeopardized!

This matter is 100% UNACCEPTABLE and MUST be recorded and reported and while you have a right to request not to be paired with the referee again one could hope you RESOLVE this and find closure/forgiveness rather than bitterness or contempt!
Cheers

Answer provided by Referee Michelle Maloney

A great deal depends on you, your career aspirations, your reputation and that of your referee on this game. There is no one right answer.

My colleagues present a couple of different ways to deal with the scenario and all are viable. There are times when you might just have to put down the flag and walk away, as your input and assistance is clearly not valued, wanted or needed and where the behavior of the referee has made it impossible for you to continue. I would say those are rare, and the repercussions of doing so are often dire.

Why? Because when you file a report and complain, it becomes a 'he said - she said' kind of argument. Since the referee is the final arbiter of the facts in any situation, no matter what you report, it will be viewed from the perspective that there was a missed communication and that clearly you did not make the referee understand what happened and what was required. So when you walk away, you risk a great deal.

Staying, although it is uncomfortable and distasteful, gives you the high ground. It also gives you an opportunity to learn how to deal with adverse circumstances. Is it possible the referee did not understand you felt the defender should be sent off? Did you specifically tell the referee the defender in your opinion should be sent off or at a minimum cautioned? Did the referee give you a reason why he chose to only deal with it verbally?

I would hope you went to the assignor with this problem, and to a trusted mentor. I also hope you were able to discuss it with the referee, and reach an understanding. I'm not saying an agreement was met, only that you both now clearly understand what the other thought and why it resulted in the action it did. Having done this, when or if you decide to ask the assignor not to assign you with that referee again, it will be understood, and honored.

Answer provided by Referee Nathan Lacy

I'll pile on here. Can you? Sure. Should you? I would highly recommend - NOT!!! Ref Hoelscher's example is a sad commentary regarding the way some of our referees handle such events and the unbelievably unprofessional condemnation of a ref by fellow officials. However, as an AR we should be prepared to encounter such behaviors and inactions by fellow referees. NEVER be surprised. Always expect the unexpected. Something like this can turn the rest of the game into hell because the players have seen that you have no backing from the ref and these are the matches that I just keep reminding myself that there is only 30 minutes to go...only 20 minutes to go....only....well, you get the picture. The game will end and that nasty experience will be in the experience file. Report it? Absolutely. Express your outrage to the ref? Well, I would. The comments above give you a number of ways to move forward and who to talk with after such an event. Believe me, if this behavior is consistent for that ref then that refs reputation will begin to preceed him and his assignments will probably begin to suffer. That having been said may I share the following for you as a referee when you find yourself in a similar situation. Things that are directed AT the AR, or ref, such as the words you used or terms that are racist, sexist, etc. are, in my opinion, IMMEDIATE send offs. Comments that are directed more at the event like 'that was a f-ing horrible call' are more along the lines of a caution to me - especially at the higher levels. There are issues with HOW it is done though. Right in the official's face sreaming is probably going to lean towards red as well. If it's more of a 'personal chat' between the player and me I'll probably come off with my own smartass comment but I wouldn't advise this as your USSF sanctioned method of relating to players. It's one of those 'gotta see it - gotta be there' kinds of things to me. Guidance I heard in the past on things such as this involved the "three P's" - Public, Personal, and Provocative. If it meets those three then you are probably talking a yellow or red. I regret that you ended up in such an awkward situation but do hope that the above comments, and perhaps something from mine, will be helpful to you. All the best,

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