Question Number: 22049

League Specific 9/22/2009

RE: Competitive Under 14

Mark of Berkeley Heights, NJ USA asks...

This question is a follow up to question 22003

No question, just a precautionary story of what happens when a ref allows club linesman to have a say on what is happening...

Last spring in one of my sons games, the league did not assign ARs to help the Center, as our area league is apparently short on refs. The CR, who looked to be a high school junior or senior, asked each team for a club linesman. Having a Grade 9 certification, I volunteered, as did a father from the other team. Our league rules specify that a club linesmans ONLY duties are to signal when a ball goes out-of-play within the linesmans jurisdiction, advise the ref on which team should get the restart, and advise the ref when there is an apparent injury. In particular, the rules state that a club linesman should NOT signal for fouls (including offside) or goals. Unfortunately, the ref did not go over these rules with us before the game or at half time.

Anyway, it was a tight, tense game tied at 2-2 midway through the second half, but with nothing controversial up to that point. My sons team was attacking the goal in the other club linesmans jurisdiction. With about 15 mins to play, my sons team put the ball into the other teams goal, and the kids started celebrating. The ref neither blew his whistle nor indicated what restart he wanted, but instead ran over to the other club linesman who had his flag up. After a long conversation with the club linesman, the ref whistled, raised his arm, and indicated an IDFK outbound for offside. This provoked some grumbling by my sons team and parents, but no one complained seriously as it was hard to tell what exactly happened. About 5 mins later my sons team put the ball into the other teams goal again. The ref initially validated the goal by pointing to a kick-off restart and taking out his scorecard, but the other club linesman again had his flag raised and this time called the ref over. Again, after an extended conversation on the sideline, the ref came back calling for an IDFK for offside. This time several parents and the coach of my sons team openly complained that the club linesman was biased.

With only about a minute left to play and the game still at 2-2, the ref called a foul against the other team maybe 30 yards out from the other teams goal. My sons coach instructed his team to line up even with the ball, like NFL players do on a kick-off, even though the defenders had lined up at the top of their penalty area. At the kick, the attackers charged the goal. The kicker lofted the ball into the middle of the other teams penalty area, where a bunch of attackers and defenders converged. In the ensuing scrum my sons team again put the ball into the goal for a 3-2 lead. The ref, who had followed the action closely, indicated a kick-off restart and took out his scorecard to record the goal, but again the other club linesmans flag was raised. This time the ref waived off the club linesmans flag and ran the ball back to midfield for the kick-off. Amazingly, the club linesman then ran onto the field and started yelling angrily and loudly at the ref. The ref said nothing but just turned and walked away, but the club linesman followed him. After maybe fifteen seconds of this, the ref looked at his watch, blew a long whistle, and called full time, match concluded. This prompted the other teams coach to run onto the field and start screaming at the ref. The club linesman was also still in the refs face. On the spectators side, several of the other teams parents complained loud and long that their team got cheated, and that my sons teams win was tainted and theyd make sure the game was protested. My teams parents, naturally, argued back, resulting in some nasty confrontations between parental factions. On field, the kids on both sides took the cue from the adults behavior and looked angry and sullen, like they were ready for a fight. My sons coach quickly herded his players together and shepherded them well away from the field for the teams post-game discussion. When I went to return the flag to the ref, he was still being harangued by the other club linesman, the other teams coach, and another parent who decide to jump in. The poor ref just went on silently packing his bag, doing his best to ignore the blather around him. Fortunately, no one crossed the line and actually touched him.

And some people wonder why our league doesnt seem to have enough refs....

Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

I'm sorry about your experience.

I'm wonder whether we would be better off without club lines. I'm not sure. Some adults seem unable to control their emotions as well as the kids (who understand it is just a game.) I prefer to work without club lines. Yet, many of our good referees had their first experience in officiating came from running a line. It is a useful, though limited, recruiting tool.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

I prefer to referee as a single official. I belive parents are best served watching and encouraging their kids. Unless the league strictly specifies I must, I choose not to use club linesmen. I promise to be FAIR not perfect and ask them to remember where I am on the field in relationship to balls out or in and offside as I call only what I know to be true 100%! Play the whistle!
Cheers

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Mark
Thank you for taking the time to share this experience which unfortunately happens in all parts of the world and your point about the lack of refs is well made.
The learning points here are
1. Lack of briefing by the young referee probably due to inexperience.
2. Misbehaviour by the club assistant who caused all the fuss needed to be reported and dealt with
3. Lack of respect for the game and the official.

The FA in the UK has introduced a Respect campaign to try to deal with this and initial signs are encouraging.
This is a recent video which gives the message that many games are now played without a ref due to shortages.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R9SQ_9UXE8Y

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

Bad experience and the referee should have his head examined for allowing a club linesman to call offside. I'd also point out that your league is not adhering to USSF policy regarding club linesmen by allowing them to signal which direction the throw or kick should go or, I assume, if it's a goal or corner kick. Advice to referees has this to say:

6.6 CLUB LINESMEN
Where neutral assistant referees are not available, the referee may use club linesmen. Club linesmen should report to the referee before the start of the game for instructions. The referee should make it clear that the decision of the referee is final and must not be questioned. The relationship of club linesmen to the referee must be one of assistance, without undue interference or any opposition. Club linesmen are to signal only when the ball is entirely over the goal line or touch line.


When I use club linesmen I have them stand at the corner flag and tell them to raise the flag if all of the ball crosses over all of either line. That's it. No directionals and certainly no calling offside. Of course if they see an injured player I want them to get my attention but they are not to do anything else other than signal the ball is out of play.
Most of the time when I have 1 or no ARs I don't use club linesmen.