Question Number: 28419

Law 5 - The Referee 5/12/2014

RE: Rec, Travel U12 and up Under 19

Steven Bloom of McLean, VA United States asks...

Over the weekend, I was center ref for a U15 high level match. It was quite physical and very intense. During the match, after I called a foul, I put my hand on the shoulder of the player as I talked to him about the foul and warned him about further play going foward. At half time, one of my ARs (who had centered the prior match) warned me against touching a player. I've been refereeing for 7 years (house and travel), and was a bit surprised and taken aback by his comment. I've used this technique as part of game management - either calming players down, interacting with players before the start of second half - and had seen other referees do similar things. I've never touched a player other than a hand on one or both shoulders (particularly younger players (11-12) as I talk with them about appropriate soccer). Is this inappropriate?

Answer provided by Referee Jason Wright

Hi Steven,

In my experience, 'don't touch the players' is always drummed into new referees. It can send the wrong message of being overly familiar with certain players - and you don't want the players touching you when they're arguing a decision, so you should always treat players the same way you want to be treated.

Of course, high level referees do tend to ignore this and engage in quite a bit of light contact - and tolerate quite a bit. I'll leave you to draw your own conclusions on that.

The other situation we have - and the more pressing one - is dealing with children. Never, ever touch underage players. Ever.

It is highly inappropriate - and in this highly paranoid day and age I'm very surprised you haven't suffered problems from a parent or coach already.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Steven
Everyone has a different opinion on this. Personally I don't think it is a good idea and I would caution against it. However I would not have a problem with a referee putting his hand on an older player's shoulder and I do know one referee who does this which is part of their personality. It has not created a problem for him either. Some players though can take exception to it and perhaps slap the arm away in which case the referee has a problem. Also it can send out the wrong signal to those watching which referees should always avoid. Some will have no problem with it as shown in this clip.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rhjNL0Tj60M&feature=youtu.be&t=1h28m40s
In the case of underage games I might quote from our Child Protection Guidelines in Ireland
'' There should be no unnecessary physical contact between an adult and a young person although there are times when for example, placing a hand on a distressed child/young person's shoulder to comfort him/her would be appropriate. Physical contact should only be in response to the needs of the child and should be appropriate to the age and the level of development of the child.''
The advice I would give is not to make contact with underage players. It achieves very little, it has the possibility of creating a problem which is always best avoided and also it is the exception among referees.

Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

The better option is for every adult, particularly persons of authority (e.g., the referee), not to be the one to initiate any physical contact with a child. It may not be welcome by the child, and despite the referee's true (and good) intentions, it can create problems for the referee, the league, and the association.