Question Number: 29853

Law 5 - The Referee 10/25/2015

RE: College Adult

Bianca of Yakima, Wa United States asks...

Can a player on the field or captain of the team ask the referee what call he or she made ?
This happened in a game and the referee said he didnt have to tell us what the foul was.

Answer provided by Referee Jason Wright

Hi Bianca,

Unlike some other sports, no player has the 'right' to talk to the referee. This actually includes the captain; they have no particular 'rights' with the referee. I've refused to engage with the captain on plenty of occasions when they've approached me in an argumentative manner.

Having said that, if approached calmly, most referees will be happy to talk to players to briefly explain decisions, and most referees will be happy to work with the captain, but there's no particular requirement.

If you pick up early in the game that the referee isn't one of those officials, then my only advice would be to respect that, because if you don't you're likely to pick up a card for dissent.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Hi Bianca,
Most fouls are obvious trip push, pull, charge, jump, but a player or captain has no special right to demand answers. A reasonable request at the appropriate time and in a respectful tone could generate a reasoned response. Yet some referees are upset at the thought of dissent or being questioned and will refuse to engage. As I teach my players as a coach, a referee is like a weather condition or a pitch condition, you adapt to the circumstances to get the best result! Sunshine or rain,, hard artificial or soft grass do what is needed to perform at optimum efficiency!
Cheers

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Bianca
When approached by a player on the field of play the referee may decide to respond based on the manner, tone, context of the approach. If the approach is argumentative many referees will not engage. I would also say that the reasons why a decision is made most times is generally pretty obvious so the need to ask **Whats that decision for ref** is uncalled for. It can be seen as a show of dissent.
If Im approached in a calm manner by a player I have no difficulty responding although generally it is to quiz why a call is made rather than what it is for. In my game yesterday a player questioned in a pleasant manner what the call was for and I told him that he pushed the player in the back and he accepted that. He might not have agreed with it yet the engagement was civil and I was happy to answer. I also felt that it helped the situation. Now if I have a player running at me, raising his voice and questioning a call it is unlikely to be receive the same reaction.