Question Number: 33715

Other 10/17/2019

RE: Youth to adult, comp and rec.

Barry Stewart of Chilliwack, BC Canada asks...

This question is a follow up to question 33714

Ref McHugh says: 'If the explanation was not acceptable I would request not to work with the CR ever again. A referee would soon run out of assistants based on this approach.'

I have seen very close to the referee described by the original poster.

Ours was quite a proud and pompous character, who told us he didn't want any help on the fouls. He even changed my call on the direction of a throw-in, though I had clearly seen a late deflection, which he was probably blocked from.

As well, in my view, he was allowing way too much aggressive play. He didn't ask for feedback, or I would have told him so.

Soon, no one wanted to work with him. I haven't seen him in years, so he either gave it up or took his 'services' elsewhere.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Barry
Life brings us in contact with all sorts. The game of soccer is no different.
I have worked with all sorts of referees and what I can say is that thankfully I never had to experience this type of instruction or behaviour.
Yes some games had difficulties with flags overturned, waved down sometimes wrongly other times correctly and that is part of the role. However there was always respect etc for each other and a desire to do what was best for the game.
As I said people vote with their feet and if someone is being particularly obtuse I have no doubt ARs may not be available on that day to work with a particular individual !

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Hi Barry,
his decisions, in his matches, created his reputation! It is not unworthy to have some ego and pride in ones abilities but it is also disrespectful to ignore the the value of another. We as a group here at asktheref are committed to some very old fashioned views of integrity respect, effort, education, common sense and love. The characteristics which formulates the essence of reasonable behavior.
Cheers