Question Number: 5298

Character, Attitude and Control

HoldenMan of Central Coast, NSW Australia asks...

This is regarding Fleischer's response to Q5288...According to Fleischer, Cha (the assistant referee) should not have entered the field when the referee was attacked, instead should have stood on the line taking notes,..What the hell?..So, what you're saying is, if two players get fed up with the referee and start beating the crap out of him, as the assistant you would stand there and take notes??..I'm sorry, I do not see the logiv in this. I understand that it is the linesman's duty to take notes when the referee is unable to (if he's too busy breaking up a fight between players or something), but in my opinion, the moment the referee is attacked your responsibility is to preotect the referee, not record the bloody player's number, hair colour, eye colour, shoe brand and blood type. If a player jumped on me, and I had trouble getting him off, and my assistant didn't help me, I would have stern words with that assistant. While Cha shouldn't have grabbed the player afterwards, you can not sit there and tell me that a linesman has done the wrong thing if they come on to protect the referee and see if he's ok once he has been attacked. ..No way.

Answer provided by Referee Dawson

HI HM, .compassion is a decent human trait and showing concern is expected but the AR must report the incidents and not involve in these incidents unless the life is endangered in which case hopefully more than just an AR would come to the rescue. If you were witnessing a concerted attack by several players aside from getting yourself beat up not all ARs are capable of joining in the fight, a noble concept but not practicle. In this incident the referee was not continually being attacked or beaten up but was in pain from the knee being sore after the jump on his back. We are not talking about recieving repeated kicks to the head..IN the pregame I EXPLICITLY tell the ARS under NO circumstances are they to enter the FOP UNLESS I SPECICALLY demand it. THey are to form a triangle of observation and record and report EVERYTHING. MY senior AR if no 4th is responsible for trying to keep the non players and subs off the FOP. If I was knocked unconcious while revenge might be on my mind their safety (my ARS) is more important. Sure we can expect aid once the issue is over but I agree with REF Fliescher, the young lady Cha as touching as it may seem must not involve herself in physical confrontation. Cheers

Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

These referees are youth referees. There has been an assault. This is a junior match. The police should take into custody the player who committed the assault. Handling this type of thing should be at both levels, football and civil. In my book the player is finished forever. Had he assaulted me I would probabably be in jail too. ..If the referee crew is adult and capable of taking care of each other then by all means protect each other. BUT this is not in the best interest of football. ..Granted, I have used physical force in the protection of my linesmen or my referee in the past. Luckily there was no legal action taken against me and I count myself quite lucky, considering where I live. ..I will probably continue to use force where force is necessary to protect my crew from harm. I am an adult not a youth. I understand that the consequences of my actions may result in further harm to those around me. I am fully aware that the application of force can result in legal action being taken against me. I am capable of taking a calculated risk in protecting those around me. ..I will never recommend or advise another referee or assistant referee to go in harm's way. That, sir, is why I did not agree with the assistant referee entering the field of play. We are referees, we are not the police. The thing we do is done in a game not armed combat.

The following questions were asked as a follow up to the above question...

See Question: 12876