Question Number: 9010

Character, Attitude and Control

Brendan of KL, Malaysia asks...

When a teammate verbally abuse another teammate for not properly positioning himself, does the other person have the right to retaliate/ argue on his point? ..thx

Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

In the Laws of the Game using offensive or insulting or abusive language and/or gestures is an sending-off offense. Let the referee deal with it. Much easier that way. ..Regards,

Answer provided by Referee Dawson

Hi Brendan, .while motivating speeches on the pitch by players trying to inspire other teammates to play harder try harder can be a frustration attack of things not going well. Coaches should not allow such divisiveness on the field to go unchallenged and niether should the referee. When it becomes a personal, public and persistant grating of the nerves as referee we must deal with it and stop the harangue. Players must work together to play well, needless friction by hurtful criticism benifits no one..Cheers

Answer provided by Referee Laflin

Nothing more to add to the comments of my colleagues only... ..Nobody has the "right" to retaliate to anything on the field of play...!