Referees: Ask Us Anything

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Ive seen kids intentionally injur other kids very bad and only get a yellow. Shouting shut the F up is a verbal frustration. A good referee lets go in one ear and out the other. The alternative could be an intentional foul causing serious injury to an opponent. Before I hear some snowflake treating parent complain about the foul mouth. When your angel of child is on the field. They are athletes and the playing field is a sacred spot where they can compete and not be judged.

Sorry but I have to disagree. Yes there are times where the kids swear out of frustration, but you have to also take in a lot of things. If a player yells "Shut the F up!" loud enough for everyone to here, they are going to get a talking to at a minimum. There is a reason "use offensive or insulting or abusive language and/or gestures" is considered a red card offense. Yes it's often ignored at the college and higher levels, depending on who it's directed to, but that's no excuse for not enforcing it at the youth level.

Athletes on a playing field are not free from judgement, in fact I'd argue is that is where they are most judged - in every aspect, by every observer. Yes tempers and emotions flair on the field and we accept and understand those emotions to an extent, but it doesn't absolve you for certain behavior.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Ive seen kids intentionally injur other kids very bad and only get a yellow. Shouting shut the F up is a verbal frustration. A good referee lets go in one ear and out the other. The alternative could be an intentional foul causing serious injury to an opponent. Before I hear some snowflake treating parent complain about the foul mouth. When your angel of child is on the field. They are athletes and the playing field is a sacred spot where they can compete and not be judged.

Sorry but I have to disagree. Yes there are times where the kids swear out of frustration, but you have to also take in a lot of things. If a player yells "Shut the F up!" loud enough for everyone to here, they are going to get a talking to at a minimum. There is a reason "use offensive or insulting or abusive language and/or gestures" is considered a red card offense. Yes it's often ignored at the college and higher levels, depending on who it's directed to, but that's no excuse for not enforcing it at the youth level.

Athletes on a playing field are not free from judgement, in fact I'd argue is that is where they are most judged - in every aspect, by every observer. Yes tempers and emotions flair on the field and we accept and understand those emotions to an extent, but it doesn't absolve you for certain behavior.

To a teammate or opposing player is one thing, but to a ref that's a straight red in any league in the world. No question.

[Anonymous]

On the language question -

As a ref if you blurt out a curse word as an exclamation without directing it at anyone I don't consider that abusive language since it is not targeted. If you do so in a manner which is noticeable to spectators and everyone else I will give you a little warning about watching your language and get on with it. If you use the same language directed at someone it is a very different situation and according the laws of the game should be a sending off offense. Many referees will take context into account and if it seems more of a non-thinking reaction than a thoughtful targeting action respond with a caution that gets recorded in the book as unsporting behavior and a stern warning that any more language will result in ejection. When a player curses themselves I don't consider that targeted at someone even though in a way they are abusing themselves that's not how I read the spirit of that law, it's for abuse directed at someone else. For me it doesn't matter if it's me, a player, your own teammate, a spectator, or anyone, if it's targeted it's the same to me.

Important to note that this law does not stop at the final whistle, as all laws it is in effect until the teams leave the field. So if you respond to the final whistle by running over to the referee or someone else spewing abusive language expect to get booked and sit out the next match.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:On the language question -

As a ref if you blurt out a curse word as an exclamation without directing it at anyone I don't consider that abusive language since it is not targeted. If you do so in a manner which is noticeable to spectators and everyone else I will give you a little warning about watching your language and get on with it. If you use the same language directed at someone it is a very different situation and according the laws of the game should be a sending off offense. Many referees will take context into account and if it seems more of a non-thinking reaction than a thoughtful targeting action respond with a caution that gets recorded in the book as unsporting behavior and a stern warning that any more language will result in ejection. When a player curses themselves I don't consider that targeted at someone even though in a way they are abusing themselves that's not how I read the spirit of that law, it's for abuse directed at someone else. For me it doesn't matter if it's me, a player, your own teammate, a spectator, or anyone, if it's targeted it's the same to me.

Important to note that this law does not stop at the final whistle, as all laws it is in effect until the teams leave the field. So if you respond to the final whistle by running over to the referee or someone else spewing abusive language expect to get booked and sit out the next match.

Keep in mind that it's just not ABUSIVE language that is red card. It's also OFFENSIVE. If someone finds it OFFENSIVE, then it's subject to getting a card....even if the player is "talking to themselves". Kids to to learn to control themselves. Period. I have no problem dropping cards on kids. That's how they learn. Better for them to learn now.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:On the language question -

As a ref if you blurt out a curse word as an exclamation without directing it at anyone I don't consider that abusive language since it is not targeted. If you do so in a manner which is noticeable to spectators and everyone else I will give you a little warning about watching your language and get on with it. If you use the same language directed at someone it is a very different situation and according the laws of the game should be a sending off offense. Many referees will take context into account and if it seems more of a non-thinking reaction than a thoughtful targeting action respond with a caution that gets recorded in the book as unsporting behavior and a stern warning that any more language will result in ejection. When a player curses themselves I don't consider that targeted at someone even though in a way they are abusing themselves that's not how I read the spirit of that law, it's for abuse directed at someone else. For me it doesn't matter if it's me, a player, your own teammate, a spectator, or anyone, if it's targeted it's the same to me.

Important to note that this law does not stop at the final whistle, as all laws it is in effect until the teams leave the field. So if you respond to the final whistle by running over to the referee or someone else spewing abusive language expect to get booked and sit out the next match.

Keep in mind that it's just not ABUSIVE language that is red card. It's also OFFENSIVE. If someone finds it OFFENSIVE, then it's subject to getting a card....even if the player is "talking to themselves". Kids to to learn to control themselves. Period. I have no problem dropping cards on kids. That's how they learn. Better for them to learn now.

PP here--true, I've been doing more adults and older teens lately than younger kids--definitely have to adapt to be age appropriate.