Referees: Ask Us Anything

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thanks for this -
physicality in soccer - we have been to a few tournaments over the past year where there have been fists flying. The kid who may have appeared to have started it gets a yellow card but no one else and we have been told that if a kid enters the fight and did not start it, he is fine. Is this true? Not condoning any of it, but very surprised at this from more than one ref.

This is not true. There is nowhere in Laws that says only the person starting the fight should be carded.

[Anonymous]

What should parents and coaches do if there is perceived bias? Situation we have seen a few times is refs who have given yellow cards only to minority players. This is an age where lots of kids foul and I'm not saying those kids did not foul but just that other kids who were being very aggressive and intentionally fouling did not get yellow cards and acted like they knew they were scot free because the only kids getting cards are racial minorities.

[Anonymous]

Have you ever had to eject a parent observer? Can you do that? What was the circumstance?

[Anonymous]

What do you think of the quality of the refs in different leagues?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What do you think of the quality of the refs in different leagues?

I feel VPL doesn't do well in this category.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What do you think of the quality of the refs in different leagues?

DDs team moved from NCSL to EDP- so much better.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What should parents and coaches do if there is perceived bias? Situation we have seen a few times is refs who have given yellow cards only to minority players. This is an age where lots of kids foul and I'm not saying those kids did not foul but just that other kids who were being very aggressive and intentionally fouling did not get yellow cards and acted like they knew they were scot free because the only kids getting cards are racial minorities.

If you go on the NCSL website (I assume other league websites have something similar), you can provide feedback on the referee....I think. I'm sure your coach knows someone at the club who can talk to the assignors as well.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What do you think of the quality of the refs in different leagues?

Leagues don't have their own refs. Refs can ref in any league they choose. As stated earlier. Certain games like state cup are now available to the general ref population and are hand selected or a referee can contact those assignors and ask for a game like that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What do you think of the quality of the refs in different leagues?

DDs team moved from NCSL to EDP- so much better.

Just luck. Same refs that do NCSL do EDP.

[Anonymous]

Why do referees ref Hispanic kids differently than the other kids?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why do referees ref Hispanic kids differently than the other kids?

Btw ... we did not have this problem in EDP.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why do referees ref Hispanic kids differently than the other kids?

Btw ... we did not have this problem in EDP.

Just luck. Same refs in NCSL, CCL, NPL, etc as EDP. You can go get certified and the following week center ref a U16 EDP game.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why do referees ref Hispanic kids differently than the other kids?

Btw ... we did not have this problem in EDP.

Just luck. Same refs in NCSL, CCL, NPL, etc as EDP. You can go get certified and the following week center ref a U16 EDP game.

Not “just luck” it was an issue at many, many games. I documented them at the time snd sent complaints.

I think maybe the training is lacking somewhere. You seem to have little understanding of the game.

Then go get certified is weak sauce. My 2 sons are certified and it’s an issue.

Maybe they only understand long ball soccer and not true possession.

Are you the OP?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why do referees ref Hispanic kids differently than the other kids?

Btw ... we did not have this problem in EDP.

Just luck. Same refs in NCSL, CCL, NPL, etc as EDP. You can go get certified and the following week center ref a U16 EDP game.

then just luck. The old guy with the crazy white hair who refused to move more then 5 yards from midfield was a fixture in NCSL- haven't seen him yet in EDP

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why do referees ref Hispanic kids differently than the other kids?

Btw ... we did not have this problem in EDP.

Just luck. Same refs in NCSL, CCL, NPL, etc as EDP. You can go get certified and the following week center ref a U16 EDP game.

then just luck. The old guy with the crazy white hair who refused to move more then 5 yards from midfield was a fixture in NCSL- haven't seen him yet in EDP

Exactly. I just figure EDP had different training for style.