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1. Referee abuse is it solvable or inevitable?

By Stephen Potischman

As referees, how many times have we heard:" Ref, you’ve gotta be kidding," or some variation on that theme? It doesn’t seem to matter whether the game is a World Cup qualifier or an under-12 match. Players, coaches, and spectators seem to think that not only are we all deaf and blind, but that we don’t know and have no clue on how to apply The Laws of the Game (LOTG.) That attitude, which is exacerbated by the passion that this sport engenders, often gets expressed in abusive language, and all too often, physical abuse to referees. In effect, abuse of referees has become part of the game.

I took the referees’ course and passed the exam 5 years ago at the age of 45. I learned to play soccer as a child overseas, and then after returning to the USA, played in high school, college, and then for a couple of years on an amateur team. After my children were born, I coached my son in his youth soccer days, and then coached again for a few years after he moved up to high school soccer. Due to job constraints, I was unable to commit the time necessary to coach, so I decided to take up the whistle in order to maintain contact with the game I love. Most of my games are inter-town youth soccer matches in the Boston area, and the league in which I do most of my games is Boston Area Youth Soccer (BAYS.) Boston Area Youth Soccer (BAYS.)

Every referee has had incidents where they’ve endured some form of abuse. In my case, and I would imagine for most refs., there were more incidents earlier in our careers. As we gain experience, we learn how to deal with, and thereby defuse certain situations that have the potential to turn into larger problems. We also get to know how much verbal nonsense to expect, and how much we’re going to take before we respond.

I’m not a sociologist; I don’t have a crystal ball, and don’t have any special insight as to why people think they have the right to abuse referees. It seems to me, however, that there is a connection between behaviour in the world at large, and behaviour at sporting events. In my opinion, people just aren’t as civil to each other as they once were. Our collective expectation is for more immediate gratification than ever before, with less tolerance for anyone or anything that gets in the way of that gratification.

The world sporting news is full of incidences where ugly behaviour is the order of the day: spectators fighting with spectators, players trash-talking, spectators berating players, coaches, and referees, and lately bottles being thrown at referees at two NFL stadiums in this country. I believe that ill behaviour at professional "sporting events" has trickled down through collegiate, amateur, school, and finally youth levels.

I was fortunate to find myself a mentor, although it was purely by coincidence. He happens to be a business associate, and when we learned we are both referees, we started talking about incidences we’d faced on the field. He explained this tactic to me, which I’ve used three times in the last three years to my advantage. In youth soccer in the USA, the coaches are responsible for the behaviour of the spectators. If a spectator (usually a parent) gets out of line, it’s up to the coach to deal with him/her. When a parent becomes a problem, wait until the next stoppage in play. Call both coaches over to you, identify the problem individual, and ask the coaches "who does that person belong to?" When one of the two acknowledges it’s his/her responsibility, send the other coach back to the bench, and say to the person in front of you "Please tell that spectator that unless he keeps his opinions to himself, I’m going to throw you out of the game." It has worked every time.

An incident that taught me a lot about what the breadth of coaches’ can say and do was during a BU14 game I refereed early in my second year. It was a competitive, skilled game, and the home team was ahead by a goal going into what the coach thought was the final minute. (I had mentally added 4 minutes of stoppage time onto the game.) The home team had lost to the away team earlier in the season, and they were hanging on for the win. A shot came in from the away team, and a home-team field player, who was standing on the goal line, punched the shot away. I sent him off for denying a clear goal scoring opportunity, and pointed to the penalty mark. The PK was taken, and the keeper saved the shot around the post. The ensuing corner kick resulted in an away-team goal. The stoppage time expired shortly after the kick off, and I blew the whistle. As I went to collect my flag from the club linesman, the home coach ran over to me and accused me of stealing the win from his team. I told him he was out of line, and walked away. The sadder part of the story was that the coach reiterated blaming me to the players and parents. They took him at his word, which was reflected in their faces as they walked off the pitch. He did them no favours by acting as he did. The players were taught an unfortunate lesson in how to not behave. I guess I was the only one who came away with a couple of valuable lessons:

1. Stick to your guns-enforce LOTG.

2. Report this kind of behaviour (I didn’t at the time, and regret it.)

3. Expect all kinds of people and all kinds of behaviour.

Rather than continue with another doom-and-gloom situation, I would like to relate an ugly experience that ultimately became a positive one. I had been refereeing a BU13 game, and was physically accosted on the field by a home-team parent. I abandoned the match, and was escorted to my car by the away-team coach and a couple of other adults. (The parent in question was banned for life from attending any youth soccer matches). About a month later, I was refereeing in a tournament. Much to my surprise, I found myself working a game with the same "away" team from the earlier incident. As I was standing on the touch line on the spectators’ side of the field, a couple of parents came over to me and said: "We’re glad to see you’re still refereeing. You shouldn’t let the behaviour of one jerk keep you out of the game."

There is hope!

As an adult, I am better equipped to deal with the external pressures exerted on referees than are most teenagers. There are countless stories of coaches and parents intimidating young referees. It’s hard enough dealing with an irate, emotional coach as an adult. But for a young person, in the vast majority of cases, it’s a losing proposition. They don’t need to have an adult berating them, and indeed should be protected. We need to develop young referees, as the game needs all the qualified referees we can get.

BAYS decided to implement a policy aimed at protecting referees, particularly the younger ones (the text of the policy can be found at www.bays.org.) The first iteration of the policy prohibited coaches and parents from speaking to the referee during the match, but allowed for non-confrontational questions to be asked during half-time and after the match. This was later amended to prohibit speaking to the ref. at all, except to ask for substitutions, to alert the ref. to an injury, etc. Criticising the referee at any time is prohibited. In addition, the referee is allowed to show a yellow or red card to the offending coach if appropriate. While this aspect of the policy contravenes FIFA’s LOTG, the intent is to keep the referee, particularly the younger ones, away from ill-behaved adults. I contacted BAYS to ask whether the implementation of the policy has increased the retention rate of younger refs., and they said that it has, although they didn’t have any statistics available at the time.

So, what’s to be done? I wish I had the answers. I believe that sports in general, and soccer in particular, need to have a comprehensive top-down/bottom-up strategy to cut down on referee abuse. We on the lower rungs of the sport need to be protected with strict rules to punish any abusive individuals off the field, and we need to apply LOTG vigorously to those on the field. At the higher levels, there need to be meaningful penalties for players and coaches who abuse referees. Whether players are to be fined or suspended, it has to hurt them and/or the team in the pocketbook. Token punishment simply won’t do the job.

My intent is not to make this sound like a half-time speech. But I believe that if the status quo is going to change, we as refs. have to be the catalysts. No one else has shown a sincere willingness to do it. No one else seems to see the long-term damage to the game. If strong measures by authorities at the local, national, and international levels aren’t taken to counteract the current atmosphere of "ref. bashing," the shortage of referees will continue, and probably will grow to the point that the game in its entirety will suffer.

Many thanks to Steve for his insight.

2. I feel sorry for these scapegoats              Take me to the top of this Article 4 page

by David Aaronovitch

From ‘The Independent’, Tuesday 5^th March 2002

ON SUNDAY night, having fallen out with the majority of an audience of 700 wonderfully disputatious Jews, I stayed up late watching television to allow my heightened adrenaline levels to settle. On Channel4 they were showing the weekend’s football matches from Italy. For some reason (and it could have been the dour nature of the Inter versus AC Milan local derby) I found myself watching, not the players, but the referee. He was the bald, baked, charismatic Pierluigi Collina, who even soccer-haters may recognise from international matches.

Collina, I soon realised, was super-fit, in the old-fashioned sense. With each turn of play 20 players would thunder up the pitch, passing, dribbling, moving into space, shooting, marking, tackling, shouting, falling, gobbing on the grass (different from dribbling) and doing- at high speed-what world-class athletes do. Collina would move among them, at ground level, always trying to keep the ball in sight through the forest of bodies. His would be the judgement on the tackle that was unfair the hand-ball that was deliberate, the body-check that was obstructive, the backing-in, the advantage to be played, whether or not there was a goal-scoring chance (critical in deciding whether the commission of a foul merits a sending-off) and, of course, the penalty And all done immediately at that second, with only the judgements of his two line-bound assistant referees to help.

Coincidentally, next morning’s sports pages were led by a story concerning a British referee, Steve Dunn. With moments to go in Sunday’s match between relegation-threatened Derby County and title favourites Manchester United (see how that phraseology comes tripping off the pen!), Dunn disallowed a "goal" from a Derby striker that would have won the game for his side. Never mind the reasons — too boring. Anyway, afterwards Dunn found himself under assault.

The Derby manager, John Gregory a serial attacker of referees, claimed that Dunn had "bottled it" (i.e. been too cowardly to give the right decision), and that he had also ignored an earlier "blatant" penalty Even the BBC’s website seemed to question the ref’s judgement, saying: "If Manchester United go on to claim a record fourth successive Premiership this season, referee Steve Dunn is one of the first people they should thank."

Dunn had done his job. He’d made the best shout he could, and he was being roundly abused for doing it. No-one was interested in the complexity of his decision. And he wasn’t alone. In several other Premiership matches at the weekend the referee’s actions were contested by managers. "I thought the referee had a poor game today" is now an almost inevitable accompaniment to the post-match press conference. Well, in times when sacking accompanies short-term failure, managers have the most to lose. But unless they believe that there is a particular mad refereeing animus against them, a rational boss has to concede that what he loses on the roundabouts he gains on the swings.

Where managers go, there go also the players, the commentators and the fans. Radio 5 Live’s Alan Green and Sky’s Andy Gray have now perfected the art of second-guessing the ref from the comfort of the commentator’s box (usually set, like Olympus, high above the contending mortals). Their contempt can be suitably ineffable. Supporters too - many of whom, from my own experience in the stands, have difficulty distinguishing between any two black players, whatever their heights and builds — "see" things that refs do not, and complain ceaselessly and inexpertly when things go badly.

In short, no one seems to respect referees any more. I trawled the web-site of the Referees Association, which has 17,507 members. There, amongst the ads for refs’ accessories (a set of red and yellow cards, including indelible marker, just £1.60) and training courses, was an interesting message board. Yesterday one referee had written in supporting Steve Dunn and urging that more moaning managers be charged with bringing the game into disrepute.

Another, however, told a story which seemed to indicate where all this complaining was heading. "I was," he wrote, "helping out my mate who is a referee in a local under-13’s league. In the last minute he decided to book a player for dissent after having previously warned him on more than one occasion. The game finished, we shook hands with everyone, and as we were making our way to the changing-room, one of the parents came up to my mate and SPAT in his face ... it was the parent of the player who had been booked." Then he added, "The referee is 17 years old, and this is only his second season."

As it happens, two policemen were passing the pitch when this happened and nabbed the uncouth father. Charges will follow. Meanwhile, in a more senior amateur match, "the assistant manager of one team chose to attempt to bully and intimidate me into making decisions", wrote another official, "and spent his time belittling me and belittling the referee to me. At the end of the game he came into the changing room with a big grin on his face and expected me to shake his hand." The ref refused.

Of course I am not silly enough to think that ref bashing began with the millennium. But it is much more widespread now. The technology of replay has allowed everyone to have an "informed" opinion, without necessarily understanding the circumstances in which the original decision has been taken. We are all "as good" as the man or woman in black But we don’t carry the responsibility

Should we then feel sorry for them? Anymore sorry than for the NHS managers, ministers or Police Commissioners who also carry out incredibly complex tasks, and who are~ also - in these undeferential days- slaughtered for getting it wrong?

Because I was a rather feeble manager myself, way back when, I have an innate, inconvenient sympathy with people who try to run things, and I experience discomfort when they are made easy scapegoats for systemic problems. It is the fashion to slag off politicians as well as referees, and I worry about that too. Most referees are not whistle-crazed jobsworths, and most politicians are not latter-day Borgias, yet we talk as though they were.

Perhaps I ought not to worry. No one is forced to become an MP or a referee. Presumably they enjoy the exercise of power The Ref’s website itself says,

"Men and women take up refereeing for a number of reasons. Many are frustrated footballers ... Some have come to the end of their playing careers and have decided to put something back into the game." It is, in many ways, healthy not to defer to people who set themselves up as decision-makers, and vital to subject them to scrutiny.

But if the lack of deference turns to ritual contempt, and the scrutiny to instant condemnation, then I think we’ll get worse refs and worse politicians. Worse matches and worse democracy. So the final word goes to another referee on the message-board. He was recommending making referees much more available to the press and media. "In my opinion," he wrote, "it is in the isolation of referees that we heighten, not lessen, the tensions."

Open government. Everything discussed, everything on display. That’s the ticket.

David.Aaronovitch@btinternet.com

3: Bringing Two Worlds Together                    Take me to the top of this Article 4 page

The best way to eradicate referee’s abuse.

By Francois Riopel

This summer, I’ll begin my 10th season as a referee, in Montréal, Québec, Canada. Although, since last year, because of back problems, I do mostly youth matches, I still officiate some U-18 games, and even some senior matches. And although I’ve never refereed professional matches, I feel like I’ve been in the game long enough to know what’s going on … and to know what to do about it !!

Canadian football isn’t really different from European football. Same goes for referee’s abuse. Sure, it happens a little less often, but once is already too much.

For the last 3 years, I, along with Mr Daniel Fortin, a veteran referee with over 20 years of experience, are in charge of the training of the referees for the Pointe-aux-Trembles’ Soccer Association (ASPAT). I’ve also been in charge of the relations between the teams and the refs, in some ways.

Let me first get back to David Aaronovich’s article entitled  "I feel sorry for these scapegoats":

"In my opinion," he wrote, "it is in the isolation of referees that we heighten, not lessen, the tensions."

I couldn’t agree more with that. I always feel like there are 2 kinds of people in the football world. There are the refs, and there are the rest of the world. And since those two groups don’t ever talk, and don’t like each other (especially on one side), it creates tensions, and with tensions, most of the time, comes abuse.

That’s why I try to bring the two worlds together. So that the teams and the refs know each others, and bring less of a hate-filled relationship on the pitch.

For example, last season, due to my back problems, most of my matches were in the 14-years-old league of the ASPAT. Most of the players in this league are players that I’ve been refereeing since they started, or, for the older players, since I started. The players know me, the managers know me, even the parents know me. The result ? I cautioned only 1 player for verbal abuse, throughout the entire season, and it was during the final, which is always emotion filled. And it wasn’t because they were little angels. I know some of my best referees who were having trouble with these guys.

At the beginning of every season, the ASPAT holds a training week-end for the managers. On the Sunday, they invite me for some sort of seminar, if you will. Some of you might say it’s suicide, but I feel it’s more of a casual meeting. No black or yellow jersey, no whistle, no cards. I stand in front of about 30 managers, some being veterans, but some being rookies as well. I go through the Laws Of The Game, they ask me questions. Mostly about Law 11 and 12. Then I talk about the referee’s role. The referee is no monster. He’s not a whistle-bearing guy who will book you if you look at him wrong. He’s not going to call a free kick for breathing behind an opponent’s back. He’s here to do a job, and that’s to ensure the players’ safety. And to be sure the game of football is fun for everyone.

I explain to the managers that, sure, you might not like some (or most) of his calls. I explain that the refs’ decisions aren’t always right. Heck, even I make mistakes, and I’ve been in the game for 10 years ! After all, we’re all human. Even the managers, even the players make mistakes. So why should the referee be any different ?

You’d be surprised of how many managers understand that !

Then I give them my pager number, so that, if any problem arises with the referees, we can talk about it.

Of course, this usually works with rookie managers. It might be hard to put all this into the mind of a guy who’s been managing for 15 years, and whose sole opinion of a referee is that he’s a dumba**.

But let me illustrate the impact that this meeting with the managers has. Over the past two years, the ASPAT had only 2 major problems with managers. You know, the kind of problem that has 4 parents call you to say that this manager is way out of his mind. The kind of problem that require a referee with 10 years of experience (!!) to referee a 9-years-old match !

This is why I feel like referee abuse CAN be stopped. I truly hope that youth football associations read this so they can help finding the cure for this plague. In my humble opinion, I think that it’s best to start with youth football, and their managers, who usually are rookies, so that they can grow up with a positive opinion about the man in black.

For any comment of this article, please e-mail : riopel.francois@teccart.qc.ca

To obtain the Referees' Licence in Romania, young men and women between the ages of 16 and 28 can apply to attend a free course of lectures organised by The Football Referees' Committee of their respective County. People older than 28 are not permitted to attend the course.

Depending on the places available, each County Football Association organises an entrance examination consisting of:

- Medical control: A specialist doctor in sport medicine examines each candidate to ascertain if they are healthy enough.

- Physical test: 50 metres – max 10 sec; 200 metres - max 40 sec; 12 minutes – min 2000 metres.

- Oral theory test: Candidates are tested on their knowledge of the Laws of the Game.

The course commences in November, and finishes in February. Candidates attend one day each week throughout this period, and sessions are of two hours duration.

The volunteer lecturers are experienced persons in the field of theoretical and practical training. Each class begins with revision of the previous day's lesson.

Themes are:

- The Laws of the Game;

- The Regulations of the Football Activity in Romania;

- The Regulations of the Organisation of Referees Activity in Romania.

The students have to pass a written examination, a physical test and a practical examination (they Referee in a 'Junior' level match). The pass mark of each examination is 5, in scale 1 to 10. On successful completion, the candidates are allowed to Referee in 'Junior' matches.

The levels of Referees in Romania are as follows:

- Probation Referee;

- Second Category Referee.

- First Category Referee.

The Referees for the National Divisions are selected from the First Category Referees.

The President of the Referees Committee in my district has been asked to encourage all young people to attend to course. The ultimate aim is to retain those successful candidates who really like Refereeing, studying and training hard themselves. But even those candidates who do not continue on into Refereeing, will have learnt the Laws of the Game and will be able to understand and respect the decisions made by the Referee when they watch games. They will also have occupied their time by learning interesting matters, instead of hanging around in restaurants or drinking alcohol and smoking in discos, or doing other noxious things!

October 2003 Daniel Munteanu

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