Handling Sideline Dissent

Handling Dissent

  • Per the AYSO National Rules and Regulations, “…negative comments and complaints about refereeing will not be allowed.” Per IFAB LOTG, Law 5.2…”The decisions of the referee, and all other match officials, must always be respected.” IFAB Law provides for the referee to “stop, suspend or terminate the match because of outside interference of any kind.”
  • Coaches and Spectators must behave in a responsible and acceptable manner. Irresponsible and/or unacceptable behavior by coaches or spectators should be dealt with by the referee and also reported to the Regional Referee Administrator at: rra@ayso20.org
    • LOTG Law 12—refer to section 12.3 to see what is worthy of a Warning, Caution, or Send-off
    • Coaches:
      • Verbal Warning, Caution (YC), Send-off (RC) Reporting: submit detailed email report of Cautions (YC) to RRA. Red Cards require completion and submission of a formal Referee Report
    • Spectators:
      • Delay the restart, have the coach deal with the spectator(s). Abandon the game if needed
    • Review “Referee Abuse Prevention” (RAP) policy (go to USSF at www.ussoccer.com/rap)
      • DISSENT—identify and manage it. Change the soccer “culture” that allows it.
      • Anything more than an honest and brief reaction must be addressed.
      • Why—dissent undermines the match officials’ authority, reduces flow, reduces enjoyment, can escalate/spread, and leads to an unstable environment.
      • What constitutes Dissent? If it’s Personal, Public, Provocative, and/or Persistent, it’s dissent.
        • Personal—directed at you, calls attention to you, questions you; rude, insulting, doesn’t belong, no place for it here (would this behavior be allowed at your workplace, a store, at school)
        • Public—visible/audible, others see/hear it vs legitimate/reasonable questions; consider distance and voice necessary; an honest/brief reaction?
        • Provocative—shocking; intended to provoke a reaction or response from the recipient; causing annoyance, anger, or a strong reaction, especially deliberately. No room for it at a youth soccer game with volunteer referees.
        • Persistent—repeated commentary or reactions to referee decisions (even if low-level)
      • Managing Dissent—first, determine the severity of the incident; respond accordingly
        • Address it early while it’s still at a lower-level; avoid escalation
        • Minor disagreement warrants a verbal Warning
        • Moderate or persistent disagreement/dissent warrants a Caution (YC)
        • Major irresponsible/unacceptable behavior/dissent warrants a Sending-off (RC)
        • Don’t use your “thick skin” thing; what about the next (maybe less-seasoned) referee crew?
      • Managing Dissent—you’ll need these qualities for effective management:
        • Calm
        • Respectful
        • Courteous
        • Firm
      • Managing Dissent — “The Method”
        • Don’t add fuel to the fire; keep your emotion/energy-level low
        • Explain the problem respectfully, watch your tone, keep it “all business”
        • Outline the repercussions; make it clear that it’s their decision what comes next… (YC or RC?)
        • Check for understanding — “Do you understand?”
        • Wait for confirmation
        • Say “Thank you.”

Minor Disagreement/Dissent–verbal Warning:  “Coach, your behavior right now is not acceptable, please stop or you’ll receive a Caution. Do you understand? Thank you.”

“Coach, your behavior right now is not acceptable. You are being Warned for your irresponsible behavior, including __________. Please stop or you’ll receive a Caution. The decision is yours. Do you understand? Thank you.”

Persistent Disagreement/Dissent–Yellow Card:  “Coach, your behavior continues to be unacceptable, and I’ve asked you to stop. [Issue the Caution – yellow card.] If your behavior continues, you’ll be sent off. Do you understand? Thank you.”

Moderate Disagreement/Dissent–Straight Yellow Card: “Coach, your behavior is unacceptable.  [Show the yellow card.] You are being Cautioned for ___________. If your behavior continues, you’ll be Sent-off. The decision is yours. Do you understand? Thank you.”

Major/Severe Dissent–Straight Red Card: “Coach, your behavior is unacceptable. (Or, if a second yellow, “You have been told to stop. You have been Warned and/or Cautioned.) [Issue the red card.] You are Sent-off from the match.” (This does not require a lengthy discussion or a debate.)

SPECTATORS: “Coach, the behavior of your spectators is irresponsible/unacceptable [or otherwise explain the situation]. We’re not able to restart the game until this issue is addressed. Would you please help manage your spectators?” [Wait for response] – “Thank you.

Reporting

  • Send “AYSO Referee Report” with complete details to: rra@ayso20.org, and cc: arcboys@ayso20.org or arcgirls@ayso20.org
  • Report link:   chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/http://ayso20.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/AYSO_Referee_Report_20170321.pdf