RefeReeing offenCeS - The Football Association

FOREWORD
FEATURE
REFEREES
REFEREES
REFEREEING AT THE FA
FITNESS & TRAINING
FEATURE
REFEREEING AT THE FA
THE REFEREES
ASSOCIATION OF ENGLAND
THE REFEREES
ASSOCIATION OF ENGLAND
The following are clear examples of dissent
by action and should be dealt with by a caution:
• Throwing the ball into the ground
• Throwing or kicking the ball away
• Running towards the referee or assistant
to argue with a decision
• Making a ‘glasses’ signal
• Sarcastic clapping
• Crowding around a referee or assistant
How to deal with verbal and physical
reactions to decisions
Normally a stepped approach can be used
when dealing with verbal or physical reactions
to decisions.
1. A quiet word to warn the offender and to
let him know that you are not happy with
his behaviour.
2. A formal rebuke. You need to isolate the
offender and ensure that he, the other players,
managers and supporters are aware that you
are not happy with his behaviour. You may
consider using the captain at this point.
A ‘cutting the grass’ signal can also help you
to ‘sell’ the fact that you are not happy and
will not accept anymore.
3. A caution. If a player shows dissent you have
no option but to caution. If you have gone
through the stepped approach most players
and supporters will accept that you have
warned them and they have only themselves
to blame.
At times a player will show serious dissent to
the refereeing team’s decision. At this stage you
need to caution the player immediately and it
will not be possible to use the stepped approach.
Can we stop dissent?
It is not always possible to stop dissent
happening in your game. However, it is important
that we are pro-active in our approach as
prevention is better than cure. Here are some
tips for helping to stop dissent:
• Do your homework
Is the game a relegation battle, championship
decider or local derby? Is there history between
the two teams? Factors like this can raise the
tension and intensity of the match, so information
such as this will help you manage the game. Also,
are there individual players who are potentially
difficult? What strategies have other referees
used to manage the players successfully?
• Read the signs
Try to gauge when a player is becoming
frustrated as this is when dissent is likely.
Their body language and attitude towards you,
the opposition and team mates is a key indicator
that dissent may soon occur. There are also times
and incidents within games which can heighten
tension and may ultimately lead to dissent.
Examples of these times include: the beginning
of the game, just before and after half-time,
when a player has been injured, when there has
been a controversial decision, a last minute goal,
penalty or a red card. These are all potential
flashpoint moments which can cause players
to lose their calm; this can lead to frustration
and ultimately dissent. It is important that you
recognise these moments within games and
then deal with them appropriately. At such times
you may need to ‘raise your profile’. You need
to be alert and react appropriately, using all your
skills to manage the game and avoid dissent.
• Intervene early
As a referee you need to be on the lookout for
players who you feel show dissent. Players who
are making mistakes, being fouled, missing shots,
being criticised by the manager and spectators
are more likely to become frustrated and this
in turn can lead to dissent. In order to prevent
this show some sympathy for the player, try
and ‘work with them’ and get them on your
side. You may wish to use the captain, this is
something that many referees have done for a
long time but is now more actively encouraged
and appreciated due to the Respect programme.
If a player will not listen to you maybe the
captain or a key player can calm the player down?
• Manage players and the game
Use your skills and management techniques
in order to manage the game and players.
Recognise that some players will respond well
to a joke to diffuse the tension whereas others
will need you to take more formal action earlier
in the game.
• Quality and accuracy of decision-making
The best way to minimise dissent is to get
decisions, especially critical decisions, right.
Your key refereeing skills of positioning,
signals and reading the game will help you
make correct decisions and ‘sell’ your decisions
confidently which will reduce the amount
of dissent you experience.
Conclusion
Be pro-active in your approach to dissent.
Don’t take dissent personally and do not allow
the players to undermine your confidence in your
decision-making. Develop your overall refereeing
skills and your ability to deal with dissent and
you will become a better official and enjoy the
game more. You have a responsibility to the
game, yourself and your colleagues to deal with
dissent. Doing nothing is simply not an option.
A player who is guilty of dissent
by protesting (verbally or
non-verbally) against a referee’s
decision must be cautioned
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