A couple of weeks ago I did a mid-level (for a level 7 referee) open age game, with an assessor present. Although I hadn't official received confirmation of my promotion to level 6 (which I have since received), he confirmed that he'd been told he was assessing me as a level 6, for promotion to 5.
Anyway, 16 minutes into the game: I've had a few niggly fouls and have had to have a word with a couple of players about silly challenges going in. Ball is running out of play for a goal kick and defender (home team) is shielding it out. Attacker (away team) comes charging in from behind, slides around the player and takes him out. He's made a bit of contact with the ball but from the angle he went in at he never really stood much chance of winning it. I blow for a foul, call the physio (manager with water bottle) on, and make a note of offending player. Once I've ascertained the injured player is alright, I call the offender over and issue the caution. No complains from him, or any of his team. During the previous passage of play, however, I noticed that there were two away substitutes standing (in full kit) pitch-side near the halfway line. As I run up the field to take my position for the free kick, I give the subs a quick shout of 'can we get some jackets on please lads?'
So far in my very short career (2 years) I have never had any response to this other than 'yeah sure, sorry ref'. They all know why they shouldn't be pitch side in kit, and I'm sure they've all been asked multiple times to cover up. On this occasion, however, they both just stared at me with blank looks on their faces (as if I'd asked them to strip down and start twerking), and a spectator who was standing with them shouts out 'why ref? They're not causing any problem, stop being so ridiculous and get on with the game.' Slightly bemused by this reaction, I walk over and explain that substitutes wearing kit standing next to the pitch could be mistaken as players, which will confuse my assistant (CAR) on the other side of the pitch, myself, and players from both teams. I once again request politely and respectfully that the substitutes cover their shirts, which they both make movements to do. I turn around to get back to the game and hear 'And don't you dare f***ing come over here and talk to me like that again' from behind me. I turn, this time utterly confused as why the spectator has reacted this way, and he looks me in the eye and adds 'You c***'.
I immediately called the away team manager (who was acting as CAR on the far side of the pitch) and inform him that I'd like the spectator removed from the vicinity of the field of play. I then spend a further minute arguing with him as he 'has no idea who the guy is', 'has no responsibility to control the spectators', and 'cannot do anything about it'. I inform him that I will be forced to abandon the game unless the spectator is removed, but he insists there is nothing he can do about it. Overhearing the conversation, the spectator climbs over a small mesh wire fence surrounding the vicinity of the pitch, and I inform him that I am not happy to continue until he is far enough away that I cannot be subjected to his abuse. Eventually, he leaves.
At the time, I was reasonably pleased with the way I dealt with the situation, and was happy that it was an incident that I could have done little to prevent. However, the assessor at half time suggested that I didn't need to dismiss him, and that perhaps I could have man managed the situation, and given the spectator a warning instead. He's written in my assessment that
'I felt you tended to speak rather sturnley (sic) to players and spectators at times which seemed to undermind (sic) your control. A more softer approach showing respect would possible have prevented the incident with the spectators on the sideline in the 16th min. Rather than shout at the subs from 20/30yds to cover their shirts, if you had approached them to the touchline a short request to cover up could have been said preventing reaction from the spectators. Also its not the responsibility of the manager to control spectators.'
Thoughts?
Anyway, 16 minutes into the game: I've had a few niggly fouls and have had to have a word with a couple of players about silly challenges going in. Ball is running out of play for a goal kick and defender (home team) is shielding it out. Attacker (away team) comes charging in from behind, slides around the player and takes him out. He's made a bit of contact with the ball but from the angle he went in at he never really stood much chance of winning it. I blow for a foul, call the physio (manager with water bottle) on, and make a note of offending player. Once I've ascertained the injured player is alright, I call the offender over and issue the caution. No complains from him, or any of his team. During the previous passage of play, however, I noticed that there were two away substitutes standing (in full kit) pitch-side near the halfway line. As I run up the field to take my position for the free kick, I give the subs a quick shout of 'can we get some jackets on please lads?'
So far in my very short career (2 years) I have never had any response to this other than 'yeah sure, sorry ref'. They all know why they shouldn't be pitch side in kit, and I'm sure they've all been asked multiple times to cover up. On this occasion, however, they both just stared at me with blank looks on their faces (as if I'd asked them to strip down and start twerking), and a spectator who was standing with them shouts out 'why ref? They're not causing any problem, stop being so ridiculous and get on with the game.' Slightly bemused by this reaction, I walk over and explain that substitutes wearing kit standing next to the pitch could be mistaken as players, which will confuse my assistant (CAR) on the other side of the pitch, myself, and players from both teams. I once again request politely and respectfully that the substitutes cover their shirts, which they both make movements to do. I turn around to get back to the game and hear 'And don't you dare f***ing come over here and talk to me like that again' from behind me. I turn, this time utterly confused as why the spectator has reacted this way, and he looks me in the eye and adds 'You c***'.
I immediately called the away team manager (who was acting as CAR on the far side of the pitch) and inform him that I'd like the spectator removed from the vicinity of the field of play. I then spend a further minute arguing with him as he 'has no idea who the guy is', 'has no responsibility to control the spectators', and 'cannot do anything about it'. I inform him that I will be forced to abandon the game unless the spectator is removed, but he insists there is nothing he can do about it. Overhearing the conversation, the spectator climbs over a small mesh wire fence surrounding the vicinity of the pitch, and I inform him that I am not happy to continue until he is far enough away that I cannot be subjected to his abuse. Eventually, he leaves.
At the time, I was reasonably pleased with the way I dealt with the situation, and was happy that it was an incident that I could have done little to prevent. However, the assessor at half time suggested that I didn't need to dismiss him, and that perhaps I could have man managed the situation, and given the spectator a warning instead. He's written in my assessment that
'I felt you tended to speak rather sturnley (sic) to players and spectators at times which seemed to undermind (sic) your control. A more softer approach showing respect would possible have prevented the incident with the spectators on the sideline in the 16th min. Rather than shout at the subs from 20/30yds to cover their shirts, if you had approached them to the touchline a short request to cover up could have been said preventing reaction from the spectators. Also its not the responsibility of the manager to control spectators.'
Thoughts?
I thought exactly the same thing to be honest. I was given 'Standard Expected', overall, with 'Standard Expected' across all five competencies. Which is alright I guess but I feel quite harshly done by. I thought I had a really good game - 3 yellows (reckless play, dissent and delaying the restart), and a penalty (which the assessor agreed with). Played several good advantages which lead to goal scoring opportunities - the assessor disagreed with one of them that I played on the halfway line despite it leading to a cross and shot on goal. I was also picked up on positioning at a corner. I was on the side of the D closest to the corner being taken (as most of the corners had been in-swingers to the near post). Ball went long, ping ponged off two players and went out. Looked a goal kick to me so I awarded it, and ended up cautioning the attacker for dissent. Assessor said that I could have avoided the dissent if I'd been positioned correctly on the far side of the box.
