I dont do too many small sided youth games but covered 3 games this weekend in our state's championship tournament.
Here is the scenario. 9v9 game u11's. Pretty non-eventful game. White clearly better than blue. White up 2-0 at half but very dominant. Blue player undercuts a white player who was going up for header and white player falls on him. Blue player injured but foul is on blue. Blue player cannot continue and blue has no subs, plays short for remainder. 5-0 white with one minute left to go. Blue trying to get a goal. Loose ball just outside top left corner of White's PA. Blue 7 is big kid about 20 lbs heavier than most. White wins ball and clears it out. Blue 7 and white players had all been frantically attempting to win ball but no pushing and nobody went down. White cleats the ball across to the other side of the field and about 10 yards upfield. Play is over right????? Nope... I am in the middle of the field and about 10 yards outside the PA between where white won the ball and where the ball has gone. The play at the PA had been clearly over when Blue 7 turns away from play and the ball toward the white defender and kicks him across both shins (does not knock him down). I would describe it as moderate force but clearly a frustration anger thing. I blow the whistle and run to the two kids. Blue 7 is attempting to walk away. I call him over, ask his name, Inform him the "we wont be kicking people today" and issue a RC for VC. Both AR's and both coaches missed it as the play had moved across the field and 10-20 yards upfield when it happened.
I know how it is... people including other referees, administrators, etc tend to judge based solely on the age and the discipline. I know that it got around soccer circles quickly that I sent off a u11 but how do you not??? When I talked to the kid, I really hate to send off a u11 but It is clearly VC and there is no choice in my opinion. I may be branded a jerk but that is not to be tolerated at any age in my opinion.
Here is the scenario. 9v9 game u11's. Pretty non-eventful game. White clearly better than blue. White up 2-0 at half but very dominant. Blue player undercuts a white player who was going up for header and white player falls on him. Blue player injured but foul is on blue. Blue player cannot continue and blue has no subs, plays short for remainder. 5-0 white with one minute left to go. Blue trying to get a goal. Loose ball just outside top left corner of White's PA. Blue 7 is big kid about 20 lbs heavier than most. White wins ball and clears it out. Blue 7 and white players had all been frantically attempting to win ball but no pushing and nobody went down. White cleats the ball across to the other side of the field and about 10 yards upfield. Play is over right????? Nope... I am in the middle of the field and about 10 yards outside the PA between where white won the ball and where the ball has gone. The play at the PA had been clearly over when Blue 7 turns away from play and the ball toward the white defender and kicks him across both shins (does not knock him down). I would describe it as moderate force but clearly a frustration anger thing. I blow the whistle and run to the two kids. Blue 7 is attempting to walk away. I call him over, ask his name, Inform him the "we wont be kicking people today" and issue a RC for VC. Both AR's and both coaches missed it as the play had moved across the field and 10-20 yards upfield when it happened.
I know how it is... people including other referees, administrators, etc tend to judge based solely on the age and the discipline. I know that it got around soccer circles quickly that I sent off a u11 but how do you not??? When I talked to the kid, I really hate to send off a u11 but It is clearly VC and there is no choice in my opinion. I may be branded a jerk but that is not to be tolerated at any age in my opinion.
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