Tricky game at the weekend (u17). Slightly grumpy but uneventful first hour. Then blue and red decide to square up after a nothing challenge. Blue punches red. Red throws one back. They step back for a second then both decide to have another go. I deal with blue, who goes off with no complaint. I then call red over, but he refuses to come and starts heading for the sideline. I call him a couple of times, but he just continues off. I walk after him and one of his colleagues stops him. I ask him for his name and he gives me an answer that sounds dubious (no team sheets to check in this league). I ask him to confirm, which he does. Still not convinced. Before I can tell him he is off he turns and heads for the sideline again. I call him back but he ignores me. I walk to the sideline to be met by manager and dad full of 'the other lad started it', 'it was only self defence' and other similar excuses. I eventually manage to make it clear he is off, but avoid waving a red card as it seems likely to inflame things further. Instead I speak to the captains, made it clear both are off and ask them to calm everyone down. Three things I'd love a view on as a relatively new ref :
1. Should I have followed the player or stood still and demanded he comes back ? Having refused several times don't think he would have done.
2. Checked the league website afterwards and surprise surprise no such player ! Would you have tried to get the name from another player or left it and let the county fa sort it ? I thought asking twice was enough and left it.
3. What about not showing the red card ?
Thanks !
1. Should I have followed the player or stood still and demanded he comes back ? Having refused several times don't think he would have done.
2. Checked the league website afterwards and surprise surprise no such player ! Would you have tried to get the name from another player or left it and let the county fa sort it ? I thought asking twice was enough and left it.
3. What about not showing the red card ?
Thanks !