The Ref Stop

'Difficult' team consecutive weeks

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Mackemdownsouth

New Member
Level 4 Referee
Long time reader, first time poster.

Game coming up with one of the same sides I had last weekend. I gave two penalties against them and sent one of their players off, so not their best friend. On top of that, I also had reason to report the club for misconduct.

Sunday League.

I've got them again this weekend. I very nearly asked to come off the game, as I did feel very uncomfortable with some of their behaviour (surrounding me, swearing etc). but I need the fixtures for my promotion.

Any tips on things to say or do to try and 'break the ice' with their captain and manager before KO would be welcomed. From my POV it's a fresh week and a new game, but I'm not sure they will think of it like that...

Thanks all,

MDS
 
The Ref Stop
If there is an open misconduct then you should be nowhere near that game.

You need to speak to the appointments officer, explain and ask if he could swap you with another.

Honestly, I would be coming off that. It's a legitimate reason, it's not a cry off, it's not tactical, and if it does go south again it could prejudice any ongoing proceedings.

I know it's not the question you asked but it really is the answer you need
 
JamesL said:
If there is an open misconduct then you should be nowhere near that game.

You need to speak to the appointments officer, explain and ask if he could swap you with another.

Honestly, I would be coming off that. It's a legitimate reason, it's not a cry off, it's not tactical, and if it does go south again it could prejudice any ongoing proceedings.

I know it's not the question you asked but it really is the answer you need
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Thank you.

Yes, against one of their players for his behaviour after I sent him off.

I’ve asked to come off the game and to do another.

As I say, I would do it, but it doesn’t feel right, so think this is the best option.

Just hope it doesn’t go against me …
 
Mackemdownsouth said:
Just hope it doesn’t go against me …
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Asking to swap a game because you can't be arsed to referee a particular team or don't fancy going to a particular venue could go against you. Coming off a game because there is an open misconduct charge against a player from that team is absolutely essential and won't go against you.

If anything, it's quite poor appointing to give you the same team consecutive weeks even if there weren't any issues (although some appointments officers will be dealing with various complications I know nothing about so it might be necessary) but you simply can't do the game given the open misconduct charge.
 
Easy one of picking up the phone, calling your appts sec, and explaining that there's an open misconduct charge. You'll get another game. It's January.
 
Mackemdownsouth said:
Just hope it doesn’t go against me …
Click to expand...
Nothing will be held against you, the appointments officer, if he has even the most basic levels of competency, will realise that he should have never left you left you on that game in the first place.

Imagine if you stayed on it and something happened with the same team, like another red card or misconduct charge. They would probably claim that you had a grudge against them, and if they appealed any of the offences and requested a personal appeal what would that look like. The appeal panel would be aghast that a referee who had reported a team and / or some of its players for misconduct was back refereeing the same team the following week. You could even have the farcical situation that it was the same panel hearing cases involving the same team with the same referee.
 
RustyRef said:
Nothing will be held against you, the appointments officer, if he has even the most basic levels of competency, will realise that he should have never left you left you on that game in the first place.
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In the defence of this sunday league a/s, they may have had no idea about this
 
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When I appointed (about 150 regular ref's and 350 games a weekend) I made sure I don't appoint the same ref to the same team for the top two tiers only (about 12 tiers in the OA). In addtion I checked all send off and indicent/misconduct/extraordinary reports for not reappointing. Simply not enough time to check everyone else. However as part of comms to referees, they know if they get the same team, they should let me know and I'd swap them.

This appointments officer should be aware of red card and similar reports. If he is, its poor form from him. If he is not, there is a problem with the process.
 
Mackemdownsouth said:
Thank you all for your help. Without going into details to avoid the league being identified, I’ve managed to come off the game. It wasn’t straightforward.

The AO was aware when I was appointed.

MDS.
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It really should be straight forward. You shouldn’t have really been appointed in the first place, but it should be very simple to come off it for the reasons you had.

It sounds like the league is maybe not ran particularly well. Is there a reason you do the league?
 
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Runner Ref said:
It really should be straight forward. You shouldn’t have really been appointed in the first place, but it should be very simple to come off it for the reasons you had.

It sounds like the league is maybe not ran particularly well. Is there a reason you do the league?
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It’s the only one possible for Sundays near me.

MDS
 
Thanks for your help on this thread ladies and gents.

The player has asked for a personal hearing.

Haven't had one for years and years. Apparently they are now on ZOOM.

I have my match return card from the game still (thankfully didn't put in my BIN folder) where I wrote down everything that was said at the time.

The League are being very helpful.
 
Mackemdownsouth said:
Thanks for your help on this thread ladies and gents.

The player has asked for a personal hearing.

Haven't had one for years and years. Apparently they are now on ZOOM.

I have my match return card from the game still (thankfully didn't put in my BIN folder) where I wrote down everything that was said at the time.

The League are being very helpful.
Click to expand...
Zoom version is merely an online version of the old personal hearing.
"Referee, have you anything to add to your report?"
"No, thank you"
Then the other participants are invited to add their input.
You may refer to your match record card if questioned.
The committee members may or may not be from your county.
 
ChasObserverRefDeveloper said:
Zoom version is merely an online version of the old personal hearing.
"Referee, have you anything to add to your report?"
"No, thank you"
Then the other participants are invited to add their input.
You may refer to your match record card if questioned.
The committee members may or may not be from your county.
Click to expand...
Thanks for your advice. This was held recently.

The panel were all very polite, asked me sensible questions, the player declined to ask me anything.

I was found to be a credible and a professional witness (referred to my report and match card which I had with me).

The case was proven and the ‘sentence’ very fair with a long ban.
 
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Mackemdownsouth said:
Thanks for your advice. This was held recently.

The panel were all very polite, asked me sensible questions, the player declined to ask me anything.

I was found to be a credible and a professional witness (referred to my report and match card which I had with).

The case was proven and the ‘sentence’ very fair with a long ban.
Click to expand...
Good to hear that it went smoothly. Well prepared, well done!
 
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