Question Number: 23556

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 6/25/2010

RE: rec Adult

Cam of kelowna, BC canada asks...

After I was hacked in penalty area I politely asked the ref to keep an eye out for any of this stuff. He waved me away saying 'get out of here' because he was issuing a card to another player. Next time down the field I took a high cleat to the chest which spectators apparently heard, however I kept running wide with the ball, entering the box and again felt I was fouled. In my frustration I proclaimed 'Are you f**king high!? Give me a break!'

The ref blew his whistle, called me over, and gave me straight red. I've been suspended by my rec men's league for a month for 'Abusive, Offensive, and/or Insulting Language towards a ref.

Was this the right call?

To give the honest facts: I yelled the comment, looking around for the ref, however it was more of a fed-up tone of voice rather than a directed comment at the ref. I did not point at him, nor did I proceed to swear at him or anything.

I want to appeal my suspension.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Cam
I would not bother appealing this suspension. In your frustration you used Abusive, Offensive, and/or Insulting Language towards the referee and I would have dismissed you for the same shout. The fact that you were looking around at the referee when you shouted is enough for the dismissal. Indeed if you shouted this at an opponent it would be the same offence. Any referee will find this comment offensive and insulting and yet the decision is a personal matter for each referee. I suspect as well that in the referee's report he quoted what you said word for word and that report is used to determine the suspension.

Answer provided by Referee Michelle Maloney

Accusing the referee of being on some kind of drug is the height of insult, short of a direct physical blow. While I can understand your frustration, the lesson here is not to let your mouth get the better of you.

You did, the referee applied the appropriate penalty, and your league clearly has rules about how such actions are punished. Appeal if you like, but it will be money wasted.

Answer provided by Referee Ben Mueller

I agree with the referee here. Sorry! That is unacceptable behavior and I would have not hesitated to send you off either.

Answer provided by Referee Jason Wright

A comment of 'are you high?' is attacking both the integrity and professionalism of the referee, and I wouldn't blame any referee who sent you off for that. However, like most aspects of the laws of the game, it is up to the referees judgement whether comments constitute dissent or offensive, insulting and/or abusive language.

The fact that you yelled this out and swore while doing so only makes it worse.

The fact that you weren't looking at the referee isn't particularly relevant - obviously your comment was still directed at him.

As I said, the referee made a subjective call and I support his decision to send you off.

You have no grounds for appealing the red card; the referee has applied the law correctly. As for the severity of the sentence - many organisations have heavy sentences for offences against match officials - and your comment was clearly directed at the referee.

Regardless of whether you meant to swear at the referee, the simple fact of using foul language is enough to potentially be considered guilty of offensive language - however swearing certainly isn't a prerequisite for being sent off for offensive, insulting and/or abusive and/or gestures!

Next time keep your cool - I can think of a number of reasons why the referee disagrees with you about you being fouled, but they're all irrelevant as you're still responsible for your own actions.

I'd also like to offer you a suggestion; when the referee is dealing with another player he doesn't need you making the situation worse by undermining his authority with unnecessary comments. If I'm cautioning a player, the last thing I want is another player complaining about something he perceives I've done incorrectly.

If you wish to calmly, politely and respectfully raise a concern with the referee, find a quieter time to do it and not during a tense situation where the referee needs to retain his authority, which sounds like the sort of situation you intervened in.

The referee still may not appreciate your suggestion, but you've got a much better chance of a positive response then chewing off his ear while he's trying to get the match under control.