Managing Dissent & Confrontation Prepared by Paul Rejer

Dissent by Word or Action Verbally or through Action disputes or protests an official’s decision (Official = Referee, Assistant Referee, or Fourth Official)

When Do We Start to Manage? Challenges to Authority Before During After

5 - Expressions of Frustration Dissent Continuum Emotional Response Dissent (word) Dissent (action) Offensive, Insulting, Abusive Language & Gestures Violent Conduct List 5 - Expressions of Frustration Write Describe Each

Group Exercise 1 Sort these definitions of dissent into order of “weakest” to “strongest”….top to bottom (“weakest” being at the top) and give an example of each one. Protest Argue Object Ridicule Defy Question Dispute Confront

“A foul… you’re joking” Question “what was that for?” Protest “A foul… you’re joking” Dispute “That was never a foul, I never touched him” “How can you give a foul against us when you never gave one against them?” Argue Confront “Call yourself a referee? You should learn the game Object “I’m not having that… that’s ridiculous” Defy “No! You’re not sending me off. I’m not going” Ridicule “Get yourself some glasses ref?”

“Oh no, we’ve got you again have we “Oh no, we’ve got you again have we? Well I hope you’re going to be better than you were last time?” BEFORE BEFORE “Hey lads, look we’ve got that useless ref again today” BEFORE Refusing to acknowledge you or negative body language.

Continually asking questions to undermine your authority DURING DURING Repeatedly moaning about decisions DURING Derogatory or dismissive gestures DURING Running towards the referee to object DURING Players surrounding the referee DURING Pressurising the referee to change a decision

AFTER “You are the worst ref in the World” “Thanks for nothing ref; you cheated us out of that game” AFTER AFTER “Why don’t you do us a favor and retire” AFTER “Hope we don’t see you again this season”

Dissent The public nature of the actions (who can see it, who can hear it) Continually asking questions to undermine authority Repeated moaning about decisions

Dissent by Action Harassing Actions which convey aggressiveness toward an official Running aggressively towards an official objecting to decisions Invading the body space of an official Players surrounding an official or following/chasing an official around Pressuring an official to change a decision

Dissent by Action Harassing Gestures made in a derogatory (but non-offensive) manner Waving arms Pointing Clearly (verbally or physically) demanding a yellow or red card for an opponent Throwing / kicking the ball The goalkeeper leaving the penalty area to confront an official

Reality on and off the field of play “I love Soccer but I’m not a great player so thought I’d have a go at refereeing. I never thought that it would mean everyone shouting and screaming at me each weekend…” (15 year old referee)

MANAGING Dissent “Emotional Response” You must deal with all instances of dissent Cannot ignore, game control will be impacted Immediate complaint about a call or non-call is not really dissent, let the players express their opinion – briefly “Emotional Response” If it persists or is repetitive, you must take action

MANAGING Dissent Early recognition and early action Positive action – nip it in the bud early in the game Use of the captains Effective player management Disciplinary action

Need to eradicate this behavior from the game A scene that many referees are familiar with and which we are trying to eradicate from the game. 6 December 2018

Dealing with Confrontation Remain calm and concentrated Identify and isolate the main protagonist / aggressor Move to a neutral zone Maintain eye contact with the player Show the appropriate card (when needed) with calmness and dignity Be assertive

Key Responsibilities of the Referee Apply the LOTG consistently Be a Role Model Treat the players with respect Be calm, positive and confident Communicate effectively Use the Team Captain, if required, to help manage the players Manage poor behavior including sanctions Be pro-active: don't look for problems Deal positively with challenges to your authority – DO NOT IGNORE IT Consider a stepped approach to managing players

Managing the Players A Stepped Approach This step approach is nothing new but an explanation should be used to highlight the dynamics/meaning of each step. Step 1 – Quiet Word. A player may comment about a decision or make a half hearted appeal for a foul. This could be dealt with by the use of a quiet word. Step 2 – Obvious Word. The first sign of any dissent should be nipped in the bud. A more obvious word where it is obvious you are offering advice to a player to all watching. Step 3 – Public Rebuke. This is the stage where you might considering using the captain. If a player makes a audible comment to you or passes opinion about your decision making. If a player has had one or two quips then consider involving the captain. Of course if it’s the captain then you use the powers invested in you under the LOTG. Step 4 – Yellow Card. Referees must not forget Law 12 and some aspects of law are opinion, some give the referee no choice. Step 5 – Red Card. The ultimate sanction where you as the referee must be sure of what you have seen and deal with the situation with confidence & calmness. NB. A Special Reinforcement needs to made that if a player commits an offence which is punishable with a caution or send off then there is no requirement to go through the stepped approach. Public Rebuke Obvious Word This is the time referees should consider using the captain to more visibly get the message across Quiet Word

Use of the Captain No status in Law Consider if they will be helpful or not Consider distance of Captain “Thinking Time” Explain to the Captain why you have involved them State if no improvement or reoccurrence then misconduct likely

Group Exercise 2 As a referee, what has been the biggest challenge to your authority which you have faced?

Do You Recognize . . . Emotional Outburst Dissent by action - YC Clip 1 Clip 6 Abusive Language & Violent Conduct - RC Emotional Outburst – Public Rebuke Clip 2 Clip 7 Dissent – YC (Prevention?) Violent Conduct - RC Clip 3 Clip 8 Minimum YC (prevention) Discussion Clips Clips 4A & B Clip 9 Dissent – YC (Ref positive management but player persistence) Dismissal – Irresponsible Behavior Clip 5 Clip 10

Summary - Dissent Practical Refereeing Preventative action Don’t add “fuel to the fire” Remain calm Give player(s) space – neutral ground Acknowledge and deal with it early