1. Dissent U.S. Soccer Federation Referee Program Grade 7 Referee Course
Online Training Script:
Welcome to U.S. Soccer’s online training for the Grade 7 Referee Course.
Training for this course is specific to preparing officials for the amateur adult game.
This presentation focuses on dissent.
Classroom Instructor Talking Points:
U.S. Soccer Federation Referee Program
Grade 7 Referee Course
Amateur Adult Training

2. Dissent Undermines authority Reduces game flow
Reduces enjoyment for players and spectators
Can escalate or spread if not dealt with
Online Training Script:
Dissent toward the referee can erode or undermine his or her authority to control the match.
It can also negatively effect the flow of the game and the enjoyment of those watching.
It can also have a direct impact on the players and can lead to bigger problems so dissent must be dealt with when it is directed toward officials.
Classroom Instructor Talking Points:

3. Management Dissent Various forms Varying degrees
Practical and flexible approach
Temporary or emotional reactions
Public or private warning
Card or no card
Online Training Script:
Dissent can come in many forms and can include anything from kicking the ball away when a call is not liked to confronting the referee over a decision.
Since there is no definitive list of actions that qualify as dissent, referees should be practical when taking action.
Referees must make a determination given the game and the manner in which the dissent is delivered whether a yellow card is warranted or whether another method of managing, like issuing a severe verbal reprimand, will deliver positive results.
In general, the referee’s response to dissent should be consistent with the potential impact of the dissent.
Just as dissent can range from minor to moderate to serious, the referee’s responses can also range from ignoring a temporary outburst, to discretely warning a player during a stoppage, to publically admonishing the player, to showing him or her a caution.
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4. Management - PPP Public Personal Provocative Volume and visibility
Directed toward officials
Provocative
Zero tolerance policy for racial or discriminatory remarks
Online Training Script:
Referees working the amateur adult game can expect players to have emotional reactions to decisions and the referee needs to balance these outburst between those that are public, personal and provocative.
In deciding, among a range of options, which response will be most effective in managing a player who protests against a decision, the following criteria should be taken into account:
Are the player’s actions public in nature and how widely can the player’s language be heard or the gestures be seen?
In general, stronger measures are needed when more people can hear the comments or see the actions.
Is the protest aimed at an official or merely a generalized display of frustration without specific blame being placed on the referee?
Do gestures and body language make it clear that an official is being blamed and is the player using the official’s name or personal pronouns which focus on the official?
When dissent is directed at an official, some form of action should be taken by the referee.
Are the comments or actions intended to incite further misconduct, heighten the tension level or spark anger among others and potentially provoke further conflict on the field?
Provocative comments or actions should always be dealt with by the referee in a proactive attempt to avoid further issues.
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5. Management Online Training Script:
First and foremost, referees need to attempt to put a stop to dissent early in the match by positively addressing situations where dissent may arise or before a situation deteriorates where dissension is prevalent.
Early recognition and early attempts to address protesting will send a message that will hopefully resonate throughout the remainder of the game.
Issuing yellow cards for dissent early in the match is not necessarily the answer as these cards may handcuff the referee’s ability to manage situations later in the game.
However, early action by the referee to impart his or her presence and personality by communicating a tolerance level can be very effective for setting the tone for and managing future comments or actions from players.
Classroom Instructor Talking Points:

6. Captains Online Training Script:
Although team captains are not exempt from Law 12’s restriction on dissent, allowing a team captain to respectfully present a contrary opinion may serve as a useful outlet keeping in mind the public, personal, and provocative guidelines.
Such messages from a captain may provide useful early warnings for the referee to consider and may serve to positively affect future dissent by demonstrating the referee’s willingness to listen to player concerns.
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7. Send Offs Online Training Script:
Unfortunately, there may be times when officials will be faced with dissent that takes the form of offensive, insulting and/or abusive language and gestures.
Referees should adopt a zero tolerance policy for language that is racist or discriminatory in nature, and even if spoken in connection with dissent, comments of this nature are considered abusive language and require the speaker to be sent off.
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8. Review Question
If not dealt with by the referee, dissent can do which of the following?
Undermine the authority of the referee
Negatively impact game flow
Lead to game disrepute or mass confrontation
All of the above
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9. Review Question
What factors should the referee consider when dealing with dissent?
Loud, personal, offensive
Public, targeted, provocative
Public, personal, provocative
Offensive, inflammatory, detailed
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10. Review Question
Is using presence and personality a way for referees to set the tone early in the match when managing dissent?
Yes No
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11. Review Question
Which should the referee do to effectively manage dissent?
Completely ignore the first signs of dissent until it becomes a major problem
Be proactive and take action early in the game to put a stop to dissent before it leads to bigger problems
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