Question:
This happened while I was watching a U14B Class II select game prior to the one I was supposed to ref.
The CR was a very well respected guy that has a lot of experience in our league. One of the AR’s (on the coaches side) kept bragging about how good he was where he moved from (California, I think) and kept making really bad comments about the performance of the CR.
In my opinion, the CR was doing a pretty good job in a very physical game.
At one point in the game, the CR called a PK in the area that was on the other side from the AR I am talking about. Well, the AR went ballistic and ran all the way to the other side of the field and started arguing with ther CR on how that was not a PK, etc, etc…
From that point on, it turned really nasty as the AR kept making bad comments of the CR performance, very loud so everyone could hear. The CR acted very calmed and didn’t really paid attention to the AR comments, but certainly did not help with the game.
My question is: Can a CR dismiss an AR who is having this type of behavior and ask one of the clubs to assign a linesman?
I am hoping the CR wrote a very long report about the AR, and hopefully I won’t see that AR again.
USSF answer (November 17, 2008):
Yes, a referee may indeed dismiss an assistant referee who is behaving in that manner. Here is the word, straight from Law 6:
In the event of undue interference or improper conduct, the referee will relieve an assistant referee of his duties and make a report to the appropriate authorities.
And the referee should report the AR to the state referee authorities for breach of the Referee Code of Ethics.
