Ref assaulted at MISL game

[Shaydee]

surprised no one posted this here

Baltimore Blast head coach assaulted Yader Reyes following the Blast's loss to California on Saturday.

http://www.recordnet.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060320/SPORTS/60320003/1004

[Wreave]

Story updated:

click (http://www.recordnet.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060321/SPORTS11/603210326/1004/SPORTS)

[DerbyRam54]

While we're on the topic of assault on officials, refs in Connecticut may be interested to hear that the legislature is once again taking up this question. You may want to contact your state representative and urge them to support House Bill 5786 which would make assault on a sports official a class D felony.

[Chas (Psyatika)]

Byebye
The player, coach, manager, or official committing the referee assault is
automatically suspended as follows:
--for a minor or slight touching of the referee or the referee’s uniform or personal property, at least 3 months from the time of the assault;
--except as provided in clause (c) or (d), for any other assault, at least six months from the time of the assault;
--for an assault committed by an adult and the referee is 17 years of age or younger, at least 3 years; or
--for an assault when serious injuries are inflicted, at least 5 years.

A State Association adjudicating the matter may not provide a shorter period of suspension, however, if circumstances warrant, may provide a longer period of suspension.

[blind_clown]

Byebye
That doesn't apply to pro games. There's a whole different list somewhere else. 6 game minimum for assault.

[ctsoccer13]

Hopefully the bill will pass this year. Last year it failed to be brought up. There seems to be a push to pass it this year (I work at the CT Legislature). It has been rumored that they will amend it to also include coaches along with the referees. It's a good bill and as a High School coach I also encourage people to call. In my home town we the soccer club just adopted a Zero Tolerance policy that applies to all in town games, which gives the referee the ability to remove a fan/coach/parent/spectator from a field based on verbal communication. It's a good measure because we lost almost half of our younger referees due to the pressures they receive in youth games.

[Gary V]

Please remind me again why assault of a referee does not fall under the existing laws prohibiting assault.

[chrisrun]

Please remind me again why assault of a referee does not fall under the existing laws prohibiting assault.
It does. But laws are being passed that make the punishment for attacking sports officials more severe.

In Florida, assault or battery on a sports official is automatically upgraded to the next level. So, assault becomes battery, battery becomes aggrevated assault, aggrevated assault becomes aggrevated battery, etc.

[nsa]

Please remind me again why assault of a referee does not fall under the existing laws prohibiting assault.
Isn't it consensual S&M? ;)


Seriously, I believe that it does fall under normal assault and battery laws, however these legislations (Mass. has one under consideration, too, I believe) add stiffer penalties, particularly when it involves youth sports.

[DerbyRam54]

The "upgrade" in the CT legislation also provides for felony charges to be brought rather than misdemeanour.

[MassachusettsRef]

FYI, same two teams re-match tonight in Baltimore.

[KMJvet]

I was at the match at which the assault occurred and it is a total understatement to call it just a "headlock." Every time the players tried to pull him off the guy, he'd go back. It went on and on. Absolutely disgraceful. And it was weird because it was a well officiated match.

[whistleblowerusa]

I was at the match at which the assault occurred and it is a total understatement to call it just a "headlock." Every time the players tried to pull him off the guy, he'd go back. It went on and on. Absolutely disgraceful. And it was weird because it was a well officiated match.
This guy is always like this. He has been warned many times by the league about his behavior. I have seen him start fights with opposing coaches going in at half time where security has had to intervene. Good to be rid of him. It will hurt Baltimore's chances of winning a playoff match.

[KMJvet]

Sounds like somebody who needs to admit he has a bad problem and get couselling. Although I'm fine with the idea of the Stockton courts letting him contemplate his problem from jail for awhile. I do think your right, better if he's just out of coaching.

[Shackleton]

It does. But laws are being passed that make the punishment for attacking sports officials more severe.

In Florida, assault or battery on a sports official is automatically upgraded to the next level. So, assault becomes battery, battery becomes aggrevated assault, aggrevated assault becomes aggrevated battery, etc.

What's the rationale for a stiffer penalty for assaulting a sports official than Joe Citizen?

[tmaker]

What's the rationale for a stiffer penalty for assaulting a sports official than Joe Citizen?
What's the rationale for doubling traffic fines in a construction zone?

[Mr. Bee]

What's the rationale for doubling traffic fines in a construction zone?

Because there's people walking on the road making you more likely to hit a person.

That's not even a valid comparison :confused:

[DerbyRam54]

What's the rationale for a stiffer penalty for assaulting a sports official than Joe Citizen?
I would imagine it runs along these lines: sports officials, by the nature of the job, are targets for hostility. Society has an interest in people doing this job as it is part of useful leisure activity promoting good health and fitness etc etc. Therefore, society deems it a good idea to offer sports officials an extra degree of protection under the law. Or something like that.
It might take a while to sink in, but if those who assault officials are hit with a felony charge, word might get round.

[nylaw5]

School Zone is a good one though......kids are out there in a vunerable position and laws are in place to discourage reckless behavior. Sounds a lot like a sports official.

Stiffer penalties to discourage an action. Kind of a no-brainer.

[whistleblowerusa]

What's the rationale for a stiffer penalty for assaulting a sports official than Joe Citizen?
Because sports contests are supposed to be for fun and enjoyment. There is also a greater likelihood of violence than on the street. The players are more passionate, as well as, spectators.