This weekend, I had a funny situation happen on the pitch that ended up causing me some problems with one of the parents of the losing team. I'd like to know how you guys think I should have handled this... U19 boys rec, blue leads 1-0 about 10 minutes into first half... Blue takes a 30 yard shot during dynamic play that ricochets off the crossbar, hits the Red keeper in the feet and is bumbled into the net by the keeper. I turn and signal goal by pointing to the center circle. The blue goal scorer is so happy that he has scored he reaches out and "high fives" the nearest hand he can find...which happens to be mine pointing at the center circle! I was surprised by this but we both had a good laugh over the matter...it was funny! But when we set up for the ensuing kickoff, I was joking around with the players in the center circle and I said to the boy (within earshot of several players on both teams)..."It's probably not a good idea to run around and high five the referee when you score because folks will think we're in cahoots." Of course, you know the rest of the story. Red comes back and makes it a competitive game, tying the score 2-2 and then late in the match I award a corner to blue that red feels should have been a goal kick and they score 2 minutes from time to win the game. Afterwards, a parent from Red confronts me on the field claiming my partiality to Blue and says he is going to complain to the league officials. His major complaint was of course the "high five." I think I managed to placate him with a level-headed explanation of the situation. As soon as the kid slapped my hand, I knew that it was going to cause something like this to happen. Looking back, the only other action I see that I might have taken was yellow carding the kid for slapping my hand. My justification...his "high five" had the potential of undermining my control of the game. The card would have indicated to players, coaches, and parents alike that I was not celebrating a goal or favoring the blue team. On the other hand, I believe it was an unintentioal act during the throes of passion from his goal scoring and didn't really warrant a card. His touching me was not in confrontation. Perhaps I should have trotted over to both coaches to quickly explain the situation before continuing and leave it at that. What would you have done? Is a card warranted here? Jarrett
It takes two to high-five. We're you going to reprimand yourself too? Tell the parent to get a life. The parent knew it was all in fun and was just trying to drill you one.
Just to be clear, my hand was at shoulder height, stationary, pointing at the center circle. The kid ran by and hit my stationary hand. That only takes one...
Sounds like you did OK. Some times you're just can't win. You have to ignore at least 80% of what parents say, anyway. Just include this.
Nah.....I dont think you did anything wrong.....Just be clear to the assignor and you should be fine.
As I've mentioned somewhere before, I'm quite a strict referee. If the player 'high-fibed' me, he would have been cautioned Not only does it send a messege to players that I wont be taking any sh1t, it also shows the players, staff and spectators that I am a complete neutral
I am a strict referee too, as I hope my previous reposts reflect, however, I have learned as I move up ranks that many times these are innoccuous things that just occur. If you call the rest of the game fairly, no one will notice. You did nothing wrong. What would the rational have been for a card? USB? It really wasn't unsporting. I would have probably, held my laughter, but sternly said, "I know you enjoyed that goal, but please keep your hands to yourself." I know this sounds so kindergarten, but it makes it known that it was unwannted, and unneeded, yet able to remain objective. I might have omitted the joke at the ensuing kick off, just to bring closure to the incident without any bias being percieved... But you were probably right and crap happens all the time, it will probably never happen in another game again. ANR
What movie was that with Billy Crystal as the NBA basketball referee holding both of his hands up indicating a good 3-point shot and the player runs by and gives a high-five to Billy the ref. Very funny. Wonder if the movie was current at the same time as the original post in 2003?