Justice is Served (posted July 20th, 2006)

Last night I was refereeing a high-level U16 Boys club match in Saratoga Springs, NY.  The home team went on to win by a score of 5 - 1, but that's not important. 

I mention this match because like most others, there were some heated words exchanged occasionally throughout the match.  It's the kind of thing that, if it isn't dealt with early, could fester and grow as the match progresses.  The infamous Zidane headbutt to Materazzi's chest is likely a result of such unsporting behavior. 

So when I heard a defender tell an opposing striker to "get up you pussy" after the attacker was stripped of the ball and ended up on the ground, I took note.  I let the counter-attack continue, but when it died with the ball in the goalie's arms at the other end of the pitch, I blew my whistle to stop play, which I'm sure was a surprise to most everyone in attendance.

I then walked over to the defender-cum-provocateur and showed him a yellow card, explaining that "this is for what you said a minute ago."  He seemed to be aware of his guilt and didn't bother arguing.  When one his teammates asked why I took the action I did, I simply told him "he knows why."  And then I added, "it's because of crap like that that Zidane didn't get to finish his career properly."

Sure, Zidane should've risen above the insults without lashing out at Materazzi the way he did.  But as FIFA have adjudicated, Materazzi was deemed guilty of foul and abusive language - a sending off offense that precipitated Zidane's moment of madness.  As a result, he will be suspended from the Italy's next two international matches.  And to a certain extent, it vindicates but does not completely exonerate Zidane's violence (who was suspended for three matches, although he's announced his retirement). 

But maybe something positive really can come from this whole ugly situation.  Perhaps it will give players pause to think about their behavior on the pitch in the hope that they will not sink to the level of Materazzi and his ilk.  If, however, players prove to be incapable of changing their unsporting ways, it is up to us as referees to nip the problem in the bud before things escalate.  And that's exactly what I was doing last night.

Until next time...

peace,
ac

Comments

[Jag]

Isn't that special.

[soccer fan]

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[Steve]

Name calling is nothing more than mental cruelty. Our culture seems to be giving the okay for such abuse. Gitmo, political smears, sitcoms, legalizing the right to lie all seem to denigrate the individual. Freedom from Fear is no longer a right.

If you are aware of how North Africans are treated in France, you would understand why Zidane reacted the way he did.

Curious why you did not give the player a red card as it was unsportsman conduct?

[mark]

i think fifa have it wrong. while refs should be dealing with foul and abusive language on the field (they didn't seem to during the world cup) i don't think that it is a good idea to deal with it retrospectively.

now every time someone loses their cool zidane style they will claim an opponent has offended them in some fashion, and there will be nedless he said, she said discussions in the press.

as a ref my attitude tended to be to deal with it when it was unwarranted. i don't know what was said to zidane, so i can't comment on how unwarranted that was, but in your example if the player was being a pussy i would allow it as fair comment.

and actually you rarely have to deal with players having a go at other players if you don't let them have a go at you. those inclined to be foul and abusive are sure to complain to you in derogatory terms (even if your performance is flawless) early in the game.