I thank those who went above and beyond this past week. We were shorthanded with a total of 8 referees who normally work L.I. Futsal games with either limited or no availability this past week.
Although most feedback that ends up coming to my attention is positive, I am starting to hear from multiple sources of problems that greatly concern me with the officiating regarding a few referees. These problems are being addressed to me, John and to referees who work the following week afterwards. These type of mistakes are ruining the consistently high quality of refereeing in L.I. Futsal. Here are a sampling of the things I have heard over the past week:
A concerned parent wrote how upset she and her daughter were about a coach yelling and berating HIS OWN TEAM during a game.
Coaches being told that subs are at the halfway line only
Handling offenses are not counted as an accumulated foul
Penalty Kicks are still being taken from the wrong spot
Rules being explained incorrectly to coaches
Allowing soccer balls in the gyms
Players being permitted to wear turf shoes
A score was written stated incorrectly on the score sheet
These things are occurring because of a lack of professionalism and common sense. We are paid the highest futsal per game fee in the entire United States. We are expected to be professional through and through. A big part of that professionalism is to enforce the laws of the game and the rules of the league competition. If you don't know the laws, you can not enforce them. We all must know the rules. There is no reason not to. If you have any questions have the professionalism to figure it out. Read the rule book, print a copy out and keep a copy with you or ask me. I would rather you figure it out than me finding out because if I find that there are referees who can not meet that obligation there is really only one thing I can do as an assignor...and I would rather not have it come to that.
Please use common sense out there. The game is for the kids. If there is anyone who is in any way acting disrespectful towards the players or towards the game, DEAL WITH IT! If the behavior is coming from a coach, use the "Ask, Tell, Dismiss" method (verbally warn, Yellow Card, Red Card). If it is a parent who is disruptive, talk to the coach and have him/her deal with it (stop the game if the ball is in play if you need to) if it doesn't stop, don't continue the game until you feel the problem has been rectified. Attitudes are infectious. Don't let one that does not belong at a game for kids stay there. If it is not taken care of it will just become a problem for the next referee.
If there are any points of improvement you would like to share with your fellow referees, please send me an email and I would be happy to post your thoughts here.