Blog

Referee protests – Only the captain can approach the referee

The new guideline in most countries for referee protests is: only the captain can approach the referee. It started at the European Championships and was successful. And as Björn Kuipers, now UEFA Referee Committe member says in a video message: “We need to take bad behaviour seriously”.

But how do you apply this in your games? In this blog post some practical guidelines and advice for match officials. 

The basics of this new guideline

The laws already had options to deal with dissent or protests, but despite that referees are “regularly subjected to verbal and/or physical dissent”. That’s how IFAB, the governing body of the football laws, describres it. “It sometimes results in players running at the referee and surrounding or mobbing them.”

And that is what needs to stop.

The moment is now. Football wants it, media want it, society expects it. The new guideline basically means:

  • The referees only talk to the captain and will give them a short explanation of key incidents (like red cards, disallowed goals).
  • This conversation is in a respectful manner is added, because some captains will think they can go all out now.
  • The role of the captain changes. He will take the responsibility for his teammates, asking them to respect the referee, keep their distance and not surround him. 

The behaviour of other players

But what about the behaviour of other players? Some might not listen to their captain or even cross the line before the captain can ask them to respect the referee. As a match official it’s your job to deal with players who approach you showing any sign of disrespect or dissent. Here are some guidelines to deal with them.

When to address this guideline to the teams

There are several opportunities for referees to highlight this guideline. Although it might seem a repetition for them, it still will sort effect to remind them. And when you mention something and you agree on it, you can later on refer back at it.

Some moments that you can use to remind them about the “captain-only” rule:

  • During a meeting with team or staff members in the board room
  • In the dressing room before the match or in the tunnel
  • Remind the captains at the coin toss
  •  Be proactive during the game. Give clear signals and body language to remind people to stop approaching

Which behaviour should be dealt with

Behaviour of players crosses the line sometimes. Which things should you look at when you judge if something is not okay? 

UEFA advises: “Referees will deal with such behaviour firmly and strictly.”

  • Players who behave in a disrespectful manner towards a match official either by word or by action, will be cautioned. 
  • Any other player who comes close to the referee demonstrating any sign of disrespect or dissent will be cautioned.
  • Referees are instructed that when players surround the referee (mobbing), then they must take appropriate disciplinary sanctions.

So not just saying something that is not okay, but also aggressive or sarcastic actions. Waving with the arms above your head to show you don’t like the decisions. Sarcastically clapping. Running quickly at the referee, sort of storming at him. Just a few examples. 

Crucial elements to make this a success

Crucial element of this protocol is that we do this with all referees. You can’t do this alone.

Some referees love to use “personality” or others are match officials who are normally very quiet.

My advice to all: climb out of your comfort zone. Wheter you normally don’t approach players easily or on the other side if you like to “manage” it, rather than using a card as a solution.

This protocol will sort effect if players know what to expect. 

Does this mean you card all players immediately when they approach you with more at once?

No, but the first yellow card for protesting should sort effect. Make sure your personality solves the issue then. So be confident, show strong body language. That will sort the most effect. Others need to get calmer by your actions. So don’t randomly show a couple of yellows.  Choose the right player: the one who reacts the most emotional, runs at you the fastest or the one that has been warned already. You have the best feel for that in the given circumstances. 

What are your experiences so far?

Personally I’m happy with the “only-captains” guidelines that have been introduced. Although there were options in the laws to deal with bad behaviour, branding this as “new rule” has given it more attention. Players tell their teammates now: beware, the new protest rule applies. 

In my first game of the season there was a captain who thought he had free pass now to say what he wanted. I made him clear that this is not what the new guideline is meant for. And I see that the stop signal works good.

Also some captains ask if nothing is allowed any more. I tell them I don’t mind a “hey ref”, but that should be it. And if I clearly say and signal they shouldn’t approach, that I expect players to react. That works well for me.

But how is it for you? How do you experience this “captain-only” approach to deal with protests?

Comment below or on my Instagram post.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.