NUAFC 1968-2018

2015
Query on players use of foul & obscene language
On July 22nd Club member Sandy MacDonald, fed up with having to listen to fouI,
abusive and obscene language from players during a match, penned a query to the
Referee’s Association about his concerns . . . . .
I, among other footballing spectators, am at a loss as to
why Part 6 of Rule 12 is regularly ignored by match officials.
There have been a large number of instances this season
(2014) in Northern League matches where offensive language has
been loudly used by players and this has, in large, been totally
ignored by match officials.
Having talked with referees and linesmen on a number of
these occasions this year about this lack of policing I have received
the following responses:
1. “There were no women or children present on the sideline!”
2. “We have been instructed to close our ears and open our
eyes.”
3. “The language is no different to that used by the community
outside the game.”
4. “If we were to send one player off we would have to send
them all off!”
5. “The language was not being directed at anyone.”
Perhaps the interpretation of the words “offensive”,
“insulting” and “abusive” is the problem. Many of us (males
included) have not been absorbed into the world of foul and
abusive language and boorish behaviour by players and therefore
become reluctant to attend games with our families because of the
potential to be forced to listen to what officials deem “normal
behaviour” by those players who act in such degrading ways.
I have often witnessed that female referees do not have
to suffer this degrading behaviour by some of our footballers
compared to male referees. This shows that the players can control
their profanity and offensive utterances.
Several seasons ago the match officials clamped down
severely on this aspect of Rule 12 and being a spectator was a much
more pleasant experience.
I would like to know exactly what “interpretations” are
being placed upon this aspect of Rule 12 as instructed to the match
officials by their supervisors/trainers.
- Sandy MacDonald
RULE 12
A player, substitute or substituted player is sent off if he commits
any of the following seven offences:
1. serious foul play
2. violent conduct
3. spitting at an opponent or any other person
4. denying the opposing team a goal or an obvious goal-scoring
opportunity by deliberately handling the ball (this does not
apply to a goalkeeper within his own penalty area)
5. denying an obvious goal-scoring opportunity to an opponent
moving towards the player's goal by an offence punishable by
a free kick or a penalty kick
6. using offensive, insulting or abusive language and/or gestures
7. receiving a second caution in the same match.
Response by Auckland Referees Assn on players use of foul & obscene language
You are correct there is no definition of what is
considered “offensive, insulting or abusive language and/or
gestures”
The final determination is down to the match officials at
the game. Everyone has a differing tolerance level and match
officials are no different in this aspect.
Every circumstance is also different in every situation in
every game and dependant on the circumstance will be the
response from the match officials. The response can be a variety of
actions, depending on the circumstance. This can range from a
quiet word to the person, a public warning to the person, a public
warning to the team/team management and the ultimate sanction
of a red card and depending on what is said and circumstances a
yellow card could be issued for dissent.
I have attached a memo that New Zealand Football has
issued to provide guidance to all match officials.
I am disappointed to hear the type of comments that
have been advised to you as to why no action was taken. Point 2
and 5 does have some relevance in that it can be related back to
the memo. The others could have been expanded by the official.
Football in Auckland is played mostly in open parks with
perhaps a rope or metal barrier around the ground which means
spectators are very close to the action and can hear everything that
is being said by everyone from players, team management,
spectators. This often means that every word spoken sounds loud
and is audible and often just an instant reaction. I have to say some
things that I have heard spectators say leaves a lot to be desired as
well.
I trust this goes some way in giving you an understanding
of the role that match officials have when looking at this aspect of
Law 12 and its implementation at matches.
- Paul Smith
Referee Development Officer
Auckland Football Federation
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