| Who Gets the Call? |
Referees must make split-second decisions that can affect the game's outcome
By Joe Machnik
One only has to look at early MLS games (1996-1997) to realize the impact of the effort to clamp down on the tackle from behind, which endangers the safety of the opponent. Such tackles, as well as other forms of madness committed by players on the defensive side of the ball against those who seek to create and finish goal-scoring chances, had brought a new level of cynicism to the game and had caused serious injury, disrupted game flow and destroyed careers. For the most part, tackles of this nature have been minimized.
But so much more needs to be done. Problems are easily recognized, but so difficult to solve and the culprit seems to be a time-honored tradition of giving the benefit of doubt to defensive players, often allowing the referee to take the easy way out.
Each MLS season starts with a point of emphasis for referees which has been developed, in part, from input received from coaches, general managers and the sport’s governing body, U.S. Soccer. Although last year’s focal point was the league-wide initiative against dissent in its various forms and confrontation of game officials, the recurring theme from year to year has been the protection of skillful players so attacking play can dominate MLS games.
Each weekend’s games are carefully reviewed and communication with coaches and general managers enables various viewpoints to emerge. Invariably “the referee determined the outcome” is brought forward, to which MLS’s response is often “yup.” Soccer, like no other sport, places the referee and assistant referee in a position to make calls that impact the game’s result. Because of soccer’s low-scoring nature, such decisions put the referee in a position to be second-guessed.
Whether it is a penalty kick or a “no call,” a send-off or a caution, a second caution or verbal admonishment, an offside or not, a ball across the plane of the goal line or “play on,” each has to be decided in a fraction of a second. The unfortunate aspect of soccer refereeing is that there will be as many who would make such decisions on one side of the issue as on the other. There are few absolutes in soccer officiating.
Goal line decisions would be the easiest to remedy through the use of video replay, but FIFA has frowned on its use and MLS cannot go there. Perhaps it will be only be a matter of time, however.
Giving the benefit of the doubt to defensive play has other ramifications, including being unable to get a full 10 yards on free kicks, allowing various forms of encroachment and time wasting and awarding the ball to the defensive team when unsure about goal kick/corner kick and throw-in decisions.
A recent play in a vital playoff game had the following scenario. A player in a counterattacking situation with one field player to beat was deliberately fouled on the edge of the penalty area to thwart what was a realistic goal-scoring opportunity.
The referee signaled for the infraction, gave a caution instead of the required send-off, placed the ball outside of the penalty area for a direct free kick and then demanded that the attacking team take the free kick when the defensive wall was placed no more than seven yards away. He then cautioned the player taking the free kick for failing to put the ball into play in a reasonable amount of time.
So often it is the attacking player who is cautioned for exhibiting some sort of frustration at the referee’s inability to correctly deal with defensive misbehavior. Of course, the cooperation of players and coaches is not always readily available in the heat of the moment on the soccer field.
The realization that referees are instructed to protect and guard skillful players often results in skillful players taking advantage of this protection by diving, embellishing fouls and politicking for cautions and send-offs after fouls.
In 1998, the MLS, with the guidance of U.S. Soccer, tried to crack down on diving. The crackdown failed as referees looking to enforce the edict gave even greater benefit to the defenders by cautioning players who were indeed fouled, some in what should have been penalty kick decisions. The edict was retracted by the All-Star break. One wonders how it will be handled at this year’s World Cup, where it appears FIFA will address this same issue.
At times, the playing rules themselves unintentionally undermine their own purpose. For example, the mandatory send-off for a foul that denies a clear goal scoring opportunity seems to have been embraced by referees more readily when the foul occurs outside of the penalty area. But when the foul occurs inside the penalty area, what often occurs is a “no call,” as the referee has taken it upon himself to determine that a penalty kick and send-off are too harsh a punishment. This when the penalty kick infraction looks to be near a “100 percent penalty kick.” So the defensive side is victorious again.>br />
The subject of percentage of penalty kicks is an interesting one. Commonly, referees will avoid the penalty kick decision when the percentage of infractions looks to be less than 100 percent, but why does the benefit of the doubt go to the defense in 70-30 penalty kick situations?
This year’s MLS focal point to be added to these described above will be to do a better job with persistent infringement. This is a dominant defensive tactic employed by a majority of teams and is, for the most part, unrecognized by MLS officials.
Data illustrate that certain players on several teams have roles assigned or otherwise designated to disrupt the flow of the game, prevent counterattacks and intimidate or otherwise antagonize the opponent’s best creative player. Statistics show certain players getting away with four, five and as many as eight fouls without receiving a caution. And there is hardly an instance in which a second caution has been issued for persistent infringement resulting in a send-off.
So the struggle continues as the game gets faster, more hectic, more violent and more cynical. The demands placed on the referee team are greater than ever and require a top level of fitness, a keen eye, an ability to read the game and an ability to manage players under difficult circumstances.
FIFA, U.S. Soccer and the MLS have experimented with the addition of a second whistle on the field as a possible solution to the increased demands. The experiment was extremely successful in proving once and for all that this is not the answer. U.S. Soccer has completed a detailed report for submission to FIFA on this subject.
As always in a World Cup year, FIFA will place game officials under an intense microscope as the stakes are so high, not only in the games’ results but also in the quality of the entertainment value.
Readers should be aware that the same kind of scrutiny for the very same reasons is an ongoing process in the top professional leagues in America.
Editor’s note: Joe Machnik is Assistant to the Commissioner's Office for On-Field Competiton for Major League Soccer. His soccer career has included coaching at the college level (both men and women) and officiating at the college level and at the professional level in both the indoor and outdoor game. This article originally appeared in the March-April 2002 issue of Soccer Journal.
|
|
| The Technical Area, NSCAA eNewsletter |
 |
|
|
 |
| Soccer Journal - Published seven times a year in print and once annually online, Soccer Journal is the Official Publication of NSCAA and is one of the few publications in the world produced exclusively for soccer coaches. learn more |
| Insurance - Members in the United States automatically receive $1 million in professional liability insurance, providing coverage for most soccer-related activities. learn more |
| Academy Programs - The benchmark of soccer coaching education is the NSCAA Coaching Academy program. learn more |
| Convention - The NSCAA Convention is "The World's Largest Annual Gathering of Soccer Coaches." Held each January learn more |
| Awards and Recognition - The NSCAA administers an outstanding awards and recognition program which includes Coach of the Year, All-America, long-term service and special recognition awards, designed to recognize excellence in soccer, academics and service to the game. learn more |
| Licensed Apparel - A full line of distinctive coaching gear sets you apart as a member of the NSCAA through our licensed apparel program with adidas. learn more |
| For more details, please proceed to the Benefits of NSCAA Membership Page |
|
|
