FLAG & WHI STL E Official Newsletter of the BC Soccer Referees Association • February 2019 FIFA Assistant Referee Joe Fletcher retires Canadian Soccer Association After a storied 25-year career as a respected FIFA and Canada Soccer Assistant Referee, Niagara native Joe Fletcher will no longer be visible on the touchline. Fletcher received his National Badge in 2005 and joined the FIFA List of Assistant Referees in 2007. He was the recipient of the Ray Morgan Memorial Award in 2012 and received the Canada Soccer Inter- national Achievement Award in 2015. Fletcher successfully completed appointments to the 2014 and 2018 FIFA World Cup™, the 2011 and 2013 Concacaf Gold Cups, the 2008 and 2017 Concacaf Champions League Finals, the FIFA U-20 World Cup Canada 2007 and the FIFA U-20 World Cup Colombia 2011, the 2012 Olympic Games, the 2013 FIFA Club World Cup, the 2016 Copa America, the 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup, the 2011, 2015 and 2018 Cana- dian Championship Finals, the 2014 and 2016 MLS Cup Finals plus countless professional matches. “Joe Fletcher has been a leading figure amongst Canada Soccer referees for more than a decade, successfully, and flawlessly accepting appointments each time he’s called on every continent,” said Canada Soccer’s Manager, Referees Isaac Raymond. “After 25 years, we’re proud to work with Joe as he transitions into a mentorship role, bringing his thirst for knowledge and drive to developing the next generation of Canadian referees.” Fletcher, for his part, is most proud of his standing amongst the group of men and women who carry the whis- tle. “For me, the respect of my fellow officials is the single thing I hold most dearly,” Fletcher said. “Referees have told me that they wanted me on their biggest and most important assignments, and there is no greater compliment than that- for an assistant referee.” As for next steps, Fletcher has no plans to walk away from the game and is scheduled to participate in Canada Soccer’s National Referee Camp in Bradenton, Florida in February as an instructor. “If I can help guide the next gen- eration to improve, show them the work that is required, and one day see others at future Men’s & Women’s World Joe Fletcher Cups, that will be rewarding.” Canadian AR Joe Fletcher on a Career, World Cup Controversies, the big Moments, and the CPL Interview by Graham Larson Managing Editor, CanPL.ca and the CPL’s Director of Content Canadian assistant referee Joe Fletcher have made 2022, maybe not. But if I would Larson: Do you learn not to take things has seen it all – World Cups, Champions have gone there, it would have felt like less personally? Leagues, fixtures in every confederation of an experience and I would have really Fletcher: No, because there are some … the biggest matches the world will ever struggled to look my family in the eyes. things I do take personally. If someone know. dropped a racial comment to me I’d get A FIFA-listed official for more than a Larson: From where I’m sitting, it appears pissed. I don’t take the high road on that. I decade, Fletcher announced his retirement you’ve done it all. have zero tolerance. late last year, leaving the touch-line with Fletcher: I feel like I ran out of boxes to an enormous amount of adoration and tick. I managed to do everything I wanted Larson: What’s it like to know your perfor- memories. a fraction of referees will ever to do. I refereed in every confederation. I mance will be examined just as much as know or experience. have a full-time job, so I couldn’t use the the players you’re officiating? argument that I needed to stick around to Fletcher: Whatever I do has to fit with the earn a few extra dollars. I couldn’t justify show. It has to be defendable on TV. being away from home. I didn’t want to Somebody is going to come out and say, just work in MLS or just work in the CPL. “You gave 18 free kicks to one team and I didn’t want to go halfway because my nine to the other team and it wasn’t fair.” entire career was about chasing something Everything has to stand up to five different and accomplishing something. replays, a whole bunch of commentators If I wasn’t going after a World Cup, I and the press. I have to make sure the show thought this was the time. Let’s go out makes sense so they can’t blame me. You before I screw something up. can’t get out of being discussed. It’s going to happen. They’ll discuss it. That’s fine. Fletcher receives Canada Soccer Inter- Larson: What’s something fans and play- What I can’t do is get blamed. That’s the national Achievement Award from CSA ers – really, everyone – doesn’t understand big difference between refereeing at the President Steve Reed about being a high-level referee? highest level. There needs to be talking Fletcher: Clubs know the referees so they points. You don’t want to be the talking In an hour-long conversation with know what to expect. If you’re the new point that mattered. CanPL.ca, the 42-year-old reflected back guy, you’re getting grief for the sake of on a career with a perspective that’s not getting grief. If you’re the guy who has Larson: You refereed in a World Cup often told, as he prepares to work with been there and you’re a drill sergeant half (2014) without VAR and a World Cup Canada’s national referees ahead of the the time, they know you and tell you to (2018) with VAR. Did you sleep better at CPL’s inaugural season. lighten up. If you’re a “players’ referee” night last summer knowing the big calls Why did he retire? What’s it like being they’ll do their best to take advantage of would be reviewed? part of the biggest show on earth? What you because players are out for every com- Fletcher: No. I also had to act as a VAR role will he fill with the CPL? And, in per- petitive advantage they can get. last summer. Let’s get something straight: haps the most interesting piece to this If that means “working the referee” to • The system? I like it. extended Q&A, the Canadian referee try and get a call then that’s in their favour. • The design of it? Great. looked back on a Colombia-England World It would be foolish to think players give • Does it remove all errors? No. Cup fixture that drew ire from all corners you a pat on the back for no reason because It’s supposed to remove (big refereeing of the globe. you’re a human being and eventually you’ll errors). But my fear was working in the have a 50-50 decision involving that guy. video room as the offside guy. For instance, Larson: Why was it time to retire? What do you think the human being inside if I put a bad flag up and it’s close people Fletcher: It has to end at some stage. Most you wants to do? will say, “He only had one chance and of us go until we slow down or suffer Thankfully there’s no audio broadcast didn’t have the benefit of replay.” If you injury or, basically, your skill level drops live because the professional referee has to miss when you’re the video official and off to the point they just don’t want you either say nothing and shut up or if you’re you get a bunch of replays at your disposal, anymore. My situation was unique because going to entertain a player and go back- nobody will understand that. I managed to make it to the World Cup, the and-forth you have to be really good on Are we in a rush in that room? Hell yes. pinnacle. My buddies and I always swore your feet and really quick-witted. There Two minutes feels like an eternity in a sta- to ourselves we weren’t going to try and are a whole lot of those “battles” that hap- dium. Probably the most stressful thing referee on the way down. I didn’t want to pen and you don’t want to get caught in a I’ve seen is when you’re trying to decide at referee just because I could. I made the place where they say something or you say a World Cup whether to send a referee to decision after World Cup 2018 that I something stupid because that’s going to the video monitor. After that your job is wasn’t going to chase the World Cup in get repeated. I’ve been sworn at more done because everyone knows a video ref- 2022. It wasn’t going to be the same times and in more languages than I care to eree thinks it’s wrong. If you forget or miss amount of fun without (retired American talk about. It’s amazing that you learn to it or interpret something wrong … try and referee Mark Geiger). Maybe I could keep really level-headed. defend that the next day! Cont’d on Page 3 2 FLAG & WHISTLE – February 2019 issue Canadian AR Joe Fletcher Ronaldo’s shirt, which was the stupidest had proven through training and seminars Cont’d from page 2 thing ever because we’re all mic’d up all that he was one of the better VARs in the game and the entire thing is recorded.