FlaG & Wh i s t l E Official Newletter of the BC Soccer Referees Association – February 2012 126th IFAB AGM Agenda confirmed (FIFA.com) Wednesday, 1. February 2012 The 126th Annual General Meeting of the International Football Association Board (IFAB) will take place on Saturday, 3. March under the chairmanship of The An update on the Additional Assistant Football Association in Surrey, .com/ Referee experiment (AAR), a discussion associations/association=eng/index.html regarding the Hijab following a football England.www.fifa.com/worldfootball/ seminar in Amman in October 2011, and lawsofthegame.html\t “Laws of the Game.” for a player who denies an obvious goal- more information regarding the use of These include a proposal for a fourth scoring opportunity by an offence punish- Vanishing Spray by referees at the substitution to be allowed for matches that able by a penalty. CONMEBOL 2011 Copa America – to go into extra time; a new text to clarify Also on the agenda for discussion is an mark out the 9.15m (10 yards) where what action the referee should take if a update on the Goal-Line Technology defending teams have to stand for a free- dropped ball is kicked directly into an (GLT) testing. The independent test insti- kick – are also on the agenda. opponents’ goal; and a new text to tackle tute EMPA will provide a report on the Finally, the members will be asked to the ‘so-called’ Triple Punishment, follow- first test phase held between November confirm the date of the Special Meeting of ing the recommendation by the FIFA Task and December 2011 with eight GLT com- the IFAB as 2 July 2012, where a defin­ Force Football 2014. panies, as well as outlining the procedures itive decision on the future of Goal-Line Currently a penalty-kick, expulsion and for Phase 2 scheduled between March and Technology and Additional Assistant player suspension are the three sanctions June 2012. Referees will be taken.

Agenda for the 126th International Football Association Board Meeting What will they be discussing? Ref: FIFA.com ‘amateur’ in the FIFA Regulations for the Status and Transfer of During the meeting, the various representatives will be consid- Players (and its commentary). ering the following proposals and amendments submitted under The definition in the FIFA Regulations is outlined in Article 2.2 the regulations of the International Football Association Board. (Page 10) which states ‘a Professional is a player who has a writ- • Law 1 – The Field of Play, Commercial Advertising ten contract with a club and is paid more than the expenses he (submitted by FIFA) effectively incurs in return for his footballing activity. All other A proposal was made to better define where/how advertising players are considered as ‘Amateurs.’ boards may be placed. According to the reason included with the “The commentary in Para 2.1 of Article 2 (Page 12) states ‘an proposal: “Due to the increasing use of new advertising boards in Amateur is a player who pursues sport just for fun or as a hobby, an upright position very close to the boundaries of the field of without any material gain, and who has never received any rem- play, according to the present text of the Laws it is necessary to uneration other than for the actual expenses incurred. Furthermore, define the location of these upright advertising boards, particu- he basically has no written contract with the club with which he larly behind the goal line because they may hide part of the net is registered. The social aspect of participating in the group life of from a lateral view and can also be unsafe for players" the club as well as his own health and fitness play a predominant • 2 – Notes on the Laws of the Game - Modifications role for an amateur player.’ (submitted by The Football Association) “Permitting modifications to the Laws regarding substitutions The proposed medication attempts to better distinguish provi- in amateur/'recreational’ football will help with the growth and sions for changes in the amateur game. As listed in the reason retention of players within amateur/'recreational’ football. The behind the proposed modiciation: “We understand that the con- change will allow member associations more flexibility to cern and reason why a previous proposal was not approved was encourage people to take up the sport or to continue their partici- because it was unclear that the proposal related to ‘recreationa’ pation in ‘recreational’ football without affecting the professional football only. game in any way. We also suggest that such a modification not be We are therefore submitting the above proposal which we hope permitted for a member association's most senior domestic com- makes it clear that the dispensation applies to ‘recreational’ foot- petitions (where such a competition is solely amateur) and the ball only. proposed amendment makes that clear." “The appropriate way of defining ‘recreational football’ is to • Law 3 – The Numbers of Players (submitted by FIFA, with use the word ‘amateur’ which is consistent with the definition of amendments by the Scottish Football Association) Cont’d on page 2 Agenda cont’d from page 1 drum with respect to goals scored from “A player would still receive a red card drop balls. Per the reason stated in the for denying an obvious goal-scoring This proposal relates to what a referee agenda: “There have been a number of opportunity outside of the penalty area as should do if a named substitute starts the occasions where goals have been scored well as for denying an obvious goal- game in place of someone listed for the from ‘uncontested’ dropped balls. This scoring opportunity by deliberately han- starting 11 players but the referee is not has put a great deal of pressure on the dling the ball, by holding or an offence informed. According to the published referee as he has to allow the goal to committed from behind inside his own agenda: “It is not rare that a substitution is stand. We then have the unseemly situa- penalty area when he has no opportunity made prior to the start of the match and tion where the opposition allow the team to play the ball. after the referee has been informed of the to score from the kick off without any “A penalty kick and a yellow card names of the players and substitutes. This players trying to stop them in order to would be enough sanction for other is normally due to an injury of a player dur- rebalance the game." offences that deny an obvious goal-scor- ing the warm-up. If the referee is informed • Law 12 – Fouls and Misconduct, The use ing opportunity committed by a defend- of the substitution, this is permitted but it is of the word “blatant” (submitted by FIFA) ing player inside his own penalty area.” necessary to clarify how to proceed if the “It is more important to punish the Should this amendment pass, a further referee is not informed of the change." consequence that the hand ball created amendment to Law 12 – Fouls and • Law 3 – The Numbers of Players, rather than the fact that it was blatant. In Misconduct, Cautions for unsporting Number of Substitutions (submitted by fact, a hand ball could be inconspicuous behaviour (page 117), which was also FIFA) but certainly very important. Furthermore, submitted in the event that the proposal A proposal has been put forth to allow it is difficult to define what is meant by was approved, would be required. the use of a 4th substitute in games that “blatantly” (p.113) and therefore to have Other items for discussion will include require extra time. In the agenda the reason a uniform interpretation, especially by the following: for this proposal: “The FIFA Task Force referees from different countries or conti- • Additional Assistant Referees (AAR) Football 2014, the Medical Committee and nents, with very different experiences. experiment update on the current experi- the Football Committee support the pro- Deleting the word “blatantly", and pro- ment status posal in order to maintain the technical viding that if the hand ball prevented the • Goal-Line Technology (GLT) level until the 120th minute and to protect opponent from gaining possession the a) Infor­mation on the first test phase, the health of the players (as a means of player must be cautioned, makes the b) Second test phase and consequent preventing injuries)." interpretation easier (p.117).” procedures • Law 4 – The Players’ Equipment • Law 12 – Fouls and Misconduct, Sendi­ • Vanishing Spray (submitted by The Football Association) ng-off Offences (submitted by FIFA) To receive update on the experiment of The reason for this proposal is listed as This last proposal looks into Sending the vanishing spray during CONME­ “An increasing number of players are using Off Offences and has significant implica- BOL's 2011 Copa América excessive amounts of tape externally on their tions. According to the reason for the • Law 4 – The Players’ Equipment socks. This can be a multitude of colours and submission: “The triple punishment (pen- To receive an update on the discussions it completely changes the look of the sock. alty kick + red card + player suspension) regarding the “Hijab” during a football This can cause confusion particularly for for a player who denies an obvious goal- seminar in Amman on October assistant referees who may need to look at the scoring opportunity to an opponent 24,2011. • 2014 FIFA World Cup™ sock to determine who last played the ball moving towards his goal by an offence Regulations - Preliminary Competition before it has gone out of play.” punishable by a penalty is widely con- Section 17 – Approval of additional sub- • Law 8 – The Start and Restart of Play sidered to be too severe. stitutes. (submitted by The Football Association) This proposal aims to rectify a conun- Annual General Meeting of BCSRA Fl a G & Wh i s t l E is published 6 times a year by the BC Soccer Referees This year's annual gathering of the A traditional light lunch will be Association. The material presented Referee Association family will take served afterwards. is from contributors. The BCSRA place on Saturday May 5th in Van­ In order to allow members to attend couver. Due to the success of last year's the Whitecaps vs San Jose Earth­ assumes no responsibility for its content. event, which coincided with the MLS quakes match at BC Place in mid- Editor Elvio Chies match between NY Red Bull and the afternoon, the meeting will start in Staff Writer Tom Babic Vancouver Whitecaps, it was decided the morning with ample time for par­ Research Emil Udovich to repeat the event on the same day as a ticipants to make their way downtown Production Dieter Freundt home game for the local professional for the match. A traditional light lunch Letters to the editor are welcome side. will also be provided at the end of the Members would be able to view gathering. and should be directed by email to: Whitecaps match on same day. The meeting is the first gathering of [email protected] or [email protected] The venue for the meeting has tenta- the association since a new executive or by mail to: tively been set for the Hastings was elected in May of last year. BC Soccer Referees Association Community Association (located across The By-Laws of the association were c/o 8130 Selkirk Street from the PNE on the corner of Hastings changed at that time to remove the need Vancouver, BC and Lillooet) but a venue closer to BC to have interim Council meetings so as Place is being investigated – details to allow more decisions to be made V6P 4H7 were not available at press time. offline by the provincial executive.

2 Fl a g & Wh i s t l e – February 2012 issue Asia urges IFAB to approve headscarves for women

Reuters (as seen on ProReferee.com) ment” as a jersey, shorts, socks, shin- SINGAPORE guards and footwear. Asian soccer’s acting president has Iran’s women’s soccer team were urged the sport’s rule-makers to banned from an Olympic qualifier change the laws to permit women to last June because of their full-body wear a headscarf in official matches. strip, which includes a headscarf China’s Zhang Jilong reiterated and conforms to the Islamic dress the Asian Football Confederation’s code. Opponents Jordan were favorable stance ahead of an awarded a 3-0 win and Iranian offi- International Football Association cials said the decision could cost Board (IFAB) review in March. them a place in the 2012 Games. “Many women footballers in Asia FIFA’s rules for the 2012 wear headscarves,” Zhang said on Olympics state: “Players and offi- the AFC’s website on Monday. cials shall not display political, reli- “I would like to request the IFAB to neck, which releases if the headscarf is gious, commercial or personal messages favorably consider FIFA’s proposal and pulled, ensuring the player’s safety,” he or slogans in any language or form on review the rule and allow women players added. their playing or team kits.” to play wearing a safe headscarf that World governing body FIFA’s Law 4 re- IFAB, formed in 1886, is soccer’s ulti- covers the neck.” garding kit states that a player must not use mate law-making body comprising four “I think it is in the interests of women’s equipment or wear anything that is danger- members from FIFA and four from the football worldwide. I have personally seen ous to himself or another player, including British associations. It will meet in the new designs with a Velcro joined at the any kind of jewelry. It lists the “basic equip- Bagshot, England, on March 3.

The Anatomy of Foul Recognition

2. Assessing the nature of the foul you won't be able to see the play develop.” 3. Deciding the level of punishment Lastly, determining (whether a foul 4. Managing the restart occurred or not) has to be done in the Breaking each section in detail, Mr. moment. Mr. Sibrian joked that you can't Sibrian explained as follows: go running to your friends in the stands Detecting there's a foul and asking them what they thought! Right off the top, Mr. Sibrian indicated Assessing the nature of the foul one needs an exact knowledge of the Laws Mr. Sibrian started off by saying that the of the Game. If you make things up as you root of every foul recognition process is go along you're in trouble. simply, is the action (committed by the We also need to prepare ourselves. player) fair or unfair? One has take into Preparation takes two forms: invisible account the speed, distance, force of the preparation (being confident) and psycho- player committing the foul and also the logical preparation (being mentally pre- reaction of the player being fouled. pared, Also mentioned were: Additional considerations: • Possessing a high degree of common Is there an opportunity sense to play the advantage? Rudolfo Sibrian • Excellent fitness • The action used to play the ball Photo: Mynor Campos Why an excellent level of fitness? So • Position of the attacker Foul recognition- the bane of a referee's much has been made about this subject • Opportunity to play the ball existence. Getting it right is crucial to the that it's reasonable to ask such a question. • Part of the body used (in the challenge) success of one's performance. But what is Mr. Sibrian explained it's not only to be but also where it hits on the body (of the the thought process of calling a foul? able to last an entire game but more so that ball carrier). Rudolfo Sibrian, former FIFA Referee one has enough energy to make it to the Deciding the level of punishment and now a FIFA Referee Instructor, took a position needed to detect a foul. Mr. Sibrian instructed that once a foul stab at such a big topic at a recent gather- “(Because) one's angle of vision de­pends has been recognized and called, there is ing of referees involved in the BC Soccer on the nature of the contest,” he said. still requirement to judge the level of pun- Candidates Program while he was here for Good positioning via reading the game ishment considering if the action was care- the recent CONCACAF Women's is critical, i.e. Knowing where the ball will less (in which case only a foul is neces- Olympic Qualifying Tournament at BC be for the next phase of play. Which led to sary), reckless (i.e. the action is deserving Place. In essence, the process of calling a a stern warning: of a caution) or performed with excessive foul involves four steps: “You will never be able to read the game force (which requires a send off). 1. Detecting there's a foul if you are ahead of the ball carrier because Cont’d on page 4

February 2012 issue – Fl a g & Wh i s t l e 3 RA Member invited to MLS Camp

Ed note: The MLS held their annual pre- Some famous US names included US willing to send off a player if they leave season camp for referees last month in FIFA Referees Terry Vaughn, Baldomero their feet to commit a challenge (lunge). Fort Laurderdale, Florida. Marco Arruda Toledo, Ricardo Salazaar, Mark Geiger, We all ran the fitness test at this pre- was one of the referees invited and pres- Jair Marufo and Kevin Stott. season camp which was the most pressure ents a brief summary of his experience. The course was led by Asher I have ever felt in my referee career. I'm I departed Friday, January 6 and Mendelsohn. Director of Referees, glad I passed! returned Monday, January 9 after having Coaching Administration and Develop­ In closing, just seeing the way the offi- been emailed by Tiger Liu, Director of ment Academy Programs at U.S. Soccer cials carried themselves was a learning Refereeing for the CSA. Federation, Herb Silva, Director of experience. The camp lasted Friday evening, all day Professional Referees and Alan Brown, People like Mark Geiger (who refer- Saturday and Sunday morning. Joining Professional Referee Assignment eed the U20 World Cup Final) and Ricardo me from Canada were Canadian FIFA Coordinator. During the sessions they Salazaar (who refereed the MLS Cup Assistants Joe Fletcher, Phillipe Briere, emphasized, as I understand it, the same Final) were at the same time supremely Daniel Beleau, Kevin Duliba, Canadian points as last year: confident and easy to talk to. FIFA Referees Dave Gantar and Paul • Protect the players When Tiger Liu addressed the Canadian Ward as well as other Canadian National • Crack down on lunging tackles (exces- officials, he said to represent Canada well officials Geoff Gamble, Drew Fisher sive force, send-off) and I hope to do so this season! and Mathieu Bourdeau. • Beware of the arm use as a tool (cau- (Ed note: the F&W will be charting the In turn we joined all the MLS officials tion) vs. as a weapon (sendoff) progress of Marco and fellow Canadian from last year that did not retire (too many • Teamwork and communication is essen- officials during the upcoming MLS sea- to name) as well as 50 rookies that were tial for referee team son. First home game for the BC-based there for the experience and to run the fit- What did I pickup that could be used in Vancouver Whitecaps is March 10th at ness test. our local games? I would say to be more BC Place.)

CSA gathers its National Officials Elections for Provincial Executive Ed note: The CSA hold an annual gathering of National The positions up for election at this year's Annual General officials. The Flag & Whistle would like to thank Meeting will be as follows: President, Secretary and National Referee Alain Ruch for his summary of this year's Director-without-Portofolio, all two year terms. An symposium. announcement will be made shortly as to who will head the The MA course (Members Association) was put on by the Nominating Committee. CSA and replaced the annual National Training Camp for National List Officials. It was led by FIFA Referee Instructor Mr. Peter Prendergast (Jamaica) and FIFA Referee Fitness Instructor Foul Recognition Mr. Edwin Silva (Hondurras). Cont’d from page 3 The focus of this symposium was on current “Hot Topics” Managing the restart (ed note: this is a FIFA-developed curriculum of specific This last section concerns the logistics and mechanics of topics that have occurred in the game), fitness, and practical handling the restart. Those of us who attended the annual on field sessions. refresher clinic a few years ago will re­member being intro- The course is designed by and paid for by FIFA to ensure duced to seven steps for managing a free kick. In the ses- all 208 Member Associations are interpereting the Laws of sion, Mr. Sibrian introduced the same subject in slightly the Game as per FIFA standards and expectations. different manner by condensing essentially the same points I first learned about this through the CSA. As a National into four key elements: List Official, it was mandatory to attend. This year's camp 1. Position of ball (which is where the free kick is relative was held in Montreal (Laval) at the Quebec Soccer Federation to the field), making eye contact with kicker, having him wait for Headquarters from February 7th to 12th. whistle Accompanying me from BC were my fellow National 2. Position of wall/defenders officials Rubin Smilev and Andy Foster along with 3. Making eye contact with AR, make sure the play is Canadian FIFA Assistant Darren Clark. As I mentioned between you and AR above all National List and FIFA Officials in Canada were 4. Anticipating the next phase of play there minus the referees who referee in the MLS. In retrospect, looking at the entire process seems daunt- The main point of emphasis for the entire week was the ing given that all of perform this action in mere seconds, or KIS Principle (Keep It Simple). shorter in some cases. The laws of the game are simple and everything you need Yet, one was left with the impression that being aware to know is in the little blue book. of the four stages of foul recognition will go a long way Referees get themselves into trouble when they stray to ensuring the entire process of recognizing and calling away from the laws, so the main high point would be: fouls, a referee's bread and butter, will allow us to perform Keep It Simple!! to our best.

4 Fl a g & Wh i s t l e –February 2012 issue BC Soccer officials put through their paces by FIFA instructors

FIFA Referee Fitness Instructor Edwin Silva – left front in crouching position – had Referees from the Candidates’ program compete in the very tough YoYo fitness test. This was followed by a classroom session where 3 FIFA referees attended who also officiated during the recent women’s olympic qualifying tournament of CONCACAF being held in Vancouver. Photo: Mynor Campos

FIFA's top regional instructors provided extensive fitness and practical technical a great opportunity for some of our a number of BC Soccer match officials sessions. match officials to learn from some with two nights of intensive training as Lisa Mather, BC Soccer District of FIFA's and CONCACAF'S senior part of CONCACAF Women's Olympic Level referee from Coquitlam said, “After refereeing instructors.” Qualifying Tournament which concluded attend­ing the technical session, I feel Rick Connors, Chairman of the Sunday in Vancouver. more confident in being able to practically BC Soccer Referee's Committee said, CONCACAF Director of Ref­eree apply the laws of the game which will “We are thrilled that the FIFA team was Administration and FIFA Referees help me to better perform on the field able to provide some of BC Soccer's Committee member of of play.” officials with expert training and fitness Guatemala, Rodolfo Sibrian, FIFA Also attending the educational sessions assessments. Referees Assistance Progam Instructor were members of the BC Soccer Referee's The opportunity for our referees from El Salvador, Edwin Silva, FIFA Committee as well as a number of the to learn from officials who have partici- Fitness Instructor from Honduras and FIFA officials who were officiating at pated in World Cup finals tournaments , CONCACAF Director of the CONCACAF Women’s Olympic is invaluable and we appreciate them Referee Administration of the USA were Qual­ifying Tournament. taking the time to share their knowledge able to put 24 of BC Soccer's aspiring Jose Branco, BC Soccer Referee with us.” match officials through their paces with Development Coordinator said, “It was by Paul Mullen

Classroom session in Burnaby Photo: Mynor Campos The referee gives a stern warning Photo: Mynor Campos

February 2012 issue – Fl a g & Wh i s t l e 5 Local Referees with Carol AGM Date of FVSRA All Fraser-Valley area branch (FVSRA) affiliated members of the BCSRA are duly informed that the Annual General Meeting of the branch will be held Tuesday, March 6th in the meeting room of the Langley Legion, located at 56th Ave and 206th St. in downtown Langley. Start time is 7:30 pm. The positions up for election are Vice-President (VP), Treasurer and one Director position. According to Area President Dave Miller, current VP Martin Reid has indicated his intention to step down after six years in the position. No information was available going to press as to whom would chair the nominating committee. Canadian FIFA Referee Carol Anne Chenard took time between games at BC Place to All interested parties should, how- kibitz with local officials. Left to right: Phil Allen, Robbie Battle, Phil Barrington, ever, contact President Dave Miller at Marco Arruda (in the background) Carol Anne Chenard, Korrina Busse (at right). (604) 856-0215.

Vancouver Area Branch Date change for Fraser Valley Meetings elects new Executive Due to a change in venue operating BCSRA members affiliated with the Secretary hours all Fraser-Valley area branch Vancouver Area branch (VASRA) elect- Bill McNaughton (FVSRA) affiliated members of the ed a new executive at the Annual ([email protected]) BCSRA are duly informed that until General Meeting of the association on further notice all monthly meetings Monday, January 30. 2012. The new Treasurer: will be held on the first Tuesday of executive is: Ron Schaeffer the month. President (elected by acclamation Marc Bowley to a 2 year term) ([email protected]) ([email protected]) Off to Dallas 1st Vice-President Directors The Executive Committee of the Dr. Art Duran Mladen Herceg Pepper Dallas Cup Tournament XXXII (taking over the last year (elected to a 2 year term) in Texas, U.S.A. has again approached of a 2-year term) Jose Branco to enter referees for this pres- [email protected] Jose Fraguas tigious week-long tournament. ([email protected]) Leading the group are Jose Branco 2nd Vice-President and Michelle Pye as overseers. Selected Mynor Campos Best wishes to the new executive as referees are Alain Ruch, Matt Wynne, (elected by acclamation they take up the torch to move the Stefan Tanaka-Freundt, Mary Katherine to a 2 year term) Vancouver Area region of the BCSRA Battle, and Amanda Cordua-von Specht. [email protected] onward and upwards! Best of success to the participants.

New Additions to Members’ Family First MLS match Congratulation to Marco Arruda Since the last issue, two members Herceg and his wife Bo became parents to for officiating his first ever MSL match became fathers. On December 22nd, their little boy Borzan. between Portland Timber and San Jose James Bellavance and his wife welcomed Congratulations to both members Earthquakes at Jeld-Wen Field in the birth of their baby boy Nathaniel. A on their respective new additions to their Portland on Monday, February 27. few weeks later in January, Mladen family!

6 Fl a g & Wh i s t l e – February 2012 issue MLS planning crack down Steven Goff, Soccer Insider, Washington Post Sports, www.washingtonpost.com/2011/02/24/ In an effort to better protect players Essentially, MLS wants to promote modi- - clubs do not need to request reviews. As against dangerous tackles, MLS will take ficiation in behavior. in past seasons, the commmittee has the a harder stance against physical play this “We need a recognition and acceptance power to take additional action against a season, and, when necessary, impose that the [players, coaches and referees] are player who receives a red card or commits greater penalties. intertwined,” Rodriguez said. “It's not just an egregious or reckless act that isn't wit- “We remain concerned about player the referee.” nessed by the referee. safety and the frequent nature of certain Last spring, three of the league's most In cases where a referee sees an incident challenges,” Nelson Rodriguez, MLS's influential players – Seattle Sounders and, in the committee’s unanimous opin- executive vice president of competition winger Steve Zakuani, FC Dallas central ion, should've taken action, MLS is more and game operations, told the Insider. “As midfielder David Ferreira and Real Salt likely to hand out suspensions and fines a result, and as part of an overall disciplin- Lake playmaker Javier Morales – were this season. ary code, we'll put players and clubs on sidelined for long periods after suffering Rodriguez supervises the committee notice that, if this continues, they will be injuries caused by hard challenges. The but doesn't vote. The group includes a met with a more active disciplinary body.” disciplinary committee issued suspensions former MLS coach, a former referee That means the five-member dis­ciplinary in the Zakuani and Morales incidents. and three ex-players, one of whom is committee will penalize players for over- This winter the MLS board of gov­ appointed by the players’ union. aggressive tackles – even if no injury is ernors, competition committee and tech­ Their identities are not made public, suffered and no yellow or red card issued. nical committee “felt strongly” about a Rodriguez said, in order to “prevent undue In the past, injuries were usually the more proactive approach toward curbing pressure” during the disciplinary process threshold for disciplininary action on plays unacceptable tackles, Rodriguez said. and harassment after a decision is ren- not witnessed by the referee. Not any- The league, in turn, shared their thoughts dered. more. with the players’ union. Officiating has also become a point of The aim, Rodriguez said, is to ensure “They expressed concern about it emphasis this year, and MLS is working “the man on the ball is better protected and swinging too far” and excessively penal- with the U.S. and Canadian federations less susceptible to rash challenges than in izing players, Rodriguez said, “but in the – which oversee referee identification previous years.” end, we are aligned with looking out for and training – to improve the quality of The league hopes stricter parameters the well-being of our athletes.” performances. Details of the enhanced will lead to changes in coaching tactics The disciplinary committee will con- officiating programs are expected in the and decision-making by players. tinue to review all matches and incidents coming weeks.

Pumas in Trouble (from ProReferee.com) New Website Forthcoming MEXICO CITY Pumas UNAM's broke FIFA rules by painting a giant letter Come Join in on the Ride ‘U’ on their pitch for their home league game against Guadalajara VP Laurie Miller and could be sanctioned, the Mexican Football Federation (FMF) BCSRA will have its new website in place by the next said. newsletter. We want the website to be the definitive location The university side, held 0-0 by Guadalajara at their Olimpico for all information of interest to our referees. To do that Universitario ground in the capital in the Clausura championship, we'll need your help! were celebrating the 50th anniversary of their promotion to the Send us information what you want us to include. first division in January 1962. It could be website addresses that you visit, contact infor- “The reproduction, whether real or virtual, of representative mation about referee schedulers, links to YouTube videos to logos or emblems of FIFA, confederations, member associations, share, or photos! leagues, clubs or other bodies is forbidden on the field of play, the The website is our resource and we're hoping our goal nets and the areas they enclose,” state the laws of world members will help us make it a place that all referees go governing body FIFA. to first when looking for information. A FMF statement said the “violation of FIFA’s Laws of the One feature is our calendar. Any event of interest to Game 2011-2012 committed by Pumas club ... will be forwarded fellow referees should be posted. to the Disciplinary Commission of the Mexican Football If a referee is taking a trip to another area of the province Federation ... for its analysis and to determine a sanction.” they should be able to find out what soccer/referee events are happening elsewhere in the province. We're including a tab to list referee schedulers; the who's DUE TO SPACE LIMITATIONS MADE FOR who of scheduling! THE NOTES CONCERNING UPCOMING We've got a new email address too! IFAB MEETING, LOCAL LEAGUE FOCUS Send your ideas to: RETURNS NEXT ISSUE. [email protected].

February 2012 issue – Fl a g & Wh i s t l e 7 You are the Referee – know the Law of the Game 1. What distance must opponents be from the b. he is level with the last two opponents 9. A defender holds an attacker outside ball at a free kick, if an attacker requested the c. he is in his own half of the field of play the penalty area but stops holding just required distance? d. all of the above inside the penalty area. What decision a 10 feet should the referee make? 6. Can a captain caution a player from his own b. An approximate distance of 9.50 metres a The referee awards a penalty kick team for an offence punishable by a yellow card? c. A minimum of 9.50 metres b. The referee awards a direct free kick as a Yes, to prevent him from being sent off d. A minimum of 9.15 metres and also outside the the action of the holding started outside b. No, never penalty area if the free kick is taken by a team the penalty area c. Yes, as captain of his team and after consulting from inside their own penalty area. c. The referee awards an indirect free kick his coach inside the penalty area 2. Of the following infringements, indicate which d. No, only after consulting his coach can he d. Play continues is stated in the Laws of the Game as an offence substitute the players. punishable with a caution under Law 12? 7. Can a goal be scored direct from a corner kick? 10. Which position is correct for the a Entering or re-entering the field of play without a No, never assistant referee when a penalty kick the referee’s permission b. Yes, in all cases is taken during a match?? b. Being guilty of unsporting behaviour c. Yes, but only in the opponent’s goal a Behind the corner flag c. Dissent by word or action d. Yes, as long as the kick is taken by any player b. Beside the goalpost d. All are correct exdept the goalkeeper c. At the intersectioin of the goal line 3. The minimum number of players who are 8. When is the ball in play during kick-off and the goal area required to start a game is 7. Can a team start d. At the intersection of the goal line a When after the signal is given by the referee, the the match with 10 players and without their and the penalty area ball is played by a player goalkeeper, who joins as soon as he reaches the b. When after the signal is given by the referee, the field of play?? ball is set in motion by the team that takes the a Yes kick-off b. No c. When after the signal is given by the referee, Quiz Result c. It depends on the Rules of the Competition the ball is played by the foot and it moves Laws of the Game d. It is at the discretion of the referee forward Congratulations to Nathan Bird for having 4. How should a challenge which endangers the d. None of the answers is correct the most correct answers in our Holiday safety of an opponent be penalised? issue's Know Your Laws quiz. (Note: all page a. Serious foul play references in the answers relate to the b. Violent conduct Only a single winner will be chosen who 2011-2012 edition. answered all questions correctly. The Quiz is c. Unsporting behaviour • Question 11: Answer d. Signaling if the d. Dangerous play open to all paid up members except for those who are certified referees’ instructors or assesors. kicker has infringed the Laws of the Game. 5. A player is not in an off-side position if .... Send answers to [email protected] (Law 6, pg 27 #7) a he is level with the second last opponent Question 12: Answer b. stops play and restarts the match with a dropped ball. (Ref: p62 #1, 3 ) Beckham red carded during children’s match Question 13: Answer c. Holding an oppo- nent is not always unsporting behaviour. The Province, February 9,2012 (Ref: p112 “Disciplinary actions") Always the com­ him off.’ And he looked at me and was like, Question 14: Answer c. he uses excessive posed, corporate- ‘Yes, I can.’ force or brutality against an opponent when friendly gentleman “And I said, ‘Well, you can’t, he’s seven challenging for a ball in play. (Law 12 p120 away from the years old.’ And he came over and he gave me para 1) game, David Beck­ a red card. He told me to get out of the park. Question 15: Answer c. The team that loses ham is a fierce For real. the coin toss. (Law 8 pg 29 “Procedure") competitor on the “The gate was only 20 yards away so I Question 16: Answer c. Stop play, caution pitch who has never went to the other side of the gate and I came the player for unsporting behaviour and shied away from back when my son's game was on.” restart the match with an indirect free kick telling a referee exactly what he's thinking. Did the ref realize who he was sending against the kicking team from the penalty This has gotten him in trouble from time to off? Was he a Manchester City fan? Was that mark. (Law 14 chart on p127) time and as he revealed during an episode of really all Beckham said to get a straight red? Question 17: Answer d. All previous answers The Jonathan Ross show, it’s even gotten We may never know. At least until the inevi- are correct (Ref Law 12 p34 #3,#4,#5) him kicked out of a Los Angeles area chil- table paparazzi video shows up. This was in dren’s match (7:28 into the video above) just LA, after all. Question 18: Answer b. The referee awards for trying to defend a seven-year-old kid. Beckham went on to say that while the a penalty kick to the opponents. (Law 12 p34 #10) Said Beckham, with a smile: referees might not appreciate his presence, “I was watching the kids play the other the other dads enjoy having him around and Question 19: Answer c. From the position of day, it was the younger kids of [middle son] that sometimes he helps coach the kids. the player who commits the offence. (Law 12 Romeo’s club, and there was a penalty Whenever he does end his playing career, p117 #12) given. maybe he will roam the land, arguing with Question 20: Answer d. No, he should be “And the kids are seven years old and he refs who send off random seven-year-olds cautioned, not sent off. (Ref:Law 12, p111: [the referee] sent the kid off. And I was like, and then waiting behind a nearby gate until “A player’s reckless manner must be cau- ‘Come on, he’s seven, referee, you ca’'t send the next youth match begins. tioned")

8 Fl a g & Wh i s t l e – February 2012 issue