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With the start of the soccer tournaments and fall season, we have to discuss a very unpleasant topic...referee abuse.
What is referee abuse? Basically, it's any actions or words that not simply undermine the referee's authority, but actively attack that authority and the person who holds it. It can be a physical attack (pushing, striking, damaging personal property... Violent Conduct) or a verbal one (threatening physical harm, attacking the referee's abilities, capabilities, intelligence, honor, race, gender, ethnicity... Insulting or Abusive Language).
A physical attack, or the threat of one, is assault. A verbal attack is abuse.
Each year, referees are subjected to abuse - and sometimes assault - from players, coaches, and spectators. If not addressed promptly and effectively, these situations can result in referees leaving the program or suffering physical injury.
The BASRA Handbook contains pointers on how to handle an abusive individual. We won't go into those mechanics here, other than to remind you to stay calm and respectful, no matter how the abuser chooses to behave.
What we do want to discuss is the necessity to follow up on these situations.
The only way we can effectively deal with referee abuse is for any of us who experience it to file a report immediately. Again, the Handbook contains guidelines for filling out such a report. You may use a USSF Report, a BAYSA Misconduct Report, or just a sheet of paper. Any of your BASRA Board members will assist you with the paperwork.
When completed, the report should be filed with the State if physical assault or threats are involved. If verbal abuse is involved, send the report to the BASRA President. (He may decide to have you file with State anyway.)
Once the report is filed, don't back down! You may feel that you don't want to pursue it, it's too much trouble, or your abuser has learned his/her lesson. But you must think of other referees who could be exposed to similar mistreatment. If you allow it to happen to you, you encourage it happening to someone else.
Remember, if you don't report these situations they will only continue, and others will be exposed to this unacceptable behavior.
(If you wish to comment on this article, send a message to basra@basra-refs.org.)
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