Mark Malijan/NSS
Referees face a difficult task every time they step onto the pitch. They are required to call the game fairly, while facing microscopic scrutiny for every decision they make.
The 2009 MLS season has proven this fact, as referees have been involved in several crucial calls that have determined the outcomes of many games. Eight weeks into the season and MLS refs have handed out 18 red cards and 217 yellow cards.
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Seattle Sounders FC have been subject to three red cards in weeks four, seven and eight to Kasey Keller, Fredy Montero and James Riley respectively. The latest flash of red has brought heavy criticism, which leads to the question of how referees make decisions that can bring grim or glory to a team during a match.
The game of soccer is governed by Federation International de Football Association (FIFA). FIFA writes the complete rulebook, titled "The Laws of the Game," which contains every rule and interpretation that referees, players, coaches and anybody else involved in the sport are required to abide by.
Yellow cards, red cards and harsh fouls are all included in the text as well as how referees are required to react when these instances arise.
LAW 12 - Fouls and Misconduct
This section includes rules and reactions on player dissent, violent conduct and every way in which a player may receive disciplinary action from the referee.
When a referee is faced with a decision on the field, these rules are used to determine how those decisions should be made.
Riley was ejected for what the referee considered violent conduct, which according to the rules of the game includes "excessive force or brutality against an opponent when not challenging for the ball."(1)
The Laws also remind referees that "violent conduct often leads to mass confrontation, therefore they must try to avert this with active intervention."(2)
In the instance of Riley grabbing Galaxy midfielder Mike Magee's neck, the ref determined that the action had potential to start "mass confrontation." This is required to be stopped with immediate action from the referee and he considered Riley's infraction a red-card offense.
Although it may have been a harsh decision against Riley, referees are not machines, they are humans with their own styles and personalities of applying the laws of the game.
Keep in mind the rules that referees are forced to interpret on-the-fly, without the ability of instant replay.
Notes:
(1) "The Laws of the Game," http://www.fifa.com/worldfootball/lawsofthegame.html, (Zurich: FIFA, July 2008), p. 118
(2) Ibid
Reach Jesse Amorratanasuchad at nextseasonsports@gmail.com
