.jpg)
Photo: AP
MLS and the US Soccer Federation are working to improve the quality of US referees and hence the quality of US soccer. Recent initiatives involve improved communication with players, which included a panel discussion with MLS players a couple years ago and is now focused on preseason team meetings.
US Soccer Federation Referee Inspector Angelo Bratsis spoke with me about the panel discussion and increased testing requirements for US referee inspectors.
"The inspectors used to be tested on the laws of the game and position papers, directives, law changes every two years and now they'll have to do it every year," said Bratsis. "They take the test online and have 60 minutes to complete it. If they don’t, they shut you off."
The US referee program is increasing communication and transparency between referees, inspectors, organizations, players, and even fans, who can access US Soccer’s Week in Review, which analyzes referee decisions. Within the organization, referee inspectors file each match report with US Soccer, MLS, and each referee’s next match inspector.
“If I have Kevin Stott today and Kevin has a game next Wednesday,” said Bratsis, “I need to be contact with that mentor and he reads that report to find out what were the decisions and particular problems in that game. So, when he starts preparing his crew for the next game, he makes reference to the previous game where problems were identified. He asks, ‘what have you done to correct it to make sure this doesn’t happen again?’ It’s continuous and everybody’s on the loop.”
The panel discussion with MLS players
The referees are also communicating more with players. Last year the Federation began a program to make individual teams aware of league directives and this year is looking to expand that program. The idea started a couple years ago as a panel discussion between referees and players.
At the annual national referee camp, the referees arranged for a panel discussion with four MLS players, including three National Team players, and coach Bob Bradley to sort out issues and improve communication. Bradley expressed his thoughts and left. The players looked very nervous.
Bratsis describes the discussion below:
“The head of the referees asked the players, ‘What do you want from us? Which fouls do you tolerate?’"
"And the players told them.”
“One young referee said [paraphrased], ‘We watch the English football leagues and see these fouls and tackles and the players never complain, never bitch, never moan, never groan. They just get up and keep on going about their business and that’s what makes a game very exciting.’"
“One of the players responded [paraphrased], ‘You’re absolutely right. I don’t think we’re disciplined enough to hold our tempers and emotions, but we’re getting there, we’re getting better. These players in England are highly professional. They know they’re never going to change the referee’s decision, they’re only going to end up getting a yellow card by opening their mouth or probably be sent off. They walk it off, shake it off, and off they go with the game. Very seldom you see a player act very negatively to a referee.’”
“Another young rookie referee said [paraphrased], ‘I’ve been watching MLS games since I was a kid and now I’m a referee. Why do you do some of the dumb things you do in the home field? Like dissent and mass confrontation, gestures, foul mouth, fouls designed to endanger the safety of a player? Why do you do it if we’re trying to promote the game?’”
“[One player] said [paraphrased], ‘We do it because you allow it. If I do something stupid and you don’t do anything to me, I’m going to keep on doing it. You put me in my place when you give me a yellow card and I’ll shape up. You guys don’t take care of business, so I keep on doing it. I do it because you allow it.’”
“My respect for [that player] went up ten-fold," said Bratsis. "The kid’s got character, he tells it like it is. And that was the message for the whole year. When I prepare the referees for the game I tell them, ‘They’re going to keep on doing it as long as you allow it.’ It’s so true.”
US referees kick it up a notch continued in Part 3.
More reading:
US referees kick it up a notch: Fitness increased to FIFA standards (Part 1)
US referees kick it up a notch: The panel discussion with players (Part 2)
US referees kick it up a notch: Compensation (Part 3)
US referees kick it up a notch: The international element (Part 4)
US referees kick it up a notch: A new initiative (Part 5)
MLS Growth Challenges referees
Rash Tackles and Inconsistent Referees Challenge MLS
What makes a good referee? An inspector speaks
FOLLOW BOSTON PRO SOCCER EXAMINER AND LE EISENMENGER ON TWITTER.
Comments