More Upgrade Kudos

Here is another pair of referees that that performed exceptionally and have received upgrades for their efforts.
I want to take just a second a recognize these individuals that have distinguished themselves in this regard.

Keep it up guys!

James Moriarty & Frank Bagnardi

A time to celebrate

August has been a bit of a whirlwind for me personally for a variety of reasons. None the least of which is the work many have done surrounding my father's name that has occurred. Here is a very brief synopsis.

Stephen A. Kokolski Assessor of the Year.
This was a truly humbling experience. When first told about this honor of the renaming the MSRC Assessor of the Year Award to the Stephen A. Kokolski Assessor of the Year Award, I was shocked speechless (a rare occurrence unto itself). Even more humbling was the privilege to say a few words and present the award in the honor of the individual who received it. Mr. Pete Robinson truly embodies the values of this award for everything he does both for the program, and the referees and assessors it services. An honor well earned, and one I truly enjoyed delivering.

Photo courtesy MSRC

Stephen A. Kokolski Scholarship Awards.

August was also the month that the recipients of the 2010 Stephen A. Kokolski scholarships were awarded. A hearty congratulations to Mr. Christopher Fitzgibbon and Mr. Peter Reis, each a 2010 SAK scholarship award recipient.

Mr. Fitzgibbon came to us with not only solid refereeing credentials as he begins his career, but also a clear affinity for the sciences. Well rounded is probably the best way to describe Chris, as he seems to be equally comfortable in his role at MIT, as well as his ever expanding exposure to the finer details of music.

Mr. Reis also comes with some serious credentials as well. An honors student of chemical engineering at Northeastern University, in his off time is working at P&G and a recognized ability in the refereeing world as he attended at Region I President's Cup, and was an alternate for the National President's Cup in Nashville, TN.

Congratulations to both Chris and Peter!

We are in the process now of creating a web site for this ongoing foundation. It can be viewed here. Work is progressing and changes are coming.

A busy month so far indeed ... and one that will be topped off on the 28th by working with the instructional staff at the Development Night at the Revolution, where your humble author has been transformed from reporter, to quasi-instructor. Don't miss it ... it promises to be outstanding.

Open and Shut Case

Kicking Back Comments:
While at times I get the sense that FIFA wants to be a bona fide governing body (i.e. a recognized government), and takes steps in that direction with some of their tremendous charity work and influence they exert on nations. However, it is vapid responses like this which demonstrate a willingness not to engage in what may be a far more serious issue which (for me) very clearly militate away from any such assertion of true governance.


FIFA Statement on Korea DPR
Following a request for information sent by FIFA to the Korea DPR Football Association on 11 August, FIFA can now confirm that it has received a letter from the Korea DPR Football Association as a reply to that request for information. ...

See the full statement here on the casual inquiry investigation, courtesy of FIFA.

Week In Review - Week 20: A MUST READ

Kicking Back Comments:

For those who are not familiar with the "Week In Review" from US Soccer you should make it a regular read on a weekly basis. This week was particularly insightful as it talks about the "puzzle" that needs to be put together regarding Persistent Infringement (PI). Take the ten minutes and read it ... an excellent read.

Week In Review 2010 
Week 20 – Ending August 15, 2010 The ability of a referee to feel the game and piece together the various scenarios in a game (much like building a puzzle) has been reviewed in multiple “Week In Reviews” during the past two and a half seasons. This feel and the ability to piece together the big picture is one of the vital aspects of being a top-class referee. This version of the “Week In Review” will examine four clips requiring both feel and an understanding of the big picture to successfully navigate each scenario and make the optimum decision (guided by the Laws of the Game).


Full post here, courtesy of US Soccer.

New Poll ... Offside or Not?

As many of you have seen, there is a question if the video clip posted here is offside or not.

There is now a poll dedicated to the question. So the question is ..

Offside or not?

Offside or Not Offside ???

Simple enough - watch the 1 minute clip and decide.

http://www.tagesanzeiger.ch/sport/fussball/Wenn-der-Schiedsrichter-die-OffsideRegel-nicht-kennt/story/12711270

Bradely Watch Continues ... Now Looking At Aston Villa

Bradley confirms interest in Aston Villa job

United States coach Bob Bradley says he is keen to hold talks with Aston Villa owner Randy Lerner about being their next boss following Martin O'Neill's exit earlier this month.

Bradley, who led the USA to the last 16 of the World Cup, has had no formal talks with Villa's American owner but his representatives have made contact with the club.

"I think Aston Villa is a massive club with great history and a great following and those type of opportunities would of course be of interest," Bradley told BBC Radio Five Live. "I would certainly be honoured to have that conversation but I'm impressed with the way things have been handled so far and we'll see what the future holds." ...

Full story here, courtesy of ESPN.

JAFO Weighs In

As a follow up to "You Wanna Go?" earlier in the month, JAFO had a really a really good comment, agreeing in part with my comments, but adding a critical wrinkle to the mix. I wanted to share with you all. Straight from JAFO:

Yes but.........contained in the MLB rules is this gem: "9.02(a) Comment: Players leaving their position in the field or on base, or managers or coaches leaving the bench or coaches box, to argue on BALLS AND STRIKES will not be permitted. They should be warned if they start for the plate to protest the call. If they continue, they will be ejected from the game."

So, to take the umpire's position for a moment, this is an automatic, and his hands are essentially tied.  I am sure that Kulpa was not taunting Hunter, but expressing surprise and disbelief that Hunter would even begin to argue a ball/strike call knowing the penalty for doing so.  And this in the 8th inning of a game in which Hunter's team was in firm command.  Why argue something un-winnable at that point?  

This does not negate your comments and conclusion that Kulpa could have shown more respect, but does it at least raise the question about what responsibility the player had in all of this.  By backing the umpire into a corner, was Hunter showing respect?

A most excellent comment from one far more educated than I am about baseball.

My answer to the last question posited is a resounding "no" and JAFO is right that respect is a two sided coin. By Hunter arguing after the fact, and knowing better, he did put Kulpa in a corner that he had to do something. Ignore, argue back, eject ... None are great alternatives for Kulpa, or the game. Point well taken JAFO.

It lead me to a follow on thought, to be covered tomorrow soon, about "automatic" v. "discretionary" sanctioning and when you must use one versus considering using the other. Something about having enough rope to choke yourself ...

Upgrade Kudos

It is always a special occasion when a referee attains a new grade. It is a very clear signal of accomplishment and commitment to the craft many of us have dedicated our lives to.

I want to take just a second a recognize a few individuals that have distinguished themselves in this regard.

I wish them well on this next phase of their journey.
James Cormican

John Fontes

Randy Ellis

Ben Stillwell

Parents gone wild ...

Kicking Back Comments:
My answer to the byline question is ... NO! Book the guy and throw away the key for assault and battery of an 11 year old. Read on to see just how people lose their minds when it comes to youth sports. Granted I can empathize as I have seen my son tackled pretty hard in a match, but not to the point where I ran out into the field and do what this guy did. Take a look at the video too ... and the offending players coach who was flirting with blaming the referee, but never quite got there ... it was close though.

After Kids' Soccer Game - Arrest Over the Top?

Brighton, N.Y.- After a nearly month-long investigation, Brighton Police have arrested a Victor man for an incident at a Rochester District Youth Soccer League game.

It happened on July 16th at French Road Elementary School in a game between the Brighton Stormers and Victor-Farmington teams.

Police said that during the game, contact between 11-year-old players began escalating--and that's when Kevin Merriman, 41, of Victor, parent of a Victor-Farmington player, went onto the field, picked up one of the Brighton players and held him in a "bear hug" that resulted in the child being lifted off the ground. ...

Read the full article here, courtesy of WHAM.COM out of Rochester NY.

Poor Henry ... (Viewer warning ... off color language)

The following video courtesy of joketunes. 

See all their videos (also off color) here on YouTube.

Hector has plenty to say

Kicking Back Comments:
Earlier in July Kicking Back wrote about on of the most decorated FIFA referee/ARs, Hector Vergara.After his return to Canada he did what many of us do ... and that is to keep going at what he loves. Following is a nice interview with Mr. Vergara, sharing some of his thoughts about his last World Cup, its referees, their controversy, and life in general. A good read.

Back from World Cup, decorated official has plenty to say

What does the busiest official in World Cup history do when he returns home from a 44-day stay in South Africa? He puts on his cleats and gets back on the pitch, of course.

Héctor Vergara has officiated more World Cup games than anyone in history. At the recently completed 2010 edition of the world’s biggest sporting spectacle, he was patrolling the sidelines as an assistant referee for the Italy-Paraguay and Brazil-Portugal first-round matches, and the third-place match between Germany and Uruguay. ...

See the full article here, courtesy of the Winnipeg Free Press.

MSRC Awards Night

On 15-AUG-2010 the Massachusetts State Referee Committee (MSRC) held its 8th annual awards night. While there is much to report on in the week ahead both about the theme of the banquet, and the individuals recognized, I wanted to take just a brief moment to recognize each for their accomplishments here.

Congratulations to all. Each honor is well deserved.

Administrator of the Year:                 Levon Akoghlanian
Assignor of the Year:                         Al Cosentino
Assessor of the Year:                         Peter Robinson
Instructor of the Year:                        Rob Akie
Young Male Referee of the Year:     Alex Wallach‐Hanson
Young Female Referee of the Year:  Kristen Sundberg
Adult Referee of the Year:                 Rusmir Bilalic
Spirit of Game:                                    Frank Hasek
Flannery Award Winner:                     Rich Filippetti
Life Member:                                      Dennis Hogan

Gregg who ??

Kicking Back Comments:
In a poor attempt to be edgy or sarcastic Greg Doyel I believe misses the biggest picture of all in his below article. If the US MNT wants to do well on the international stage, they are going to have to seek a coach likely not from this country to get it done. Xenophobia aside, the bottom line is to get the best person for the job, not the best American for the job. 


I'd hire Marvin the Martian if it would help our cause.


After all the bottom line is winning ... right Gregg? What counts is that the players are US born, not the coach. Besides, if we follow Greggo's logic, the US could not use glue, because it was patented in Britain in the 1750's. How about beer ... nope, not here either. How about THE GAME itself? Nope ... Japan 1004 B.C. Why are we sullying ourselves with such things Gregg?


Read on friends, and just see how myopic an opinion can get ... that is to say in my own myopic opinion.


Ugly truth: U.S. soccer team needs American coach

This is not a soccer story. This is an American story, and as it happens, I'm an American. Jurgen Klinsmann is not. And for me, that's where the story starts, and ends:

Klinsmann is not an American, so I don't want him coaching the U.S. soccer team.

Let him coach Germany if he wants to coach a national team. Maybe Germany won't have him back. Maybe I don't care. That's their issue, not mine. Germany has a national team. America has a national team. Let theirs coach theirs, and ours coach ours. ...

Full rant article is here, courtesy of CBS Sports.

Yeah, but it's just a friendly ...

So this evening I was watching the New England Patriots play the New Orleans Saints in a pre-season gridiron football game. While not a gridiron football junkie, I do enjoy watching sometimes ... and certainly the home team whenever I can.

It got me thinking about fall and all it has to offer, including some tune up matches for some colleges or other amateur teams in the late summer, maybe even a high school match or two. It was then I remembered some advice I received a long time ago regarding such matches:

There is no such thing as a friendly match.

During these matches a referee can be at their most vulnerable. It is here that everyone involved can have the best of intentions in getting the teams together to "get the cobwebs out" or to prepare for an upcoming season. It is here however that players can lose their perspective and while not aiming to, really forget they are under the auspices of a referee.

If you accept a pre-season, scrimmage, or exhibition match, understand before hand what the expectations are. If it is a formal friendly or exhibition that is under the control of some state organization or league, chances are there is some understanding about what the expectations are and how they should be enforced. If not, you may want to find out before accepting the assignment.

That said, just because the match is not a league match does not give license to abandon the Laws Of The Game. For example, I was asked once to referee an O-30 scrimmage in my youth and "... not give any cautions". Well, you can guess what happened. I tried to oblige ... right up to the point there was a (2) footed, over the ball tackle that wound up in a fight.

Not so friendly after all.

Don't misunderstand me, there is a place for tuners. Not every match has to be a league game of some sort. Players need real game situations for practice too, and having a referee there helps. Friendlies are an essential part of what needs to happen for a team to prepare for a season or tournament.

My only point is to go into that match prepared like any other, and exercise the Laws as we have all been trained to do. Otherwise unwanted results may occur, for everyone.

I heard a rumor ...

Bob Bradley Set To Depart As US Manager

United States head coach Bob Bradley looks set depart as US manager following Tuesday's 2-0 loss to Brazil..

World Soccer Reader has learned that United States manager Bob Bradley will not stay on as manager for the next World Cup cycle. According a source, Bradley gave a short farewell speech to players and staff, thanking them for the last four years following the United States’ 2-0 loss to Brazil on Tuesday night.

We have also heard that Bradley’s departure could be revealed at a press conference as early as this week.

Bradley led the United States to a second round exit after a 2-1 extra time loss to Ghana. Contract negotiations with the United States Soccer Federation had been suspended till after the US-Brazil friendly. ...

See the whole post here, courtesy of World Soccer Reader.

FIFA now investigates allegations of player punishments in N. Korea

FIFA president Sepp Blatter confirmed today that FIFA has launched an official inquiry into allegations that North Korea mistreated some of its players and officials following their poor performance at this year’s World Cup.

Blatter stated that FIFA has written to the North Korean football federation on Tuesday to request information about the allegations and details on the election of its new president. ...

Full story here, courtesy of playthegame.org.

That will be $10,000 please ... and here is your change of $29,990,000.

Kicking back comments: 

FIFA has to be kidding with this one. From the story below you will learn that both the Spain and Dutch federations were fined for their teams deplorable conduct during the World Cup final last month. For this however the Spanish were fined about $10,000 and the Dutch about $14,500. Not each player mind you, that's the whole nut for each team. In the case of Spain, this represents about .03% of their winnings going toward this fine. In the case of the Dutch, this is doubled at a whopping .06% of their winnings.

Now theoretically such a fine is for punitive reasons, right? This is what fines are for to punish the individuals involved to keep bad behavior from repeating itself. Is this FIFA's attempt to punish these federations for bad behavior during a World Cup Final? Lets say in the case of Spain, it was $10K for everyone on the team, including managers and staff. What's that 50 people? Okay, now we are talking about $500,000, which is still small potatoes relative to what is at stake.

Does FIFA really think players are deterred by this in a World Cup setting? While this may be real money for some organizations in many situations, I would opine, it is not here. FIFA's disciplinary code entails when at least (5) players are "sanctioned" in a match, a fine is levied. I would suggest to really make it count, charge a national federation $1M on "sanction" #6, and everyone thereafter. Now we're talking! Even better, give the fines to the FIFA referee program for the training of current and future referees!

For a punitive measure to work, it has to sting a bit. Fining a national association $10,000 in the face of their $30,000,000 winnings is meaningless and does nothing to deter future behavior of the type.

FIFA should do better ... for the good of the game.

Netherlands, Spain fined for final fouls

ZURICH -- The Netherlands and Spain have been fined by FIFA for their players' lack of discipline in a bad-tempered World Cup final.

FIFA said Tuesday the Dutch federation must pay $14,480 after eight different players received yellow cards, including defender John Heitinga, who was booked a second time and sent off.

English referee Howard Webb showed five yellow cards to Spain, earning its federation a $9,650 fine. ...

Full story continues here, courtesy of ESPN.com.

Today is Bradley's Day

Bob Bradley's U.S. Future Will be Decided After Tuesday's Brazil Friendly

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- U.S. national team coach Bob Bradley confirmed Monday afternoon that he was in touch with English Premier League club Fulham during its recent search for a new manager, and that his future remains up in the air as substantive discussions with the U.S. Soccer Federation have been pushed back until after Tuesday's match against Brazil.

"People spoke to Fulham on my behalf. I did not actually speak to anyone at Fulham. I think that's simple and straightforward," Bradley said in response to a question from FanHouse here at New Meadowlands Stadium, the $1.6 billion, 82,500-seat facility that recently opened just off the New Jersey Turnpike. Fulham wound up hiring former Blackburn Rovers and Manchester City coach Mark Hughes, but Bradley's name has surfaced again today in connection with another, more high-profile English club -- Aston Villa.

Full story continues here, courtesy of soccer.fanhouse.com.

FIFA World Magazine

Not all that long ago I was had a significant layover in Germany on my way to India and I ran across the subject magazine in a Lufthansa lounge to pass the time between flights. It was a quick read, very flashy and well put together to help deliver FIFA's message.

Sure enough as I was roaming around the dark corners of FIFA site again I came across the online version of the magazine. Still a good read. Particularly the August 2010 version, which recaps the 2010 World Cup and contains a bunch of info that can be mined form a number of sources, but is all right there in a single source for anyone interested.

A very good delivery as well (the sound of the page turning is really cool). Click the thumbnail below for the August 2010 version, or here for an index. All courtesy of FIFA.