That's it !!??!!

So apparently FIFA is "giving in" and is set to adopt goal line technology for the 2012-2013 season as reported here by Guardian.

There were some funny things in this article:

Fifa has recognised the shortcomings of the previous testing environment and, in a tender document circulated on April 20, stated: "The tests will be conducted in two phases at a football stadium selected by the respective technology providers, in consultation with Fifa."

How were these tested previously? Not in a football stadium? The engineer in me is coming out and really wondering what happed here the first time around that somehow the testing would not be accurate?

This next line was hilarious.

To proceed to the second round, technologies must demonstrate a minimum of 90% accuracy in recognising whether both a static or a moving ball is across the line.

90%. That's it !!??!!

Frankly, what a joke. While I don't have a hard number, anecdotally if referees had a 10% margin for error on this stuff they would get in deep, deep trouble.

That is an outrageous and unacceptable number! For all the whining that has been done about referees missing crucial goal line calls, and the solution ...

We will get it right 9 out of every 10 times at least ... please.

Give me a live referee 10 out of 10 times.

Massachusetts 2011 Appointments to the Region I Tournaments

One of the most exciting things for me in my young career as a referee was to travel to matches in different states, see different teams, and work with other referees.

As we approach the thrust of the Spring 2011 season there are several young referees who have distinguished themselves to earn the privilege to attend some of the most prestigious youth tournaments in this part of the country, and may earn the opportunity while there, to go even further.

Please join me in congratulating all the referees below for their upcoming appointments.

President's Cup (May 27-30, 2011 - Saratoga Springs, NY):

Jordan Cavaco
Cory Cloutier
Mike Filios
Ron Judd
Aaron Lewinter
Max Perkins
David Rixham
Eric Schreiber
Kristin Sundberg
Brian Trischitta
Matthew Visconti

ODP Region I Tournament - (June 10-12, 2011 - Rider University, NJ):

Kenneth Koopmans
Anthony Brossi
Corson Fidler
Nicholas Grimard
Aaron Lewinter
Cara Pember
Max Perkins
Jo-Ellen Rowley
Kristin Sundberg
Brian Trischitta
Sarah Wooley

Alternates:

Matthew Visconti

Danielle Kaminski

David Rixham

Region I Championships - (June 30 - July 5, 2011 - Huntington, WV):

Anthony Brossi
Cory Cloutier
Michael Dee
Nathanael Dewhurst
Randall Kelley
Kenneth Koopmans
Nelson Machado
Jennine Regan
Peter Ries
Eric Schreiber
Kristin Sundberg
Alex Wallach-Hanson

Alternates:

DJ Corey

Sarah Wooley

Danielle Kaminski

Aaron Lewinter

CONMEBOL to back Blatter

CONMEBOL to back Blatter

South America's confederation (CONMEBOL) will back Sepp Blatter in the upcoming FIFA Presidential campaign against rival Mohamed Bin Hammam.

Blatter's recent criticism of the organisation of World Cup 2014 to be held in Brazil saw suggestions that he would not be a popular choice in South America, but Argentina football chief Julio Grondona told the CONMEBOL executive board he was in no doubt as to who he would be voting for next month. ...

See the whole article here courtesy of ESPN.

Kicking Back Comments: Interesting if true. I also wonder if this was a way for Brazil to get FIFA off its back regarding the upcoming World Cup. A promise for a vote in exchange for some silence?

We will see next month ... 

I Dunno ...

For those who have been following me for a time, you will recognize that I often reflect on scenarios that happen to me when coaching Jr.'s soccer team. Recently we spoke about advantage and injuries in "Stop, Drop, and Roll."

Today's installment involves cautions, and making sure to get something for them.

First, some history:
As some may know, the modern day misconducts were created by Ken Aston. As the story goes slowing and stopping at a traffic light, Mr. Aston created the modern day caution and send off misconducts, a scheme that was first introduced in the 1970 World Cup. For a nice article on the topic, take a look here.

Now our scenario:
During Jr.'s match a player on Jr.'s team committed (in my opinion) a foul. As a result, both players went down in a lump as the opponent was hurt. Kudos to the referee for stopping the match right away to attend to the injury.

After attending to the player, the referee called the player who committed the foul over and seemed to have a word with him, took out his book, and wrote something down. Okay ... that was weird. Maybe the referee was recording the injury.

After this players shift I sat with him on the bench and asked a couple of questions. Here they are with the responses ... keep in mind this is a very young player.

PK: Looks like you got tangled pretty good with that player. Everyone OK?
Teammate of Jr.'s: Yeah, I guess I kicked him in the back of the leg. He's OK.

PK: Did you mean to?
Teammate of Jr.'s: No! (a little shocked) It was an accident.

PK: Did the referee show you a yellow card?
Teammate of Jr.'s: Yes. I dunno why though. He didn't really say.

Friends, foul aside, and wisdom of cautioning a very young player aside (they deserve it sometimes), what concerns me is not even the player receiving the caution themselves knew what was going on.

A caution is a signal that a referee is nearly out of options on how to control a player or the match. Conservation of such punitive actions are hallmarks of exceptional management. That said, there are times that you just have to give the caution. Sometimes the LOTG mandates the misconduct, sometimes THE game needs one to "slow things down" as Ken Aston discovered slowing down for a traffic light.

When a referee gives that caution however, they should be seeking a quid pro quo, and getting something tangible back for showing the caution. It should be a sign to all that the conduct the player demonstrated is not acceptable and will not be tolerated in this match. This should be made clear to the player who committed the act as well as everyone else to the EVERYONE know this was over "the line."

Sometimes we will see referees providing some theater to make the point by pointing to several points of the field to indicate a persistent infringement caution, or maybe placing their hand over their mouth for dissent. All of this acting is to let not just the offending player know, but all players in the park, and for that matter everyone watching, no more of that!

Once everyone is on notice, it becomes much easier to take additional actions if another player performs the same act, or the same player persists.

If the player who received the caution does not know what it is for, how can we expect to get the right reaction from the players to stop that type of behavior?

We all know the answer. We can't.

When you caution, get something for it, and make sure everyone, EVERYONE, knows it happened, and the behavior is not acceptable.

With that, you get something back for your effort.

Upgrade Kudos

As we have done here in the past, I would like to congratulate Raul Carreno, who has recently been upgraded to Grade 7 (Referee 1st Class).

Well done!

MLS Well Represented at Royal Wedding

Photo courtesy of twirlit.com

Kicking Back Comments: He cleans up well. Interesting note on the medal he is wearing, it is the Order of the British Empire which he received in 2003 from The Queen.

Only one problem ... protocol dictates the medal be worn on the left side, over the heart. Oh well, good try David.

I wonder if he and the royals are going to have any conversations surrounding England's failed attempt at securing a World Cup? 

Nah ... that would have to be breaking protocol of some type, no?

FIFA Accepting Applications

Media Info: 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil

Media accreditation process for the Preliminary Draw launched

FIFA announces that the accreditation process for media representatives who intend to cover the Preliminary Draw for the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil™ opened via the FIFA Media Channel (http://media.fifa.com). The deadline for accreditation applications is Friday, 13 May 2011.

Thereafter, the applicant’s information will be subject to a review process by FIFA and the Local Organising Committee. Applicants will be notified by e-mail as of mid-May 2011 if their accreditation requests were successful. ...

See the whole story here, courtesy of the Ghana FA.

Kicking Back's comments: This one is just too tempting to pass up. KB just might have to "turn pro" to get the inside scoop on this one.

Let the games begin ... again

CONCACAF World Cup Qualifying To Begin June 3

NEW YORK - The 10 lowest CONCACAF teams in the FIFA rankings will face off in two-leg series June 3 and June 7, beginning the region's qualifying process for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

FIFA announced on Tuesday the five preliminary round matchups, which is part of a proposal by the CONCACAF Executive Committee still pending full approval from FIFA that includes three group phases. ...

See the full story here, courtesy of boxscorenews.com.

Stop, Drop, and Roll

So last week Jr. had an indoor soccer match and I saw something that gave me a great moment to reflect that I wanted to share.

Often referees pride themselves in the use of “advantage”, as when it is applied correctly, it can be a beautiful thing. When it is applied poorly however, it can lead to horrible results. This brief escapade is about the latter.

In the second half of a match, with the score within a goal, a teammate of Jr.’s was hit with a shot in the head, and went down in a lump crying, with Jr.’s team retaining the ball. Approximately 15 seconds later, Jr.’s team scored a goal.

After the goal, the coach of Jr.’s team rushed out to tend to the player and I, as the dutiful assistant, readied a substitute. After some inspection, Jr.’s teammate was not badly hurt, but was visibly shaken and had a “mouse” under his left eye to show for his tangle with the ball.

While happy that a player was not hurt, I was also very unhappy about the referee letting the play go on with a player, any player, a U-10 player, lying in a lump holding his head from an obvious injury.

As I tended to the players injuries, I found myself in some conflict.

Early on in my career I had done the same thing on several occasions. I made the choice that a player’s injury was not severe enough to warrant stopping the match for them. After all, this is right in the LOTG in Law 5. Right?

Yes it is in the LOTG, but age and experience has taught me a couple of things.

First, allowing play to continue while a player is injured in NOT invoking the advantage clause. It is simply not stopping play. The advantage clause is specifically used when a foul is committed, and by the referee stopping play they will give an advantage to the team that committed the foul. In such a case, invoking the advantage clause is an appropriate thing to do. In fact, with somewhat recent law changes, if the advantage does not materialize, the referee can even reverse themselves and stop play to give the foul.

Second, players’ safety needs to come first always. That is for full international matches all the way down to U-10 local leagues. If the players do not believe they are safe, they will take matters into their own hands to protect themselves and their interests. Now, that pendulum swings based on things like age, competition, level of play, and referee ability.

A referee should be more apt to stop play immediately for young players that have sustained an obvious injury in a vital area, such as their head. Conversely, a referee should be more apt to allow play to continue for experienced players (not older necessarily) that have sustained a minor injury in a non-vital area, such as an ankle.

In that middle ground, this may not be so easy to judge. It is also always important to remember that generally referees are not Medical Doctors, and even if they are, they cannot effectively discharge both duties simultaneously. In all cases however, err on the side of safety, and you as referee cannot be legitimately criticized for keeping the welfare of the players first.

Without the players, there is no game, and for a referee to be as prideful as to desire a great call, over the safety of the players can, and does, lead to disaster. If there is doubt, stop the play, everyone will (eventually) thank you for it, especially the injured player who needed the help.

Upgrade Kudos

As we have done here in the past, I would like to congratulate Tim Likosky, who has recently been upgraded to Grade 7 (Referee 1st Class).


Well done!

Programming Note

Dear followers of Kicking Back:
Over the next few days I am going to be traveling and "unplugged." During that time I do not have any posts "in the can" ready to go, and will not be near any place that I will be able to post. Please do however browse the archives on the right of your screen as they now have about 1 year (yipes) of content behind them.

As always, JAFO and Nigel may jump in and sprinkle their wisdom on the topic du jour, however will be engaged no doubt in their own right. I will enjoy reading any posts should they do so, on my return.

Good week to all, and thanks for reading.
PK

Beantown Boys at it again

U.S. investors make history with Roma takeover; Milan extend lead

(CNN) -- AS Roma became the first Italian soccer club to be owned by foreign investors on Saturday when an American group completed its takeover of the Serie A side.

The consortium is headed by Thomas DiBenedetto, a partner of the New England Sports Ventures group which owns English club Liverpool and U.S. baseball team the Boston Red Sox. ...

See the full story here, courtesy of CNN.

After the batteries die

Ah, the good old days. I remember a time when soccer was played with the most minimal equipment. In fact, that is the primary reason for its world-wide success: you can play it anywhere with nothing but a small object that serves as a ball. It did not have to be a ball either, it could be something as simple as a ball of rags or small stone, or a stuffed leather pouch as was commonly used over two millennia ago in Asia when the game was taking shape. In medieval times they used a human head as the ball. No shoes; no shinguards: no problem!

OK, so maybe I do not personally remember using a human head as a ball, but I certainly remember the time before shinguards became mandatory. In my early days, I played goalkeeper without them, and even without gloves. The only item of "protective" gear I wore was a soft knit hat on my head, and that was to keep my ears from freezing in the cold weather. (Later, FIFA outlawed them because players were using them as a helmet of sorts, and playing too aggressively. I have to admit that I did take to wearing the hat on some very warm days too for that reason.)

Now things are different. We need equipment. And for the referees, we need even more equipment than the players! How could that be?! From the flipping coin to the final whistle, we are handling equipment that we can do without. If you truly are a student of the game's history, you may realize that none of this stuff was necessary in the beginning. Red and yellow cards were only developed a scant 50 years ago. Even the indispensible whistle has only been around for a little more than a century. How was it that this game was played for over 2000 years without a whistle!!

We are now entering the era of spray paint and the battery-operated device. Beepers flags and wireless radios are tools of any well-equipped professional referee, and no doubt coming to a field near you. Will goal-line lasers or balls embedded with micro-chips be far behind?

Is this a good thing for our game? Is it no longer possible for an officiating crew to manage a game without electronic tools to communicate with each other? And if this is such a good idea, should the players also wear them so they can also talk to each other and receive real-time instruction from their coaches?

Don't get me wrong - I think some of the new equipment is good for the game. Certainly the use of a standard sized air-filled sphere instead of a human head made for more accurate passing. As for most of the rest of the advancements since then, I am not so sure.

And when it comes to refereeing, I lament the encroachment of technology. It is a simple game, certainly we can manage it as such. Sure, there may be an occasional mistake by the refereeing crew, but isn't that a part of the game? Don't the players make mistakes too? Aren't humans flawed and don't we celebrate that? Isn't that why a game is played in the first place?

FIFA committee takes over Bosnia federation

GENEVA — FIFA on Tuesday set up a committee to take over the running of Bosnian football and resolve rifts that led to Bosnia Hercegovina's suspension from international football this month.

The six strong normalisation committee will immediately cut off the old tripatrite leadership by May 26 and reform the country's football federation by the end of November, world football's governing body said in a statement.

FIFA and European governing body UEFA suspended Bosnia Hercegovina from international and European football on April 1 after the country's federation (NSBIH) failed to adopt statutes that would lead to a single-member presidency. ...

See the whole story here, courtesy of AFP via Google.

Kicking Back's Comments:

FIFA 12 In Development

Screenshot courtesy of EA Sports

For all you virtual players, EA has just released a screenshot of FIFA 12.

Not much to see yet, but it is on the street that EA's focus is on set pieces, grass, and stars like Kaka.

Release date would seem to be set around early Q4 2011 ... no doubt in time for Christmas.

You can see what EA is trying to improve on with FIFA 11. Also, take a look at an incredibly detailed analysis and wish list from blogcritics, here.

Not surprised in the least

FIFA's Jack Warner Accused of Seeking England World Cup Bid Favours

(WFI) The leaders of England’s failed bid to host the 2018 World Cup were asked by FIFA vice-president Jack Warner to pay for an education centre in his native Trinidad during the bid process.

The Times newspaper alleges that Warner twice asked England’s World Cup bid leaders about funding for facilities on the island, in London in October 2009 and again while a high-profile delegation visited Trinidad at the time of a Caribbean Football Union dinner last February. ...

See the whole story here, from World Football Insider.

Kicking Back comments: Representing CONCACAF with style since 1983. For the record, I'll take Chuck Blazer any day of the week and twice on Sunday over Jack Warner.

Another country heard from

Nowak’s referee plea goes beyond crying foul

CHESTER — It’s unusual for a coach to select a match in the first month of the season as his team’s measuring stick, an indicator of future fortunes, a forecaster of what is to come.

But that’s what Saturday represents for the Union according to manager Peter Nowak.

Nowak wants to ensure that the Union’s meeting with New York is a flawless one — from the points that his players control to those out of their hands.

“Soccer is a funny game,” Nowak said, “because there’s always something to complain about.”

By the time the Union take the pitch at PPL Park Saturday afternoon against the Red Bulls, Major League Soccer officials already will have received at least one letter from Nowak. He did the same a year ago — on a number of occasions, no less. The reason? Nowak is dissatisfied.

From what Nowak has seen during the MLS season, and Wednesday night in the Union’s U.S. Open Cup defeat, the officiating has been lackluster. ...

See the full story here, courtesy of the Daily Times.

Kicking Back Comments: While I have not seen the letters to MLS, I can only hope Piotr included some constructive points, and just simply just did not witch about how poor the officiating is. A very talented player and coach, but from my personal experience may not be the best one to dole out advice on high level referees. I hope times have changed and there is more substance than comments about how he believes a referee was "over his head."

Looks like refereeing is not the only "boys club" in soccer

Early in February I ran a short series of posts commenting on the state of refereeing in the US as it related to women ... or the lack thereof. One such notable post can be found at: Neil Buethe Speaks on women referees at the professional level.

It would seem this is not a problem that only refereeing has in the US. Take a look at the Soccer America piece, 'Coaching still a boys club,' says Vardar's Miriam Hickey. In it Hickey briefly details why in her opinion that is true. I wonder if those same reasons translate to refereeing?

She makes another interesting observation as well. From the article:

SA: Why is American youth soccer so much more expensive than in other countries, such as the Netherlands?

MIRIAM HICKEY: Only the professional clubs and top amateur clubs have professional staff. Everybody else can do with volunteers, but the sport has been there for a 150 years. In my family everybody played. My uncles, my father, my grandfather. That’s how it is in every family. So you have knowledgeable people directing the sport and so you don’t spend a whole lot.

The fields are city fields, and you don’t have to pay for them. There’s only one association that leads all the different leagues. So you have a really good pyramid going from 4-year-olds to 60-year-olds. And, of course, it’s a smaller country.

This comment was telling for me and led me to a question. How rich is our soccer heritage here in the US? Most folks who want to get involved (bless them) generally have never played the game before. Makes me a little scared as I get ready to open another youth season this Saturday.

I channel those newer referees who have played their whole life, getting yelled at by parents who have never kicked a ball before. What's wrong with that picture?

Some words from the wise as our season opens

SAFETY* Peter C. Johnson State Referee Instructor Assistant State Director of  Instruction

The unwritten Law 18 Common Sense is a very important part officiating.  However Safety is the most important part of what we do.  Not just at the youth level but at all age groups adjusted accordingly.

Law I FIELD:

Referees should arrive in plenty of time to inspect the field, goals, flags, and markings for accuracy and safety.  No part of the field surface or the goals and flag posts may be dangerous to the players.  If the field conditions are dangerous or unsuitable for play, the referee must refuse to officiate the game and, unless there is a possibility that the problem can be corrected, should leave immediately after announcing his decision to both sides. Unresolved problems with the field that do not involve safety should be included in your report, even if the game is played.

GOALS:

The goals MUST be securely anchored to the ground. For safety reasons, if the goals are not securely anchored to the ground, the match shall not be played.

CORNER FLAGS:

The corner flags and the optional halfway flags shall be no less than 5 feet high; anything shorter is dangerous to the players.  If used, the optional halfway flag  must be at least 1 yard outside the touch line. Cones shall NOT be used THEY ARE DANGEROUS in an effort to assist the referees discs may be used if suitable flags are not available. If flexible corner flags are being used and due to wind or age of said corner flags they bend into the field of play or in any direction that could affect a player safety they should not be used. (Due to the fact that they are no longer 5 ‘ high and therefore do not meet the standards of the law.) Players, coaches, spectator etc, are not allowed to remove, bend, or touch the flags.

Law III Players (Goalkeeper) Safety – The referee must be vigilant with respect to the safety of the youth goalkeeper.  Call any infringement of the law 12 that is clearly against the letter of the law.  If a young goalkeeper is stretched out with face and vital organs exposed we must protect them.  Protection is clearly an age related concept.  The younger the player the more we protect.  Error on the side of safety and if in the case of an older goalkeeper, they let you know they did not need your protection and are upset with having to put the ball in play with a free kick, adjust yourself accordingly.

Law IV- Players wearing of equipment, which is dangerous to other players, or to themselves, shall not be eligible to participate in any game.

Equipment which shall be considered dangerous includes, but is not limited to the following:

a.   Any rigid or semi-rigid cast or splint, apparently designed to immobilize or protect a joint or limb segment, regardless of padding, of said cast or splint.

b.   Hair control devices which are elastic, flexible, and soft should be allowed.

Devices which are made of hard, sharp, edged, or breakable materials are not safe and may not be worn, regardless of any coverings.  Beads or other similar decorative devices woven into or affixed on the hair are inherently dangerous and are not allowed.

c.   Earrings of any kind, including post earrings, regardless of coverings.

d.  Jewelry of any sort.  (Religious medals or medical tags may be taped to body)

e.   Joint braces or supports, apparently designed to permit flexion motion of a joint in  one or more planes, and to support that joint or restrict motion of that joint in other planes, are generally acceptable.  Joint braces or supports, which have exposed hinges, buckles, buttons, zippers, etc., may be dangerous. These devices, if taped or padded, may be acceptable, if they are no longer inherently dangerous to another player, in the judgment of the referee.

f.   Hats or other headgear…the brim (hard bill) of a common baseball cap is not considered to meet the requirement of soft and pliable material. (It is dangerous if not soft). Other soft protective headgear, shall be acceptable for the goalkeeper, if not inherently dangerous to another player, in the judgment of the Referee

Head Injuries: Play shall be stopped immediately. Whenever a player's head is injured -- regardless of whether the collision was with an opponent, a teammate, or an object on the field such as a goal post -- the safety of that player is of prime concern. There is no higher priority.

Other injuries:  Law 5 under “Power of the referee” states:”the referee stops the match for serious injuries and allows play to continue for minor injuries”.  It is the official policy of the State Director of Instruction that in all youth league play, U-12 and below, all injuries are serious, and play shall be stopped. The restart will be a dropped ball at the location of the ball when the referee stopped play for the injury, unless play was previously stopped and then the restart shall be the appropriate one for the stoppage.

With safety in mind we must consider the “Advantage Clause” of Law 12. Using the logic from above the referee shall call all non-trifling fouls in all youth league play, U-12 and below, and award the appropriate free-kick restart. We must ignore complaints of “We had the ball” or “That’s Advantage” deferring to safety for the younger player.

Weather:

1. Lightning

a. Recognizing the threat

(1) Apply the 30-30 rule

When you see lightning, count the time until you hear thunder. If this time is 30 seconds or less, seek proper shelter. If you can't see the lightning, just hearing the thunder is a good back-up rule. Wait 30 minutes after hearing the last thunder before leaving shelter.

 (2) Minimize the risk of being struck

Protect the safety of all participants by stopping game activities quickly, so that participants and spectators may retire to a safer place before the lightning threat becomes significant.  Remember, if you can hear the thunder, you are within reach of lightning.

b. Seeking proper shelter

(1) No place outside is safe near thunderstorms

(2) The best shelter is a large, fully enclosed, substantially constructed building. A vehicle with a solid metal roof and metal sides is a reasonable second choice.

c. If there is no proper shelter, avoid the most dangerous locations: Higher elevations; wide open areas, including fields; tall isolated objects, such as trees, poles, or light posts; unprotected open buildings; rain shelters; bus stops; metal fences and metal bleachers.

d. If you cannot avoid these locations, crouch down on the balls of your feet, with your head tucked into your chest and your hands over your ears.  If someone is hit, remember that all deaths from lightning result from cardiac arrest and stopped breathing. CPR and mouth-to-mouth resuscitation, respectively, are the recommended first aid. Referees should become involved in such assistance only if they have proper training.

e. Remain calm. A calm official will often be able to prevent panic by young players.

2. Other types of severe weather

For all other types of severe storms, such as tornadoes, hurricanes, and hail, obey local rules and

heed warnings.  Clear the field and seek proper shelter immediately – see above. Remember, according to standard weather warning terminology a "warning" represents a more immediately likely occurrence than a "watch."

NO SEVERE WEATHER SAFETY GUIDELINES WILL GIVE 100% GUARANTEED TOTAL SAFETY,

BUT THESE STEPS WILL HELP YOU AVOID THE VAST MAJORITY OF CASUALTIES.

* Excerpted from: Advice to Referees, Colorado Safety Guidelines, USSF Position papers and Points of Emphasis, and former SDI Ed Rae.

Another investigation into FIFA's actions

Fifa faces investigation into Burma business deal

Fifa is the subject of an investigation by the Swiss state authorities over allegations that its financial dealings with Burma may have broken international sanctions.

The Myanmar Times, a newspaper in the pocket of Burma's junta, is said to have reported last December that the construction firm Max Myanmar has been contracted to build a stadium that Fifa funds will help to pay for. ...

See the complete story here, courtesy of guardian.co.uk.