Dissent
U.S. Soccer Federation Referee Program
Grade 7 Referee Course
Amateur Adult Training
Dissent
o Undermines authority
o Reduces game flow
o Reduces enjoyment for players and
spectators
o Can escalate or spread if not dealt with
Management
o Dissent
o Various forms
o Varying degrees
o Practical and flexible approach
o Temporary or emotional reactions
o Public or private warning
o Card or no card
Management - PPP
o Public
o Volume and visibility
o Personal
o Directed toward officials
o Provocative
o Zero tolerance policy for racial or discriminatory
remarks
Management
Captains
Send Offs
Review Question
o If not dealt with by the referee, dissent can do
which of the following?
o Undermine the authority of the referee
o Negatively impact game flow
o Lead to game disrepute or mass confrontation
o All of the above
Review Question
o What factors should the referee consider
when dealing with dissent?
o Loud, personal, offensive
o Public, targeted, provocative
o Public, personal, provocative
o Offensive, inflammatory, detailed
Review Question
o Is using presence and personality a way for
referees to set the tone early in the match
when managing dissent?
o Yes
o No
Review Question
o Which should the referee do to effectively
manage dissent?
o Completely ignore the first signs of dissent
until it becomes a major problem
o Be proactive and take action early in the
game to put a stop to dissent before it leads
to bigger problems