A&H

Spitting

HoofItYouDonkey

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Level 6 Referee
I did a schools game yesterday and towards the end of the game, while my back was turned, one of the away team spat at one of the home players, it landed on his back. The home team were suitably incensed and I had to break up some handbags.
I didn't see it, I spoke at length to the probable perpetrator, and their manager said that the lad has a lot of issues and probably did.
In this situation, having not seen it, is there anything I can do?
 
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Officially if you haven't seen it then no.

If you know without seeing it which player has done it due to the are around you and you can see it on another player then you could send him off.

Regarding you will normally know by someones reaction if they have been spat at.
 
I did a schools game yesterday and towards the end of the game, while my back was turned, one of the away team spat at one of the home players, it landed on his back. The home team were suitably incensed and I had to break up some handbags.
I didn't see it, I spoke at length to the probable perpetrator, and their manager said that the lad has a lot of issues and probably did.
In this situation, having not seen it, is there anything I can do?

Absolutely nothing.

Unless the action caused a major (extraordinary) incident, in which case you can report it to the FA which by the sounds of it, it didn't, then you just have to let it go. :cool:
 
In this situation, having not seen it, is there anything I can do?

Could always try and get him to admit it.

I was talking to an RDO about this sort of thing, 'missed' situations. He gave me an amusing story of how he missed someone throw a punch and knock a few teeth out. He went up to the injured person and shouted "Whoever did this, come over here." And the guy actually stepped over and got a red for his troubles. :wall::redcard:
 
If you know without seeing it which player has done it due to the are around you and you can see it on another player then you could send him off.

Even then you can't send them off as you're making an educated guess. If they appeal and the FA question you asking if you've seen it, your answer will simply be 'no' and it's all out the window
 
We had this few week ago on another thread.
Its like the punch behind your back, you turn round and guy is floored and you know it was blue 5
Its just tough, you simply cannot referee on the basis of assumption.
If you did, your report would have to read "i am 100% sure he spat on him even though I did not see it"

Good luck with your credibilty after that.
 
We had this few week ago on another thread.
Its like the punch behind your back, you turn round and guy is floored and you know it was blue 5
Its just tough, you simply cannot referee on the basis of assumption.
If you did, your report would have to read "i am 100% sure he spat on him even though I did not see it"

Good luck with your credibilty after that.

I had this happen, punch thrown behind me. I only caught the aftermath. Sorted it out, got penalised by the assessor for not spotting it. Really wasn't happy with that as I don't have eyes in the back of my head.

I didn't report it or anything as I didn't see it obviously.
 
I had this happen, punch thrown behind me. I only caught the aftermath. Sorted it out, got penalised by the assessor for not spotting it. Really wasn't happy with that as I don't have eyes in the back of my head.

I didn't report it or anything as I didn't see it obviously.
I had someone spat on while I was shaking hands at the end of the game. Despite the saliva evidence, I couldn't do anything as I didn't see the 'spat'.
Since then, I'm much more observant after full time and not so focused on seeking handshakes
 
I had this happen, punch thrown behind me. I only caught the aftermath. Sorted it out, got penalised by the assessor for not spotting it. Really wasn't happy with that as I don't have eyes in the back of my head.

I didn't report it or anything as I didn't see it obviously.


Crazy an assessor would say something like that, I can understand something like, "your position could have been better" or "you appeared to be looking right at it", but, if you factually cant see it, you need to get some allowance.
That's not a safety net to not see anything over the 90mins! But a degree of common sense is required.
 
I had someone spat on while I was shaking hands at the end of the game. Despite the saliva evidence, I couldn't do anything as I didn't see the 'spat'.
Since then, I'm much more observant after full time and not so focused on seeking handshakes


Good learning point, for everyone from very top to very bottom. Some folk expect when you blow for full time, that's it, everyone is pals and cant wait to embrace each other and compliment each other on what a great game they played. Its a red light danger time, your game is not yet over, you need to be aware and keep in view as much as you can, as if the game was still in progress. Screw the handshakes, you will get a feel for when that's the appropriate thing to seek out, infuriates me to see elite ref remove the ear piece on the full time whistle, they should remain in full communication with all the other officials until they are safely in their room.
 
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