Tourette's

[Trip]

I'm asking this in my capacity as a referee secretary rather than as a referee.

We have a GK in one of our teams who has Tourette's syndrome and it makes him very sweary. This came to light after a match played while a children's event was happening at the ground. The home club complained and the away team explained.

If I were refereeing this player I would want to be told about this because it would obviously affect how I deal with him. It's a medical condition and I would be sensitive to that (up to a point).

However, can I inform my referees without his consent? I'm guessing probably not.

 

[RefereeX]

I wouldn't advise them without consent, however I would have a chat with the player or club in question to see if consent can be obtained and advise them that it is in their interest. It's a difficult one, as we can't allow someone to have free reign to say whatever they want because they have tourettes, however as you say, we can do our best to be sensitive to the fact it's an actual condition, not just the player being an ars*hole

 

[JamesL]

I'm asking this in my capacity as a referee secretary rather than as a referee.

We have a GK in one of our teams who has Tourette's syndrome and it makes him very sweary. This came to light after a match played while a children's event was happening at the ground. The home club complained and the away team explained.

If I were refereeing this player I would want to be told about this because it would obviously affect how I deal with him. It's a medical condition and I would be sensitive to that (up to a point).

However, can I inform my referees without his consent? I'm guessing probably not.

No. His Tourette's syndrome is special category data so you would absolutely need his/their parent/guardians (age depending) consent.

I think it you didn't mention his name or club you may be able to send out some general advice on dealing with the situation/condition.

 

[one]

It was used an excuse (after the event) for U18 player I sent off many years ago. I informed them I will include it in my report (which I did) but there is nothing I can do now. I also provided them with the ref sec email address and offered the advice as post #2. As far as I know no emails were sent to the ref sec (I was in the committee at the time).

So yes, there are genuine considerations to be made for medical conditions but we also need to be wary of the idiots who make it hard for us and those with the condition by taking advantage of it.