IT`S WISE TO KEEP YOUR DISTANCE FROM SPECTATORS

Manny Reynoso
Ex International Referee (USA)

Throughout the history of officiating, referees have been warned against interaction with fans while officiating. Wise advice indeed. And wise advice gets to be that way by being borne of the cruel lessons of experience.

Still, for whatever reason, there are far too many reports of officials at all levels engaging spectators in conversation, answering spectator barbs and becoming involved in verbal jousting and physical quarrels with fans under circumstances that can only lead to undesirable outcomes. Legal complications from speaking with spectators can cause costly and embarrassing consequences.

Here are some reasons not to address spectators:

1. When you answer to the barbs of a spectator, or if you start interaction, you raise the onlooker to a peer status. Not only is that demeaning to you and your crew, it is what the heckler wants. Don`t pay attention to fans who flex their vocal chords, the hecklers` efforts are unsuccessful.

2. Dialogue with spectators violates all known officials` codes of mechanics and ethics. Ignore all comments from fans, and focus in your duties.

3. Should the discussion escalate into anger, you will place yourself and those around you in danger.

4. It`s very unintelligent for an official to think he or she is accountable to an individual whose only qualification for being in the venue is the purchasing of a $3 ticket.

So, the best you can do is to call the game and get out of there!!!