Rules regarding referees kit/team kit

[pernunz]

A couple of our sides trekked the 70km down to Mount Compass on the weekend. Very good bunch of lads, and the pitch held up remarkably well for all the rain that was had.

We had taken a navy blue kit up there as the away team, and Mount Compass, for their Div 4A side, had (I think) a dark orange kit. The official referee came up and said he was going to call the SAASL to ensure the game could go ahead, not because of the safety concerns of the pitch, but because our navy-blue kit was too similar to the referee's all black kit.

I know there was a huge drama at the beginning of the season, but what was the outcome? Are referee's meant to take 2 shirts?

Heck, if I referee I bring a couple of different coloured shirts to avoid colour clashes, because although it might mean I can't brandish yellow cards from my left breast pocket in a dramatic fashion, it's better for both the playing teams, who are what the game is about, after all.

(He also yellow carded a player of ours for trying to encourage our team mates when the ball went out for a throw. He called out, "Let's f***ing smash them," was nowhere near another player or the referee, and got a yellow card )

[Clever Trevor]

We had taken a navy blue kit up there as the away team, and Mount Compass, for their Div 4A side, had (I think) a dark orange kit.

If you think there will be a problem with colour clashes between teams, ring the club and discuss before the match. As a courtesy you decided to bring a navy kit, leave the colour change to the home team as per the bylaws. Mt Compass kit is maroon and gold.

The official referee came up and said he was going to call the SAASL to ensure the game could go ahead, not because of the safety concerns of the pitch, but because our navy-blue kit was too similar to the referee's all black kit.

The referee should have done his research before the game and it sounds like he only put your team offside by identifying the possible problem. He could have simply called the league to check without telling your team he was doing so, then no one would be the wiser and you wouldn't have had 'this ref is a d!ckhead'' in your mind before the match. Just poor situation management by the official. Some would say he was looking for trouble.

I know there was a huge drama at the beginning of the season, but what was the outcome? Are referee's meant to take 2 shirts?

Referees are only supposed to wear black, but I still see a couple in yellow, even when both team colours would not clash with black. Like half of the other amateur league bylaws, doesn't seem to be enforced properly, so we keep have these problems come up.

(He also yellow carded a player of ours for trying to encourage our team mates when the ball went out for a throw. He called out, "Let's f***ing smash them," was nowhere near another player or the referee, and got a yellow card )

Unsporting behavior. Simple.

The simple answer all of this is: contact the home team you will play to check if they have an alternate kit or what they can do to accommodate your away colours. Most teams are happy to sort out the best option to ensure the game is played. And if you have two kits, take both.

[BlackBrian_7]

We had taken a navy blue kit up there as the away team, and Mount Compass, for their Div 4A side, had (I think) a dark orange kit.

If you think there will be a problem with colour clashes between teams, ring the club and discuss before the match. As a courtesy you decided to bring a navy kit, leave the colour change to the home team as per the bylaws. Mt Compass kit is maroon and gold.

The official referee came up and said he was going to call the SAASL to ensure the game could go ahead, not because of the safety concerns of the pitch, but because our navy-blue kit was too similar to the referee's all black kit.

The referee should have done his research before the game and it sounds like he only put your team offside by identifying the possible problem. He could have simply called the league to check without telling your team he was doing so, then no one would be the wiser and you wouldn't have had 'this ref is a d!ckhead'' in your mind before the match. Just poor situation management by the official. Some would say he was looking for trouble.

I know there was a huge drama at the beginning of the season, but what was the outcome? Are referee's meant to take 2 shirts?

Referees are only supposed to wear black, but I still see a couple in yellow, even when both team colours would not clash with black. Like half of the other amateur league bylaws, doesn't seem to be enforced properly, so we keep have these problems come up.

(He also yellow carded a player of ours for trying to encourage our team mates when the ball went out for a throw. He called out, "Let's f***ing smash them," was nowhere near another player or the referee, and got a yellow card )

Unsporting behavior. Simple.

The simple answer all of this is: contact the home team you will play to check if they have an alternate kit or what they can do to accommodate your away colours. Most teams are happy to sort out the best option to ensure the game is played. And if you have two kits, take both.

Where in the amateur league by-laws does it state that the referees are only supposed to wear black?

[Clever Trevor]

Where in the amateur league by-laws does it state that the referees are only supposed to wear black?

http://saasra.wikispaces.com/file/view/ ... TEMENT.pdf

[BlackBrian_7]

Where in the amateur league by-laws does it state that the referees are only supposed to wear black?

http://saasra.wikispaces.com/file/view/ ... TEMENT.pdf

I don't believe that they are the amateur league by-laws as you stated previously.

[bazCFC4life]

Didn't the SAASL offer to buy yellow/green shirts for the referee's so they wouldn't clash, and the referee's turned it down?

And they wonder why they get so much abuse.

[arsenalfan59]

The black only uniform policy is in place but some clubs have got special dispensation for an extra season this year.
An updated public statement is there and a copy o0f the letter that the SAASL has sent out to all clubs.
http://saasra.wikispaces.com/

There is also a link to a page showing which clubs have dispensation.... the contents of that page are pasted below. So far, 4 clubs have dispensation for this year.

Special Dispensation Measures for 2012

On the 26th March 2012, the South Australian Amateur Soccer Referees Association (SAASRA) released a public statement to inform member clubs of the SA Amateur Soccer League (SAASL) that the black only referee uniform policy announced in March 2010 at the SAASL pre-season meeting of clubs will be implemented in the 2012 SAASL season. The statement went on to explain that the policy reverts to the situation which had been in place for the first 35 years of the SAASL’s history. The statement also mentioned that the second choice yellow shirt will no longer be worn.
The SAASRA will continue to implement its black only uniform policy in this 2012 season. However, events and meetings in recent weeks have provided SAASRA with enough evidence that some clubs were genuinely unaware of this policy change. In light of this, the SAASRA is now prepared to provide special dispensation to select clubs for the 2012 season; including those clubs who through the SAASL, sought and was denied special dispensation at the end of last year. Our members will be directed to wear an alternative yellow shirt in these instances. This special dispensation is for the 2012 season only. It should also be noted that this dispensation to select clubs will not apply for the Cup semi-finals and finals at the end of this season.
The SAASRA is disappointed that the two year time frame proved to be an insufficient period of time for the SAASL to put in place the measures required. To ensure all clubs are aware of the black only referee uniform policy in time for the official start of the 2013 season, the SAASRA has provided the SAASL with a letter to be distributed to all member clubs in the coming weeks.
In closing, SAASRA would also like to remind clubs that are contemplating new designs of predominantly black strips to contact the Secretary to ensure that their new playing strip meets the minimum requirements for avoiding a clash with the referee uniform prior to purchasing their kits.

The following clubs have been granted special dispensation measures for 2012:
Northern Pitbulls
Unley United
Adelaide University
MA Hawks

SAASRA referees can wear an alternative yellow shirt in matches involving the above teams if there is a clash with the official black referee uniform.
Q.What about when a team in yellow plays one of the clubs listed above?
A. Members are reminded that the home team must change shirts (as per SAASL competition rules) if the two teams clash with both the black and the yellow referee uniform.

Page created 13 April, 2012

[BlackBrian_7]

Again that isn't the SAASL by laws as stated but the referees associations own policy.

There is a difference.

[pernunz]

So, if I'm reading correctly from that above statement, then as of next year no club will be able to wear black or navy blue kits because the referee's don't like having an extra coloured top?

Where does that put the clubs that have black/navy blue kits, that have spend hundreds or thousands of dollars on new kits in the last few years?

They say the best games are the ones where you don't notice the referee...

[Clever Trevor]

They say the best games are the ones where you don't notice the referee...

Camo gear

[sephiroth]

welcome to six months ago

[Clever Trevor]

I don't believe that they are the amateur league by-laws as you stated previously.

You're right, I did give that impression, and they are not in there.
(I will however highlight that as Referees shall be appointed to each fixture, I expect that the referee comes under the auspices of the SAASRA and would need to adhere to directions from them. If they are told by SAASRA not to start a match if one team has a black kit = no game = problem for SAASL. I have heard of a situation where a referee was suspended for wearing a colour other than black.)

So, if I'm reading correctly from that above statement, then as of next year no club will be able to wear black or navy blue kits because the referee's don't like having an extra coloured top?

Yes, to put it simply. However, navy blue is not specified as far as I know. I thought you have gold on your navy blue anyway?

Where does that put the clubs that have black/navy blue kits, that have spend hundreds or thousands of dollars on new kits in the last few years?

Clubs were notified in 2009 of this and have had three years to conform. Make four years because of what has happened this year.
How often do teams/clubs get a new set of kits? Clubs with kits pre-2009 may be due for a new ones and hence, should not chose black. Adelaide Uni for example, I have also seen in green, red, grey, white and orange in the past two years, but they as well as Hawks seemingly don't want to change from black (which is their history). Northern Pitbulls, on the other hand, clearly did not research the memo before they joined the league this year.

[Retief]

i think they should wear pink . That way there is unlikely to be a clash with any team

[God is an Englishman]

How many times do we have to go through all of this?

Referees as of 2012 will only wear black (except for a few designated clubs which will have an extra season to change.)

You cannot wear a kit that clashes with the opposition or referee. SIMPLE!!

SAASRA controls the referees, the laws state you cna't clash with the ref, so if they decide they're only wearing black then you can't wear black. SIMPLE!

It's seems people at some clubs don't learn.

As for this iggies situation. I questioned a few years back why they would change away from the the kit as per the handbook in all away matches without consultation with the opposition club. This is not the first time that they've nearly had a game called off because of non compliance to these simple instructions.

Teams base their kits on the handbooks, so keep it simple and stick to that. If you are going to change consult the opposition.

As for the comment about pernunz the referee taking a couple of tops, you should be wearing the bib as provided by SAASL if you are in your role as a club ref.

[Karmann Ghia]

On the weekend we had the ref tell our player to take off his black skins which were under black shorts????

The linesmen said it was OK but he wasnt in charge!!!!

[God is an Englishman]

On the weekend we had the ref tell our player to take off his black skins which were under black shorts????

The linesmen said it was OK but he wasnt in charge!!!!

That makes no sense at all, what was the reasoning behind that one?

[pernunz]

As for the comment about pernunz the referee taking a couple of tops, you should be wearing the bib as provided by SAASL if you are in your role as a club ref.

The last match I refereed I was wearing the flourescent yellow bib. The opposition complained that I looked too much like them (yellow). I could have followed the rules and said that competition rules state that I must wear the bib, however, I used common sense and chucked on a black top so there was no confusion.

The players and the game are more important than what I, or any referee, wears.

[bapa]

How many times do we have to go through all of this?

Referees as of 2012 will only wear black (except for a few designated clubs which will have an extra season to change.)

You cannot wear a kit that clashes with the opposition or referee. SIMPLE!!

SAASRA controls the referees, the laws state you cna't clash with the ref, so if they decide they're only wearing black then you can't wear black. SIMPLE!

It's seems people at some clubs don't learn.

As for this iggies situation. I questioned a few years back why they would change away from the the kit as per the handbook in all away matches without consultation with the opposition club. This is not the first time that they've nearly had a game called off because of non compliance to these simple instructions.

Teams base their kits on the handbooks, so keep it simple and stick to that. If you are going to change consult the opposition.

As for the comment about pernunz the referee taking a couple of tops, you should be wearing the bib as provided by SAASL if you are in your role as a club ref.

this!

[God is an Englishman]

As for the comment about pernunz the referee taking a couple of tops, you should be wearing the bib as provided by SAASL if you are in your role as a club ref.

The last match I refereed I was wearing the flourescent yellow bib. The opposition complained that I looked too much like them (yellow). I could have followed the rules and said that competition rules state that I must wear the bib, however, I used common sense and chucked on a black top so there was no confusion.

The players and the game are more important than what I, or any referee, wears.

I thought the bib was orange, I've never worn it anyway.

[Chade]

The players and the game are more important than what I, or any referee, wears.

I would have thought for all the whingeing, pedantry and trolling, that this is what is actually the most important thing...

[jonnomath]

The players and the game are more important than what I, or any referee, wears.

I would have thought for all the whingeing, pedantry and trolling, that this is what is actually the most important thing...

Agreed... A shame the Saarsa can't see that!!M

[God is an Englishman]

The players and the game are more important than what I, or any referee, wears.

I would have thought for all the whingeing, pedantry and trolling, that this is what is actually the most important thing...

Agreed... A shame the Saarsa can't see that!!M

I think SAASRA have made it simple and clear for all concerned and should be congratulated for that approach.

[Chade]

I would have thought for all the whingeing, pedantry and trolling, that this is what is actually the most important thing...

Agreed... A shame the Saarsa can't see that!!M

I think SAASRA have made it simple and clear for all concerned and should be congratulated for that approach.

For an inflexible, non-negotiable approach? Yeah, because that's always a great idea. Not everything is about how football was back in the day. It's not even about clichés like moving with the times.

[jonnomath]

]I would have thought for all the whingeing, pedantry and trolling, that this is what is actually the most important thing...

Agreed... A shame the Saarsa can't see that!!M

I think SAASRA have made it simple and clear for all concerned and should be congratulated for that approach.

For an inflexible, non-negotiable approach? Yeah, because that's always a great idea. Not everything is about how football was back in the day. It's not even about clichés like moving with the times.

Exactly... And right minded ref association would not put its own want and desires ahead of the clubs in which it is officiating... Unless maybe there was a safety aspect involved... seriously to force clubs to change their colors is the stupidest thing I have ever heard of!!

[DOC]

On the weekend we had the ref tell our player to take off his black skins which were under black shorts????

The linesmen said it was OK but he wasnt in charge!!!!

I think this was because it was full leg skins, and plus the ref wore all black and saw no issue with the pontian yellow and black stripes, this is how it should be, let the game be played

[God is an Englishman]

For an inflexible, non-negotiable approach? Yeah, because that's always a great idea. Not everything is about how football was back in the day. It's not even about clichés like moving with the times.

It's the most sensible thing out there. Everyone knows where they stand, you don't have the issue of there being any clashes as there were when they have yellow and black tops. Seriously, are we going to make them take 7 tops to every game to ensure they don't clash.

Simple approach, refs will wear black. SIMPLE, EASY!!!

Black tops for amateur referees seems to work perfectly well in every other country in the world, but oh no the wanabees from south australia want to be like the pros and have refs in coloured shirts

[God is an Englishman]

On the weekend we had the ref tell our player to take off his black skins which were under black shorts????

The linesmen said it was OK but he wasnt in charge!!!!

I think this was because it was full leg skins, and plus the ref wore all black and saw no issue with the pontian yellow and black stripes, this is how it should be, let the game be played

full length skins are now allowed, as long as they are the same colour as the shorts.

[Hawkesy's Solicitor]

Must have been a different shade of black.

[Clever Trevor]

If someone threw enough money at SAASRA for on shirt sponsorship, they would go with whatever colour the person paying the money wants. Someone on here suggested pink?

[Rob Lozza]

There is ONLY one reason the SAASRA is mandating an all black kit for their officials and they will never admit it but it is money. Nothing else. Some of their members are too tight to invest in an additional shirt or two. it is ridiculous they cannot continue with a black plus at least one alternatively coloured shirt. In my opinion, they should carry black plus two and it appeared to be heading this way when I was a member but the idea got bounced. Hawkesy, I agree with most of your views on this forum but not this on this topic mate.