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Report Writing

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Introduction

  • The purpose of this presentation is to assist Referees in writing reports that will later be used by leagues and authoritative bodies as they administer actions including discipline, fines, and suspensions.

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Game Sheets

  • The collection and inspection of game sheets is the critical first step in proper reporting.
  • Game sheets must be submitted along with any other reports. Even if the game is cancelled, the game sheets must be submitted.
  • A Referee cannot complete reports accurately without first obtaining game sheets prior to the start of play.

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Law 5: Your Duty to Report

  • The Referee acts as timekeeper, keeps a record of the match and provides the appropriate authorities with a match report.

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  • This includes information on disciplinary action and any other incidents that occurred before, during or after the match.

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Ontario Soccer Policy

  1. Misconduct must be reported in writing
  2. Reports must be written in English
  3. Must include all details of the incident
  4. Once submitted, a report cannot be withdrawn
  5. Must be reported within time limits specified

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Note: Incomplete or inaccurate reports could result in the Match Official being asked to attend a Hearing to clarify.

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Types of Reports

Report type

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  1. Caution Report
  2. Dismissal Report
  3. Special Incident form
  4. Match Official Assault Pre-report

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www.ontariosoccer.net/match-official-forms

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Activity: Match the Incident to the Report Type

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  1. Yellow card issued to #12 of the blue team

2. Serious player injury, cannot be moved, ambulance attending

3. Coach ejected for threats towards your AR1

4. 2nd yellow card shown to #16 of the green team

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Report Guidelines

Type or print reports – do not use cursive writing

If writing, use BLACK ink, not light colors or pencils

List incident facts in chronological order

First-hand account of the FACTS only – no opinions

Use Laws of the Game - Soccer language

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Report Guidelines

Incident description MUST match the Offence selected

Does your report ‘paint’ a picture for the reader?

Proofread your report and spellcheck - 2x

Serious incidents - have your report reviewed by another Match Official.

Keep or store a copy of the report, your game notes and the team game sheets for serious incidents as you may be requested to attend a Hearing

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Caution Report

  • Simple ‘fill in the blanks’
  • Top section matches Game Sheets accurately
  • Team & Player name also Jersey & OS # match Game Sheets exactly as written
  • Match Caution code to offence type accurately
  • Do not use for 2nd Caution to the same player

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Incorrectly identified Players may have the Caution removed from their record

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Report Description

Reports requiring detailed incident descriptions include:

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Dismissal Reports

Special Incident Report

Match Official Assault

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  • Only tell the facts! Firsthand account only.
  • Be accurate, brief, and clear.
  • What happened first, second, & third? Put all events in chronological order.
  • Did you abandon the game?

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The 5 W’s

Who

Identify which players or people were involved, who is the aggressor and who is the Victim.

When

At what exact time in the game did the incident occur, incl. before or after game.

Where

Where on the field did the incident occur? (on or off the field of play)

What

What happened? Be detailed and do not leave anything out.

Why

Explain why the incident occurred. Only answer if you know exactly why, do not guess and leave out your opinion.

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Dismissal Report

  • Top section matches Game Sheets accurately
  • Team & Player name also Jersey & OS # match Game Sheets exactly as written
  • Match Dismissal code to offence description
  • Requires clear concise incident description

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If, code for serious foul play used, include those exact words in your description.

Same for other offence codes.

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Dismissal Report Exercise

Complete the Incident Description

At the ___ minute of play, player number 12 of the blue team challenged number 24 of the green team for the ball in the _____________ area of the field. The challenge was made using ___________ with a straight leg, ________ at the opponent from the ____ and making contact with the ________on the opponent’s knee. Play was _______ and after the injured player received treatment, number __ of the blue team was shown the ____ card and dismissed for ____________. He left the field of play without incident.

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34th

whistle

side

continuing

fairly

yellow

Studs first

Excessive force

Ball first

Recklessly

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north

lunging

red

Serious foul play

stopped

foot

Violent conduct

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Dismissal Report Exercise

Complete the Incident Description example

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At the 34 minute of play, player number 12 of the blue team challenged number 24 of the green team for the ball in the north area of the field. The challenge was made using Excessive force with a straight leg, Lunging at the opponent from the Side and making contact with the Studs First on the opponent’s knee. Play was Stopped and after the injured player received treatment, number 12 of the blue team was shown the RED card and dismissed for Serious Foul Play. He left the field of play without incident.

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34th

whistle

side

continuing

fairly

yellow

Studs first

Excessive force

Ball first

Recklessly

12

north

lunging

red

Serious foul play

stopped

foot

Violent conduct

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Dismissal Report

Watch Video Clip and then write the Dismissal report Incident description

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Dismissal Report

Complete the Incident Description

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At the _____ minute of play, player number ____ of _____ (blue team) challenged number _____ of the ____ team, after the ball had been played. The challenge was _________with contact being made knocking #22 to ground. Play was stopped and number _____of the Blue team was shown the ________ card for _________________.

This was his _______caution in the game and he was also shown the ______ card and __________. He left the field of play without incident.

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Dismissal Report

Complete the Incident Description

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At the _____ minute of play, player number ____ of _____ (blue team) challenged number _____ of the ____ team, after the ball had been played. The challenge was _________with contact being made knocking #22 to ground. Play was stopped and number _____of the Blue team was shown the ________ card for _________________.

This was his _______caution in the game and he was also shown the ______ card and __________. He left the field of play without incident.

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Special Incident Report

Game Cancelled at the field

    • Unplayable field conditions,
    • safety issues, no lights,

Unusual event/lengthy stoppage time

    • Serious player injury on field,
    • lights go out but repaired

Game abandonment

    • Severe weather
    • mass confrontation of players

Ejection of Team officials

    • Coaches ejected for misconduct or inappropriate behaviour

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Team officials misconduct

    • Misconduct of Team benches towards each other after the game

Player or team misconduct, where no sanctions issued

    • Players or mass team misconduct after the game in the parking lot

Spectator misconduct

    • Spectator interference,
    • misconduct or inappropriate behaviour

Serious Venue issues that need to be addressed

    • Spectator stands too close to touchline,
    • inappropriate advertising display

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Assault Report

  • Match Official Assault is "deliberate physical contact (i.e., pushing, pulling, charging, etc.) or attempted physical contact or threatening“ and/or for "striking, spitting, kicking, or any form of violent conduct, or attempted violent conduct”.

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The mere attempt by individuals (Players Coaches, Spectators) to make physical contact, threatening physical contact or the attempt to commit violent conduct is Match Official Assault.

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Assault Reports

Step 1 – Report the Incident using the Assault Pre-Report Notification form to: League, District, DRC and Ontario Soccer.

  • Keep copies of the game sheets and your game notes
  • Contact your DRC and/or contact a Assault Report checker
  • Make your own notes in preparation for the Assault report form.

Correctly identify Individuals from Game sheets, be precise!

If, spectators – describe features and Team affiliation

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Assault Reports

Step 2 – Complete the Referee Assault form – do not submit yet to the League or District.

  • After contacting your DRC, send the DRAFT report to the assigned ‘checker’.
  • Once description and facts are ‘checked’, then submit to the League and District.
  • Keep copies of everything.

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Hearing

You need to be prepared to attend a Referee Assault hearing that will be conducted by a Discipline Panel.

They will contact you either by mail, e-mail or telephone. Attendance is mandatory, if you are not able to attend on the specified Date and Time, notify the Discipline Committee ASAP. 

Once notice is received, immediately contact the District Referee Coordinator. If, your ARs can act as witnesses, they need to be contacted to attend.

Important note: Bring copies of everything with you to the Hearing.

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Hearing

At the Hearing, you are not on trial. Be confident! Be prepared to answer questions with direct clear comments, refer to your Reports. Do not change your story. You tell your story exactly as it happened, and let the Discipline Panel decide.

Always bring an Advisor with you to the hearing. The Advisor can be another adult referee with experience at attending Hearings.  Ask your DRC for an Advisor’s contact information, if not provided contact Ontario Soccer.

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Thank you

Questions?