Editor’s Note: After publishing “Before They Walk Away – Youth Referees,” I reached out to my friend Dr. Joe Machnik, a man who has dedicated his lifetime to serving the game as a referee, coach, broadcaster, and mentor. I asked if he might share a few reflections on the growing challenges referees face, especially at the youth level.
Joe responded with the following. What he offered was more than a few thoughts; it was a thoughtful, wise, and deeply informed look at the current state of officiating. With his permission, I’m honored to share it with you now.
Please read it. Share it. And most importantly, Take It to Heart.
Koach Karl
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“Karl: Great article, and summary of the issues surrounding the disenchantment that young referees experience when abused from the sidelines by coaches, parents, and even casual spectators…
🔍 Even at the Highest Levels, It’s Extremely Difficult.
What VAR has shown us 🔍 is that the game is not only fast and complex but filled with judgment calls. Referees at the top must review their own decisions for “clear and obvious errors,” and yet, instead of creating empathy for those officiating at the grassroots level, this technology has empowered more criticism, especially from the sidelines.
In many youth matches, referees aren’t connected by headset, so even when there is a full crew, assistants can’t verbally support the center referee. And that’s if you’re lucky enough to have three officials at all.
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😠 The Grassroots Are Feeling the Heat
This is part of the disenchantment many young referees experience:
- Often abused by coaches, parents, and even casual spectators
- Often left to officiate alone, especially at youth levels
Worse, I hear more and more about matches without any official at all. That’s where we are. It’s getting harder and harder to find people, especially young people, willing to step into that role.
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📆 No Winners When Respect is Lost
Let’s be honest:
- When does the losing team ever feel like they got a fair shake?
- One team might say “Thanks, Ref,” while the other disappears
- Rarely do both teams applaud the referee at the end of the game
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Even Money Couldn’t Convince Them
When I was at MLS, we created a fast-track program for former players:
- $50,000 salary
- Two years of training under U.S. Soccer
- Not. One. Player. Signed. Up.
That should tell you something.
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⚠️ A Culture That Trickles Down
Toxicity at the pro level trickles into youth soccer. Combine that with the Laws of the Game, in some respects, don’t help:
- Sending off a player and forcing the team to play the rest of the game with a player down is a very harsh penalty!
- No similar rule exists in other sports
As a result, some referees are hesitant to deal properly with dissent or misconduct. _________________________________________________________________________________________________
🔍 What’s Working Well
There are signs of hope:
- I like the “Only the Captain Can Talk to the Referee” initiative; it models respect and structure.
- I also appreciate that referees now receive their awards on the same stage as players during international tournaments.
It sets a tone of equality and recognition that should exist at every level of the game.
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🔍 One interesting point came up in Karl’s original article:
- Even in games where the score doesn’t matter, referees still face criticism.
- This highlights how deeply ingrained the culture of judgment is in youth sports.
It’s understandably difficult to get traditionalists on board with kids playing soccer for fun.
I still remember:
- Once upon a time, we faced similar resistance with small-sided games,
- And over time, we won them over, because it was the right thing for the kids.
- Editor’s Note: And the right thing for the kids starting in 2025 is Quad-Goal Soccer.
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🧑⚖️ Why Not Referee of the Day?
If we want to value referees, let’s celebrate them:
- “Referee of the Year.” Great.
- But how about “Referee of the Week” or even “of the Day”?
Recognition doesn’t have to be grand; it just has to be consistent.
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🙏 Final Whistle: Gratitude and Support
Let’s protect our referees. Let’s thank them. Let’s show young officials that this is a role of value and honor.
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Because without referees, there is no game.
