Date:         Thu, 12 Oct 2000 08:17:51 EDT
Reply-To:     Discussion of Topics for Soccer Referees <[log in to unmask]>
Sender:       Discussion of Topics for Soccer Referees <[log in to unmask]>
From:         [log in to unmask]
Subject:      Re: Police - higher authority than the CR?
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In a message dated 10/12/2000 2:12:08 AM Eastern Daylight Time,
[log in to unmask] writes:

<<
 I tried to restart the game but the white coach pulled his players off
 the field and did not want to continue the game. I informed the other
 coach. The teams went thru a civil handshake and this bizarre game was
 terminated.

 There are a few questions I would like to put to the list.  The main
 question for now is whether police has the authority to interfere with a
 sporting event in the manner stated above. If not, how should I have
 handled this incident? I know in hindsight I should have tried to
 convince them, maybe even recruiting the coaches for this purpose, to
 wait until the game was over, etc. However, I am not sure if they (the
 police) were interested in waiting.
  >>

Well, this truly IS bizarre!  Generally, the police take the attitude that
sporting events are under the control of the sport officials and will not
interfere.  I can't imagine these guys were acting on any authority other
than their own.

That being said, you certainly don't have any choice but to comply with
lawful orders of the police, and asking to speak to a person is probably a
lawful order on the face of it.  There may be later ramifications, but I
don't think they are yours to deal with...if it was my league, I might have
more than a few words with the police department and mayor!  If it was my
kid, I know a couple of lawyers....!

At the Ohio North State Cup last spring, we had the police on the property
twice during the weekend.  They refused to tell either Ohio North or us (the
property owners) what they were doing, other than looking for a certain
child.  The second time, we told them it was private property and either
produce a warrant or leave.  They left.  I personally think it was some sort
of custody issue...maybe a mom or dad who was supposed to have the kid for
the weekend and didn't because he/she was taken by the other parent to the
State Cup games.  But I don't know that for sure as nothing more ever came of
it.

Regards
Jim MacQueen
Akron, OH