Quote:
Originally posted by Ref in PA
throw anybody out - if it is that important of a game? Just overlook the fights, call a common foul and go on.
I disagree with our State directors who made the decision. As I said earlier, I think my job could be harder next year because of the precedence set at that championship game. It upsets me to think they did not have the courage to follow the rules. As a referee in Pennsylvania, I almost feel betrayed. Nothing violates the integrity of the game more than ignoring blatantly the rules.
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So you would prefer that they end the championship game right there? Everyone seems to think that this would be continued 4 v 5, but all fighters go, so all players would be out at that time and the game would be over. And you have just decided your state championship with only two minutes of the game having been played (this is when the fight occurred - 6 minute mark of 1st quarter).
I am certain the state will address this before next season, and hopefully they will make it clear whether or not they consider this a precedent for games from here forward. And if you have a concern about this being a precedent, you and your association should contact the state HS association and let them know your concern and what you would like them to do to address it before the next season. You speak as though no punishment was being handed out - that is not at all clear. I think that some pretty smart people said we don't want to end on this note (the brawl is bad enough), lets finish the game if we can and deal with repercussions later.
I say that you should wait to judge this until after final penalties are handed down. It may well be that the penalties here will exceed those of merely ending a game early, sending a clear message that this type of conduct will not be tolerated.