The following article first appeared in l989 for use by Louisiana referees as an aid to report writing and was compiled from information obtained from the CSA and the FA. It was adapted for the USSF in 1991 and published in the 1st Referee Administrative Handbook

Game Report Writing Procedures

The referee's game report should give a clear, concise account of any match-related incident. Well-presented reports make it easier for a disciplinary committee to determine what happened and arrive at a just decision. The referee is the "eyes and ears" of a disciplinary committee and his/her report must reflect only information related directly to the incident.

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

Referees must submit a report containing details of misconduct relating to:

1. Cautionable offenses
2. Sending off offenses
3. Any other general incident or misconduct [by players after a match has ended, by club officials (including coaches, trainers, etc.) or by spectators]

REPORT CONTENTS AND PREPARATION

The referee begins the report preparation with an accurate tabulation of game information, player identification and the technical classification of any offense(s) which must be reported.

Next, the referee writes a description of the incident being reported:

(i.e.); "John Sweeper of Red Snakes deliberately tripped an opponent. The "incident" is what the player actually did at the time he committed the offense. The effect, result, or the impact of the tripping is clarified by adding one of the following phrases: (a)"thereby denying to that opponent an obvious advantage", or (b)"in an unfair contact that was very late/very high/very rough/crude/provocative/dangerous," or (c)"without any attempt to play the ball."

Then, the referee describes the action (punishment) taken in dealing with the foul and/or misconduct, the time during the match the action was taken, and the reason as related to the offenses listed in Law 12 in the Laws of the Game. " He was cautioned in the 23rd minute for unsporting behavior." Note any other pertinent information about what occurred or didn't occur.

Finally, all elements about the incident would be combined as concisely as possible into the written report. An example of unsporting behavior might be reported as follows: "John Sweeper of Red Snakes deliberately tripped an opponent without any attempt to play the ball. He was cautioned at the 23rd minute for unsporting behavior. There were no further incidents."

Here are report samples for other offenses:

Leaving the field without permission

"Approximately 8 minutes after the start of play, Joe Adonis, #15 of Golden Hairdos left the field of play, apparently to take off his bronze neck-chain. He did so without the permission of the referee. After the ball went out of play over the goal line and was last played by the Hairdos, Mr Adonis was immediately cautioned and shown the yellow card for leaving the field without permission. Play was restarted with a goal kick and there were no further incidents."

Dissent

"In the 37th minute of the game, I penalized player Brad Smith, #23 of the Kickaroos after he had deliberately kicked an opponent. He threw his hands up in disgust at my decision, for which was promptly cautioned and shown the yellow card. Mr. Smith was further advised that if received a further caution, he would be sent off. There were no further incidents."

Persistent Infringement

"During the first half of the game, I had reason to speak with Sandbag Charley, #4 of the Beach Emeralds, after he committed three petty offenses. During the first 15 minutes of the 2nd half, he deliberately held an opponent by grabbing his jersey. I immediately cautioned him for persistent infringement of the Laws of the Game and advised him that he would be sent off in the event of any further misconduct. "

Serious Foul Play

"While Mr. Attacker was dribbling with the ball just outside of the penalty area, Mr. Eye Gottcha recklessly struck him in the mouth with his elbow , for which he was sent off in the 73rd minute for this act of serious foul play. From my position some 10 yards away, I had a clear view of the foul and only my rapid intervention prevented retaliation by his teammates. Mr. Attacker was treated off the field because of a busted lip that was bleeding. Mr. Attacker later returned to the field after his injury had been bandaged. There were no further incidents"

Quick reminders about report writing:

Be accurate - in reporting of an incident - avoid confusing or conflicting statements.

Be brief - Report only the incident leading to the caution or sending off. Information about the state of the playing surface or climatic conditions should be included ONLY if they played a part in the incident described.

Be clear - stick rigidly to a description of the incident, e.g. a kick in the groin, a punch in the face, etc.; it is not for the referee to pass judgment or make a recommendation. The Disciplinary Committee will make a judgment from the information that is provided.

Write legibly in the report and be sure every word is correctly spelled and punctuated. It is often wise to have a more experienced colleague review a report before sending it in to the proper authority.

Be sure to note also:

1. The time at which the incident took place and how long it lasted
2. Whether the incident had any consequences and, if so, of what nature
3. Where the incident took place using a field diagram to establish location, if necessary
4. The position as referee (or assistant referee) and the distance from the incident
5. Whether the ball was in play or not
6. The part of the body that was struck if the player was fouled
7. Whether a player received medical treatment. Do not state any personal medical opinions or diagnoses.

REPORT TERMS AND REFERENCES

A player is CAUTIONED and shown the yellow card if he commits any of the following seven offenses:

• Enters or re-enters the field of play without the referee's permission
• Persistently infringes of the Laws of the Game
• Shows Dissent by word or action
• Unsporting behavior
• Delays the restart of play
• Fails to respect the required distance when play is restarted with a corner kick or free kick
• Deliberately leaves the field of play without the referee's permission.

A player is SENT OFF and shown the red card if he commits any of the following seven offenses:

• Violent Conduct
• Serious Foul Play
• Uses offensive, insulting or abusive language
• Second Cautionable offense in the same match
• Spits at an opponent or any other person
• Denies an opponent a goal or an obvious goal-scoring opportunity by deliberately handling the ball (this does not apply to a goalkeeper within his own penalty area)
• Denies an obvious goal-scoring opportunity to an opponent moving towards the player's goal by an offense punishable by a free kick or a penalty kick

SUMMARY OF REPORT WRITING PROCEDURES

Referee Game Reports must be professional, concise, and yet complete. Supplemental reports should be filed when necessary to provide a complete description of an incident.

1. The game report should include:
   1. The teams (The full and correct names of the competing teams)
   2. The venue and date of the match
   3. The competition
   4. The player's name, jersey number, registration card, team
   5. Reason for report (i.e. serious foul play, dissent, etc.)
   6. Action taken
   7. The incident (i.e. description of what actually happened stating only the facts, with no opinions, and no recommendations)
2. The incident (H) must be:
   1. As you saw it (there is no substitute for the facts)
   2. Brief, but containing enough evidence and information to enable a disciplinary committee to understand what happened. This description would include the reaction, if any, of the player(s) and others.
3. Make certain that your assistant referees have all the above details before leaving the field.
4. Remember that each incident meriting a report must have a separate report; two players who are sent off means two separate reports.
5. Present your report in the most legible manner. If your handwriting is difficult for others to read, then please print it or type it up if at all possible.
6. Please check your spelling! Almost every important word is in the current FIFA law book.
7. The report is filed within forty-eight (48) hours. Make certain you have your name on it. (Your address and phone numbers should be on a separate cover page.) Remember to retain a copy of the report for your future reference.
8. If the report contains the actual foul and abusive language that was used and is being reported, then you should notify the addressee with a precautionary warning on the cover letter or on the outside envelope.
9. The report is sent to:
   1. General Cases of Misconduct - Cautions
      • Local League
   2. Referee Assault & Referee Abuse (League Games)
      • State Presidents or League designee
      • Local League
      • S.R.A.
      • The relevant Police Department (if necessary)
   3. Referee Assault & Referee Abuse (Tournaments/Special Events)
      • Tournament Director/Cup Coordinator (on day of incident)
      • Home state S.R.A. (within 10 days)
      • The relevant Police Department (if necessary)