The Need for a More Robust Legal Framework to Curb the Rise in Violence against Game Officials

Authors: A. Roomy

Abstract:

The dramatic rise in violence against game officials has affected all levels of sports including recreational, amateur, and professional sports. One way to combat this rise in violence is through the creation of laws specifically aimed at preventing and punishing this kind of violence. This paper will use related legal cases as a starting point to explore possible ways of better protecting the safety of game officials. It will do this by looking at relevant cases, related legal issues, and two specific ways of reducing violence against game officials. In closing, it will be argued that there needs to be a more robust legal approach with emphasis on criminal and civil penalties for assault and battery, and a more comprehensive social approach with emphasis on raising social awareness on the need to protect game officials from violence.

Keywords: Violence, game officials, legal issues, protection.

Digital Object Identifier (DOI): doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.1128841

References:

[1] E. McKirdy, “Argentine Referee Shot, Killed by Dismissed Footballer”, CNN. Available from http://edition.cnn.com/2016/02/16/football/argentina-referee-shot-by-player/. (Accessed August 24, 2016)
[2] M. Krug, ‘Soccer Violence: Referees under siege’, CNN. Available from http://edition.cnn.com/2013/03/14/sport/football/referee-violence-spain-football. (Accessed August 24, 2016)
[3] R.T. Jewell, A. Moti, and D. Coates, “A Brief History of Violence and Aggression in Spectator Sports” in R.T. Jewell (ed.), Violence and Aggression in Sporting Contests: Economics, History and Policy. New York, NY, Springer Publishing Company, 2011, p. 17.
[4] A. D. Pellegrini, and P. K. Smith, “Physical Activity Play: The Nature of Function of a Neglected Aspect of Play”. Child Development, 69, 1998.
[5] M. P. Lombardo, “On the Evolution of Sport”, in Evolutionary Psychology, Volume 10(1). 2012.
[6] D. D. McLean and A. R. Hurd, “Recreation and Leisure in Modern Society”, Burlington, MA, Jones and Barlett Learning, 2015.
[7] H.W. Pleket, “The Olympic Games in antiquity”, in European Review, 12(3), 2004.
[8] Anon, “Ancient Rome’ in Ancient Civilizations”, UShistory.org. Available from http://www.ushistory.org/civ/6e.asp. (Accessed January 31, 2017)
[9] J. Grout, “The Nika Riot” in Encyclopaeida Romana, SPQR. Available from http://penelope.uchicago. (Accessed January 31, 2017)
[10] J. S. Watterson, “College Football: History, Spectacle, Controversy”, Baltimore, MA, the John Hopkins University Press, 2000.
[11] R. B. Horrow, “Violence in Professional Sports: Is It Part of the Game”, Journal of Legislation, Vol. 9, Iss. 1, Article 1, 1982. pp. 1-13.
[12] B. C. Nielsen, “Controlling Sports Violence: Too Late for the Carrots-Bring on the Big Stick”, 74 Iowa Legal Revue. 681, 712 (1989), p. 684-693.
[13] J. Yates, and W. Gillespie, “The Problem of Sports Violence and the Criminal Prosecution Solution”, Cornell Journal of Law and Public Policy 12, 2002, pp. 146 – 151.
[14] J. Bryant, P. W. Comisky, and D. Zillman, “The Appeal of Rough-and-Tumble Play in Televised Football”, Communication Quarterly, 29, 1981.
[15] F. Butterfield, “Man Convicted in Fatal Beating in Dispute at Son’s Hockey Game”, The New York Times. Available from http://www.nytimes.com/2002/01/12/us/man-convicted-in-fatal-beating-in-dispute-at-son-s-hockey-game.html. (Accessed January 31, 2017.
[16] Anon, “The NFL’s ‘Concussion’ Problem”, The MMQB. Available from http://mmqb.si.com/mmqb/2015/12/23/nfl-reaction-concussion-movie-will-smith-bennet-omalu#. (Accessed January 31, 2017)
[17] D. Bowater, “Brazilian Referee Beheaded and Quartered after Stabbing Player He Sent Off”, The Telegraph. Available from http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/southamerica/brazil/10165304/Brazilian-referee-beheaded-and-quartered-after-stabbing-player-he-sent-off.html. (Accessed January 31, 2017)
[18] M. Krug, ‘Soccer Violence: Referees under siege’, CNN. Available from http://edition.cnn.com/2013/03/14/sport/football/referee-violence-spain-football/. (Accessed January 31, 2017)
[19] Z. Slater, “Michigan Man Charged in Punching Death of Soccer Referee”, CNN. Available from http://edition.cnn.com/2014/07/01/justice/michigan-soccer-death/. (Accessed August 24, 2016)
[20] N. Warikoo, “Soccer Player Gets 8 to 15 Years at Emotional Sentencing in Referee Death”, Detroit Free Press. Available from http://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/wayne/2015/03/13/soccer-referee-sentencing/70258968/. (Accessed August 24, 2016)
[21] K. Gray, “Bills Protecting Sports Refs Moving to Michigan State”, Detroit Free Press. Available from http://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/2015/03/03/referee-assault-bill-passes-michigan-senate-committee/24329529/. (Accessed January 31, 2017)
[22] T. Bristow, “Referee dies after being Punched by Player during Amateur Mexican League Match”, The Mirror. Available from http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/referee-dies-after-being-punched-9242688. (Accessed January 31, 2017)
[23] J. Lawless, Referee Dies After Being Head-Butted by Player in Mexico”, TheSportbible. Available from http://www.thesportbible.com/football/news-referee-dies-after-being-head-butted-by-player-in-mexico-20161111. (Accessed January 31, 2017)
[24] C. Grieb, “High School Referee Attack among Many Frightening, Sometimes Fatal, Incidents Targeting Officials”, SportingNews. Available from http://www.sportingnews.com/other-sports/news/san-antonio-high-school-john-jay-referee-attack-robert-watts-officials-violence-attacks-amateur-sports/8q8fzps8932t1k8untpdbr1di. (Accessed August 26, 2016).
[25] J.C. Peterson and J. M. Padilla, “Athlete Suspensions and Game Forfeiture” in Journal of Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance, Vol 80, No. 4, 2009, pp. 6-8.
[26] K. L. S. Bochicchio, ‘The Legal System’ in D. J. Cotton and J. T. Wolohan et al, Eds., Law for Recreation and Sports Managers, 6th Ed., Dubuque, IA, Kendall Hunt Publishing Company, 2013.
[27] C. Hamakawa, ‘Intentional Tort Applications: Assault and Battery’ in D. J. Cotton and J. T. Wolohan et al, Eds., Law for Recreation and Sports Managers, 6th Ed., Dubuque, IA, Kendall Hunt Publishing Company, 2013, p. 217.
[28] Anon, ‘Respect Research Project: 2008-2009 Season’, Center for Youth Sport and Athletic Welfare, Uxbridge, London: Brunel University Press, 2009.
[29] G. Tenebaum, E. Stewart, R. N. Singer, and J. Duda, “Aggression and Violence in Sport: The Journal of Sports Medicine and Physical Fitness, 1197, June, 37(2), pp. 146-50.