Coaches’ Self-Initiated Complaints About Referees in Ice Hockey Postgame Press Conferences

Abstract

The formulation and management of coaches’ dissent with referees in a setting where complaints may be sanctioned presents an empirical test for the “dilemma of stake.” This article analyzes how ice hockey coaches raise complaints against referees in postgame press conferences (PGPCs). Based on the conversation analytic study of video recordings from Finnish and Swedish men’s (semi)professional ice hockey leagues, this article posits that complaints are formulated within assessment sequences and are made hearable as complaints through implicit and explicit verbal and bodily cues. This article also suggests that while referees are the non-present third party in the PGPC, the design of the complaints provides opportunities and places obligations on the participants present in the PGPC (media representatives, game officials, and the opposing coach) to (dis)align with the complainer. Finally, this article reveals a tension between the normative expectations of the coaches to stand by their team, which may include criticizing referees, while respecting referees as guardians of sporting ethics and acknowledging the increased demands for media attention.

“It Was My Story to Tell and I Wasn’t Ready to Tell It”: Stigma Management Amongst LGBTQ+ Sport Officials

“…Magrath (2018) placed homophobic songs and chants into three categories, the last of which was identified as the vilification of match officials and the opponents because they were against their team. Given the stigmatization of sports officials and the abuse they receive during competitions (Webb & Hill, 2020), after competitions (File, 2017; Pehkonen, 2021), in the mass media (Borel-Hänni, 2015; Webb, 2018), and in social media (Wells, 2019), it is perhaps no wonder that referees are leaving the profession at alarming rates. Recruitment of new referees has done little to turn this tide (Jacobs et al, 2020; Pappas, 2016); sport organizations are facing officiating shortages that impact the quality and quantity of games being offered.…”