it shouldn't be done by soccer refs either...We don't police the leagues. Its not our decision who plays and who doesn't play. We enforce the rules as written in the rule book....We don't do it now and everyone assumes that all the kids playing are in that grade correct?? When are the coaches responsible and liable. Not a refs job.. its a coaches job and if he allows someone to cheat then he should be held accountable. Just like the refs should not administer any first aid to a hurt player. You are just looking to place blame on someone and that blame belongs on the coach if found to be cheating.
This post is a mess. The responsibilities of a referee are determined by those who govern the league/tournament, ect. Individual refs don't determine what they are. You say that you "enforce the rules as written in the rule book." Well, if the rule book says that you are to check the IDs of each player, than that is what you will be doing. At present, you don't due this. People are simply advocating that the rules be written so that you do. And yes, at present, you do decide who plays and who doesn't, to the extent that if a player commits misconduct sufficient to warrant disqualification, you are deciding that he doesn't play. Coaches will be held accountable if found cheating - but guess what, who determines IF they are cheating? If not the referee, than whom? At its core, the purpose of a referee if to stop people from cheating; to enforce the rules. That is their mission. Taking one second per player to ensure that the player is eligible for that game fits squarely within this mission.
