The referee's ability to maintain composure in the face of dissent from a player is magnified when he becomes the focus of dissent and challenge from several players simultaneously.  For the purpose of this guidance, a "mass confrontation" is defined as the concerted actions of three or more players from the same team who are disputing a decision while surrounding the referee or hindering or forcing movement by the referee.  Such situations bring the game into disrepute, are inherently intimidating, and create a strongly negative public image.
 
The Laws of the Game provide adequate tools to deal with dissent on an individual level, but mass confrontations add a dangerous element calling for special measures involving all members of the officiating team.  Instances of mass confrontation are significant events that transcend the sum of the individual acts of misconduct which the referee must handle.