Each season Region 42 has witnessed incidents where coaches and/or spectators questioned the calls of referees, requiring referees to stop matches to deal with the situation. There have also unfortunately been incidents where after a game has ended, coaches and/or spectators confront referees or other volunteers over decisions made during the game. This is not acceptable and we must remind everyone that Region 42 has a long standing, zero-tolerance policy prohibiting such behavior.
Our zero-tolerance policy applies to all AYSO volunteers, including referees, and will be enforced as follows:
- If a coach questions the call [or request] of a referee, the referee may stop the match, retrieve the game ball, and invite the coach onto the field for a conversation.
- The purpose of the conversation is not to debate a call but to inform the coach that their behavior is unacceptable. This conversation is an initial warning to the coach.
- The coach has 2 choices. He/she can go back to their coaching area and coach per AYSO philosophies or they can leave the playing facility.
- If the referee has to speak to the coach again during the match he should caution the coach (i.e. show a yellow card).
- If yet a second caution is issued, that equates to a send-off (i.e. show a yellow card and then immediately show a red card) and the coach must leave the playing facility immediately.
- If the referee is a youth referee, the youth referee may stop the match (if the CR, or request that the CR stop the match, if the AR), retrieve the game ball, and find a board member to deal with the situation as described above.
- Any coach/spectator who is heard verbally abusing a referee will automatically be sent off by the referee (if an adult) or a board member (in the case of a youth referee). Verbal abuse includes foul and abusive language and comments with racial or sexual overtones.
- If the unacceptable behavior of the coach/spectator occurs after the game has ended it will still be reported by the referee and will be considered as a send off.
- Referees will report any occurrences where a coach/spectator is sent off and there will be an investigation to determine the subsequent penalty. The penalties are at the discretion of the Region and may include suspension from future games.
- The Region also reserves the right to investigate instances when abuse of a referee or volunteer is not reported by the referee or volunteer but is subsequently brought to our attention. The penalties are at the discretion of the Region and may include suspension from future games.
Before you decide to yell at a referee, check out this document with some information that might be helpful.
This video was created by the English Football Association to demonstrate the potential downside when a program does not support its players, coaches and referees.