A. Zero Tolerance Policy
1. Spectators
i. No parent or other spectator shall address the Referee or Assistants at any time
ii. This includes but is not limited to:
a. Spectators making derogatory comments to players of either team
b. Disputing calls during or after the game
c. Remarks to the referee to watch certain players or attend to rough play
d. Yelling at the referee, EVER, including criticism, sarcasm, harassment, intimidation or feedback of any kind before, during or after the game
iii. The only allowable exceptions to the above are:
a. Responding to a referee who has initiated a conversation with a parent or spectator
b. Pointing out an emergency or safety issues
iv. Penalties
In the opinion of the referee, depending on the severity of the offense, the referee may take any of the following actions:
a. The Referee will issue a verbal warning to the offending party
b. The Referee will stop the game and instruct the parent / spectator to leave the field
c. The Referee will stop the game and instruct the Coaches to direct the parent / spectator to leave the field
d. The Referee should abandon the game, if the spectator does not leave the field
2. Players
Communications between players and referees are governed by the FIFA Laws of the Game. Penalties associated with violating the Laws of the Game will be governed by the Laws themselves and Section VII. Local Playing Rules (F)
3. Coaches and Assistants
It is the responsibility of all Coaches to maintain the highest standards of conduct for themselves, their players and supporters in all matches. Failure to do so undermines the Referee's authority and the integrity of the game resulting in a hostile environment for players, the referee, coaches, assistant coaches and spectators
i. Coaches may not interact directly or indirectly with the coaches or players of the opposing team during the game in any manner that may be construed as negative, hostile or sarcastic either by way of demonstrative actions and gestures or by ill-intentioned remarks
ii. Coaches may not offer dissent to any call made by the officials
iii. Coaches are not to address the Referee during the game except to:
a. Respond to a referee who has initiated a conversation
b. Point out emergency or safety issues
c. Make substitutions
d. Ask the referee to repeat a call
e. Ask for the time remaining in the half
iv. Coaches are allowed to ask a referee after a game, in a polite and constructive way, to explain a law or foul but not judgment calls made during the game
a. Polite and friendly concern can be exchanged with the referee. If the polite tone of the conversation changes, the Referee may abandon the exchange at any time
b. Absolutely no sarcasm, harassment or intimidation is allowed
v. Penalties
In the opinion of the referee, depending on the severity of the offense, the referee may take any of the following actions:
a. The referee may issue a verbal warning to the offending Coach or Assistant Coach
b. The Referee may eject the offending Coach or Assistant Coach. The Coach or Assistant Coach will be required to leave the field.
c. The Referee should abandon the game, if the Coach or Assistant Coach does not leave the field
vi. Any additional penalties associated with the ejection of a coach will be governed by Section VII. Local Playing Rules (F)(3)
4. Referees
It is the responsibility of the Referees to maintain the highest level of professionalism at all times. Further it is the responsibility of the referees to control the game governed by the FIFA Laws of the Game with modifications as dictated by Section VII. Local Playing Rules. Referees will:
i. Conduct themselves in a professional manner
ii. Answer questions posed to them as allowed per the above guidelines in a prompt and courteous manner except that Referees do not have to explain judgment calls made during the game
iii. Maintain their integrity and independence by not being influenced by acquaintances or by the Coaches or Assistant Coaches
iv. Penalties
Referees will be subject to the League penalties in effect at the time of the offense
Zero Tolerance Policy