REF ABUSE POLICY

Referees are an integral part of the game and regardless of skill level/experience are believed to be un-biased and there to facilitate a fair and safe game. In not only soccer, but other sports as well, game officials have been verbally abused, sometimes intimidated, and even assaulted to the point where they no longer return to the game as an official. A game they enjoyed enough that they wanted to give back to it.

Due to a recent incident at a tournament on our grounds, the RASA/AFC Board is implementing a new policy intended to protect referees. Their safety must be considered too. The following policy is designed to allow for repercussions for offenders of ref abuse and also layout the process for which grievances against the referees may be aired.

First, approaching the referee:

• the only individual allowed to approach or talk to the referees is the coach of a participating team in a match
• should only be utilized if there is considerable concern for player safety during the match
• any grievance of a call or non-call needs to be taken up with the organizer of the event and will not be discussed with or commented on to the referees during or after the game – this is not intended to stop the Coach from requesting what a call was or asking for clarification on what was seen, but they are not allowed to argue the call or non-call
• if a Field Marshall or referee not currently reffing a game for the event is present, the coach may present a possible issue during the game to the Field Marshall/referee and may ask that the Field Marshall or referee observe
• Coaches, parents, and other spectators may not make any negative comment on, jeer, or question the referee

If spectators do violate the ref abuse policy:

• the Assistant Referee (AR) may notify the Center Ref (CR) during a stoppage
• the CR is to notify both Coaches and the Coaches are to determine whose team the Spectator belongs to
• it is advised that BOTH Coaches notify their Spectators that if any abuse continues that the Coach may be Carded, up to and including a Red Card, and sent off for the Spectators behavior
• if event rules dictate the team has only the previously identified Coaches coaching, and the sole identified Coach is sent off, that may result in a forfeiture if not abandonment of that game
• the Coach is to talk to the Spectator(s) or even ask them to leave themself
• if the abuse continues, the Coach is to be carded and provide the names of the violating Spectators to the CR, Field Marshall, or Event Official
• if the CR determines that the Spectator(s) are belligerent enough or the Coach is unwilling to speak to or send off the violating Spectator(s), the CR should present a Red Card and the Coach is sent off