ZERO TOLERANCE FOR ABUSE POLICY - Updated 7.5.24

Making any negative comments or actions towards the referee or opposing players or coaches will not be
tolerated. The severity of the abuse and resulting sanctions will be determined at the sole discretion of the
referee as described below. Team managers should communicate this policy with the opposing team on
GotSport at least 48 hours before the match.

Level 1 Abuse: (Warning then ejection of offending party or all of the team’s spectators)

• Reactive comments that are loud enough to be heard by any of the referee crew and that negatively impacts the performance of the referee crew. This includes comments that dictate actions the spectator believes the referee should take or should not take such as: “that’s a foul!”, “handball!”, “offside!”.
• The first instance of a Level 1 comment will result in a warning to the coach and instructions for them to address all their spectators, to stop the abuse. If the comments persist by any of that team’s spectators, the referee will undertake the Zero Tolerance Policy described in Referee Response.

Level 2 Abuse: (Immediate ejection of offending party or all of team’s spectators)

• Words or actions that imply the referee is biased towards or against a player, coach, or team. This includes comments such as: “Call it both ways!”, “That’s bulls**t!”, “Who’s paying you?!”.
• Language or actions that reference the race, ethnicity, gender or sexual orientation of the referees/players/coaches.
• Any acts that make the referees/players/coaches feel unsafe in the environment.
• The first instance of a Level 2 comment or action, the referee will undertake the Zero Tolerance Policy as described in Referee Response.

Referee Response:

• If spectators interfere with the game as described above, the referee will stop the game and:
  • Approach the coach of the offending team and give them one minute to identify the offending spectator by full name, and for the coach to ensure they leave the area of the field.
  • If the spectator is not identified within the one minute (by the coach or other spectators) or does not leave, then the match will be suspended until all spectators of that team leave the field.
  • If all of the spectators of the offending team do not vacate the area of the field in a timely manner, or the coach does not cooperate with the referee, the match will be abandoned.
• If the offending team is winning at the time of the abuse, appropriate stoppage time can be added to the game by the referee.
• Records the incident with the spectator’s name on the game card, photos the game card, and reports the incidence to their referee assignor for further action.

In addition to the action by the referee, the Mustang Soccer board may take further actions including, warning
or probation, suspension from one or more games, or suspension for one or more seasons.

Coaches and team officials are expected to set an example and adhere to the same criteria as spectators.

Referees will follow the US Soccer recommended approach of “ask/tell/dismiss” (warn/caution/send-off), but an
immediate caution or send-off can occur based on their irresponsible behavior, as determined by the referee.

By registering for Mustang Soccer, you affirm your understanding of the Mustang Soccer Zero Tolerance for Abuse Policy and will adhere to the policy as a Mustang Soccer member. In addition, you affirm that failure to adhere to this policy and guidelines may result in consequences that include suspension or expulsion from your team.

WHY WE NEED THE ZERO TOLERANCE FOR ABUSE POLICY

Games are an opportunity for parents and spectators to come and see the progress the players have made through practice and training, and are the most exciting part of soccer. Unfortunately, clubs have experienced a small group of spectators who cross the line between cheering for their team and abusing the referees. This is not a value any of us should want to teach our children, or what is often the case, have other less respectful parents teach our children. In an effort to ensure the playing environment is more positive for all our players, coaches, referees, and spectators, Mustang Soccer has adopted a Zero Tolerance for Abuse Policy. Spectators are not allowed to interfere with the match by questioning a referee’s call, their interpretation of the Laws of the Game, or by using any insulting, offensive, or abusive language or actions* towards the referee crew, players or coaches. We are asking for your support and assistance in ensuring we provide a positive environment for all of our youth soccer games.

To become a soccer referee, you must complete and pass on-line training courses and complete a field session, but this is only the beginning. It takes many games before a new referee becomes competent and years to become a really good referee. Every year we lose many new referees who have not been given the chance to become comfortable in their role. We also lose more experienced referees who become tired of the abuse they receive.

Some might think reactive comments made by spectators due to their excitement are acceptable and that referees should have a “thick skin”. The fact is that negative comments, even seemingly benign ones, can be intimidating to referees. This is especially true for youth referees, where this adversely affects their performance and desire to continue. The simple truth is that yelling at someone does not make them do a better job, plus it teaches our children bad behavior, so we all need to stop.

Disagreement on calls will occur in all games, but on close calls usually about half of the spectators believe the
referee’s call was correct. Unlike spectators, referees are objective, but refereeing a soccer game is not an easy
task and they will make mistakes. These disagreements and even the mistakes, while disappointing, are part of the game. This is even true at the highest levels, where unfortunately poor sportsmanship and referee abuse is
common. However, with calm and reasonable review we all know it should not be allowed in youth sports. It is our club’s desire to teach our youths; sportsmanship, respect for the game, and that the decisions of the referees are final and not to be argued.

As part of this policy, we are also asking parents and coaches to “police” each other. Often this just means a friendly reminder that we are watching a youth soccer game and we should be displaying behavior we want our children to emulate. Therefore, when field space and competition rules permit, the opposing team benches will be on opposite sides of the field - home teams choice. Spectators will be on the same side as their team, but on the other half of mid-field. All at least 3 yards from the touchline (sideline) and no one behind the goal.

Referees have been directed to verify with coaches and team managers that they are aware of this policy before the game begins, and to enforce the policy as consistently as possible. We know that comments could be interpreted differently depending on the referee crew, but the judgment to remove spectators, sanction players or coaches, and/or suspend or abandon the match is at the sole discretion of the referee.

Mustang Soccer does not want a hostile or unsafe environment on our fields and our hope is no one will ever be
ejected. Please communicate this policy to all of your teams, families, and players. We also ask that you support the policy, as we all have the same goal, to have a positive environment for our kids to play the beautiful game of
soccer. We appreciate all of your support in this effort.

*Please note there is not a single definition of insulting, offensive or abusive language or actions but they include those that are unsportsmanlike, negative, foul, explicit, derogatory, demeaning, degrading, threatening, and/or harassing, and can include: cursing, shouting, demeaning comments or actions aimed at the referee crew or opposing player, or coach, causing them to feel pressured, unduly influenced, threatened, scared, unsafe, and/or importantly, unable to properly referee/play/coach the match.