Referee Abuse Prevention | Policy 531-9
Effective March 1, 2025 U.S. Soccer has updated its Referee Abuse Prevention Policy (Policy 531-9) with the goal to make youth and amateur matches safer, more fun, and more empowering for everyone involved.
Policy 531-9 now includes a category of misconduct titled “Gross Misconduct” which includes insulting, belittling, insinuating, or taunting behavior that undermines the authority of the referee. Additional mandatory minimum penalties for misconduct towards referees have been established. Of note is the addition of a minor multiplier, which triples sanctions for incidents of misconduct towards minor (under age 18) referees.
Mass Youth Soccer’s Board of Directors has also approved a Spectator Misconduct Towards Referees Policy, which extends the same minimum penalties in US Soccer Policy 531-9 to spectators at all Mass Youth Soccer sanctioned events.
The NECSL will follow the updated Referee Abuse Prevention Policy (Policy 531-9) and will also follow the penalties adopted by Mass Youth Soccer for Spectator Misconduct Towards Referees.
Effective March 1, 2025 U.S. Soccer has updated its Referee Abuse Prevention Policy (Policy 531-9) with the goal to make youth and amateur matches safer, more fun, and more empowering for everyone involved.
Policy 531-9 now includes a category of misconduct titled “Gross Misconduct” which includes insulting, belittling, insinuating, or taunting behavior that undermines the authority of the referee. Additional mandatory minimum penalties for misconduct towards referees have been established. Of note is the addition of a minor multiplier, which triples sanctions for incidents of misconduct towards minor (under age 18) referees.
Mass Youth Soccer’s Board of Directors has also approved a Spectator Misconduct Towards Referees Policy, which extends the same minimum penalties in US Soccer Policy 531-9 to spectators at all Mass Youth Soccer sanctioned events.
The NECSL will follow the updated Referee Abuse Prevention Policy (Policy 531-9) and will also follow the penalties adopted by Mass Youth Soccer for Spectator Misconduct Towards Referees.
Addressing Derogatory Language and Discriminatory Actions
These guidelines provide a clear and accessible framework for reporting language incidents and discriminatory actions based on an individual's protected status. If a player or coach reports being subject to derogatory language or discriminatory actions, which is heard or seen by the referee crew, the incident will be addressed according to the IFAB Laws of the game.
If a member of the referee team did not hear or witness directly, the Center Referee will implement the following steps:
Mass Youth Soccer has zero tolerance for discrimination of any kind. All incidents of discriminatory language and/or actions must be reported to Mass Youth Soccer’s secure reporting portal.
These guidelines provide a clear and accessible framework for reporting language incidents and discriminatory actions based on an individual's protected status. If a player or coach reports being subject to derogatory language or discriminatory actions, which is heard or seen by the referee crew, the incident will be addressed according to the IFAB Laws of the game.
If a member of the referee team did not hear or witness directly, the Center Referee will implement the following steps:
- Stop the game, if necessary.
- Send both teams to their respective technical areas.
- Gather the referee team.
- Bring both coaches together.
- Explain the situation to the best of your ability and understanding.
- Direct the coaches to resolve the issue immediately. If the coaches are uncooperative, or a resolution cannot be initiated or reached in a reasonable amount of time (resolution not to exceed 5 minutes), the referee will abandon the game immediately.
Mass Youth Soccer has zero tolerance for discrimination of any kind. All incidents of discriminatory language and/or actions must be reported to Mass Youth Soccer’s secure reporting portal.
