MASSACHUSETTS YOUTH SOCCER ZERO TOLERANCE POLICY
This Zero Tolerance Policy in an effort to decrease the abuse of soccer Officials (Referee, Assistant Referee, Linespeople, 4th Official). We must all work together to deter and eliminate all levels of verbal abuse or negative criticism of Officials. We would not tolerate such behavior towards our children, we must not tolerate the same towards our Officials.
This Zero Tolerance Policy is not intended to label Officials as always right and spectators and/or coaches are always wrong. Just as players make mistakes during play and coaches may err in strategy or methodology, Officials will make mistakes in officiating, particularly in the younger divisions where they are learning how to officiate.
The current state of affairs regarding chronic shortages of qualified Officials will likely be with us for some time. We simply cannot afford to experience the high levels of attrition of Officials that have occurred in the past. One consequence of this shortage is the need from time to time for an Official to be assigned to officiate a higher level match than they otherwise might be comfortable officiating. In all cases, our Officials must receive only positive support from coaches and spectators to continue to grow as an official.
This Zero Tolerance Policy applies to all coaches, players, parents, spectators, and other supporters and Officials participating in a Mass Youth Soccer program or event.
The coach is responsible for ensuring all spectators associated with their team follow this Zero Tolerance Policy relating to communications with an Official. A coach or spectator may not express any disagreement or dissatisfaction whatsoever with the officiating to any Official, directly or indirectly. A coach or spectator may not, before, during, or after a match, discuss with, or voice within earshot of, an Official any critique of the Official's performance, other than to thank and positively compliment the Official. Any other critiques may only be voiced or communicated through the appropriate league’s reporting channels.
Abusive and obscene language, violent play or conduct, fighting, and other negative or derogatory behavior (such as sarcasm or taunting) directed to or about Officials or otherwise deemed detrimental to the match will not be tolerated. The ultimate responsibility for the actions of coaches, players and spectators resides with the member organizations (towns, clubs, leagues).
It is the responsibility of the coaches to provide all Officials support and spectator control, and it is the responsibility of the member clubs to provide instructions to their coaches on how they are expected to carry this out. This policy applies before, during, and after the match at the soccer field and its immediate surrounding areas.