Zero Tolerance for Referee Abuse FAQs

Since implementation UYSA is happy to report that the number of incidents involving overzealous and aggressive sidelines where our review committee was called upon to make a judgement has been minimal. While we are grateful for this much needed change, we do want to clear up some misconceptions about what this policy change really means. 

A referee has all the power? 

Referees have always had the ability to make a judgement call to clear a sideline or end a match in situations they deem unsafe. 

Referees have been instructed to utilize the “Game Review Requested” button in US Soccer Connect (Affinity) after the completion of a match to notify UYSA of any issues. 

Can I say anything during my child’s match? 

Utah Youth Soccer is not expecting or mandating that sidelines be silent. Exclamations in the moment are part of the game. A “handball” or “offside” as an immediate response to a situation is more than acceptable so long as that exclamation ends there. It is not acceptable to address the official with anything further.  

Complaints are just part of sports – referees know that when they sign up. Referees need to have thicker skin. 

Complaints are part of the sports atmosphere. Our youth referees, like our youth players, are still learning and developing their skills. Again, exclamations are okay, but anything after an exclamation is not welcome or needed. 

Can I talk to a referee at all? 

Coaches – We would encourage you to introduce yourself and start a mutually respectful relationship prior to the match starting. Throughout the match anything specifically stated to a referee should be done with respect. 

Players – Most referees welcome communication with players – especially if it is done respectfully. Take ownership of your game and ask for clarification on a call or decision with respect. 

Parents – there is no reason to speak with a referee. 

*UYSA knows the names and assignments of all referees, in order to file a complaint, you do not need the official’s name. 

What about protecting our players? Referees need to keep our players safe. 

Soccer is a physical game – referees use their best judgement and experiences to keep play within the bounds of safe play. 

How do we file a complaint or address a poorly called match? 

UYSA welcomes feedback. Coaches and team managers are welcome to address issues regarding referees or any match issues in the “Game Comments” box in US Soccer Connect (Affinity). Comments and concerns should be sent to our League Commissioners, Cindy Baron and Scot Boyd at: cbaron@utahyouthsoccer.net and  Sboyd@utahyouthsoccer.net with the game number. We are aware many teams are now utilizing video for game analysis and player development – please include video whenever possible. 

Referees are not professional; they show up late or not at all. What accountability is there for a referee? 

Again, Utah Youth Soccer welcomes feedback. Additionally, the State Referee Committee wants feedback on their referees as well. The SRC certifies and trains these referees – they have an expectation of their referees and would like to be aware if these expectations are not being met. Just as there have been instances of coaches, players or parents receiving “punishment” for their actions, so too have referees. Comments regarding referees can be sent to the League Commissioners or the Utah State Referee Committee. Please include the game number. 

In addition, if a full crew does not show up to your match, you will have an opportunity at the end of the season to request a refund for the matches that you did not have a full crew. 

My child has been playing for years and we’ve never seen this issue. Is this even a problem? 

Every year the referee pool sees about 1/3 of its referees choose to not return. Many cite poor treatment when asked why. UYSA recently sent out an email pleading with parents/coaches and players to register to become referees to keep from having to cancel matches. We were flooded with responses from parents, coaches and formerly registered referees stating they would never certify because of the treatment they have seen towards referees or the treatment they have previously received. 

Each season there are reports of not only berating referees or verbal threats made to individuals, but actual physical violence against referees. We have heard of many examples of parents or coaches stepping into a referees “safe zone” during or after a match. 

When UYSA sent out the email about zero tolerance, again we were flooded with responses from referees thanking us for the protection – they are scared to face youth soccer parents. 

This seems heavy handed. Punishing the whole sideline for the mistake of one person? Isn’t there a middle ground? Has anything else even been tried? 

Consider the referee that is responsible for hundreds of matches a season. We cannot afford to lose any more referees. The mistakes of one individual or a few individuals is creating a greater impact that is felt throughout the league.  

UYSA has banned individuals, has banned entire team sidelines, has issued other punishments, but the problem persists. We asked parents to participate in organization-wide programs to learn about proper sideline behaviors, but participation numbers were low. We are in a dire situation and at the risk of not having enough referees to cover matches. We simply cannot afford to lose anymore.  

We are asking the sideline to work together in holding each other to a higher standard. If one parent is struggling to stop chirping at the referee, other sideline parents should be able to convince them to quiet down and stop. This way everyone can watch the game. 

What about better training or mentoring for referees? Why doesn’t UYSA do something to help the referees instead of just blaming the parents? 

UYSA has set a goal of sending a referee mentor to 10% of league matches this season. Qualified individuals capable of mentoring a referee are also the individuals who are responsible for officiating hundreds of matches and their schedules are tight. There have been over 100 games this season with a mentor present at the match. 

UYSA has committed to helping the State Referee Committee with a training space for their continued referee education. Additionally, UYSA currently holds two positions on the board of directors at the SRC. We are fully aware of issues affecting the SRC and are providing whatever resources we can to address these issues. 

Just get referees that know what they’re doing. The referees you have are too young. 

It can take anywhere from 3 to 5 years to become a confident/seasoned referee. The bottom line is that it takes experience. What UYSA has found is that new referees, young or old, are not being allowed an opportunity to get that learning experience without intense and loud criticism or even threats made against them. They are leaving the role before they have time to master the craft. 

Referee Assignors hope to give new referees lower-level matches, but the lack of referees does not always allow for this. 

UYSA just sides with the referee. 

This is a common complaint from coaches, and on the flip side – from referees feeling UYSA sides with coaches. Officials see the same coach with bad behavior season after season without a change in behavior. 

At the rate the referee pool is decreasing, officials need to be protected. Period. 

UYSA has found in 90% of the cases where calls are protested and video evidence is provided, the official made the correct call. That does not mean that UYSA will always side with every call the referee has made. 

It costs too much to be referee and the pay isn’t good enough. 

We agree. Pay will increase for referees starting Fall 2022 for the state competition league. UYSA provided about 300 scholarships for new officials and has committed to more this next calendar year. 

We understand that the term “Zero Tolerance” elicits concern and strikes a nerve as too extreme of a solution; we hope that you’ll see from our responses and clarifications above that the situation we find ourselves in requires a serious culture change that can only be ignited by a shock to the system. UYSA will continue to work with State Referee Committee, and support trainings, certifications, and scholarships. In the meantime, we will do all we can to improve on the only thing we can control in the youth soccer ecosystem: the behavior of the individuals on our sidelines, and the positive experiences each of our youth players has participating in our programing.