Discipline at Utah Youth Soccer
Minimum Standard League Discipline
3 Cautions in a Season… Results in 1 Game Suspension
Red Card… Results in 1 Game Suspension
Red Card “Violent Conduct”… Results in 2 Game Suspension
Red Card or Ejection of Coach… Results in 2 Game Suspension
*League Commissioner Discretionary Authority… May add up to 4 Game Suspension to the Minimums
**For any event that “could” result in a penalty beyond the League Commissioner’s authority, the matter is forwarded to the UYSA Discipline Chair.
Incidents involving referees, UYSA is required to follow USSF policies (Policy 531-9)
“In sports, rules are in place for safety of the players, integrity of the game and to create as fair a competition as possible. But sometimes those rules are broken so egregiously that the rules and laws of our society need to take precedent.”
— Travis Armideo
Notable Discipline
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Spring 2022
Parent harassed the referee during the game and then approached the ref in his “safe zone” after the game to continue the abuse.
o The parent’s club, after notice from UYSA, suspended the parent for 2 games and informed the parent that any further misbehavior would result in a season ban.
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Spring 2022
Coach and Club accused of recruiting violation where they allowed a player from another UYSA team to train with them and offered the player a slot prior to the Recruiting Window (Nov 15 – Jan 15).
o Discipline Panel – Found a violation of the recruiting policy – 6 month coaching ban (games only, allowed to train teams) and club put on probation.
o Appellate Panel – Upheld the finding of the violation – changed the 6 month ban to no coaching for 75% of season or 4 months whichever is longer, no involvement in tryouts, and upheld club being placed on probation.
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Fall 2021
Coach grabbed AR by shirt trying to show what happened to a player on the field
o Discipline Panel - “Assault” with minor touching – 3 month suspension which was served over the Winter and 3 additional games.
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Fall 2021
9U coach grabbed referee trying to show what happened on the field
o Discipline Panel – 3 game suspension for a minor touching.
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Spring 2021
Coach pushed referee down, first offense.
o Discipline Panel – coach did not appear at the hearing. Panel gave a 1-year coaching suspension. Coach voluntarily stopped coaching.
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Spring 2021
Recruiting violation. Coach sent e-mails prior to the 2nd weekend in May to multiple players from another club.
o Discipline Panel – 6-month suspension from acting as a head coach of any team, but allowing coach to continue training teams.
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Spring 2021
Coach ejected for complaining and using foul language during the game and after his ejection. Coach had multiple previous suspensions
o Coach suspended from all coaching activities through Spring 2022.
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Fall 2020
9U coach ejected for complaining and returning after the game to confront the referee again. Coach had previously been disciplined for similar behavior.
o Discipline Panel – Coach suspended for 5 games for each team he was listed as head coach. Ended up being a 25-game suspension over 2 months.