Referee abuse is an issue that is on the rise, and it is our collective responsibility to ensure that soccer remains a positive experience for all those involved on matchday and beyond.

• 90% of referees report that abuse has increased over the last 5 years.
• 60% of referees choose not to recertify due to harassment and threats.
• Youth soccer needs referees to grow – without them games can’t happen.

US Soccer has created this policy with the goal of preventing referee abuse through education, i.e., setting clear expectations around behaviors that are acceptable vs unacceptable, and stronger consequences for misconduct toward a referee.

Coaches, players and spectators should review the provided information below including  the examples offered for Level 1 Non-Physical and Physical Abuse.  See Slide 6 and Slide 11 of the Slideshow linked at the bottom of this page.

This policy includes significant multipliers for offenses against minor referees and for multiple offenses.

Misconduct against Referees may occur before, during, and/or after the match, specifically when the Referee arrives at and/or departs the venue.   A red card does not need to be shown for misconduct toward a referee to occur.

While the policy does not include spectators, our state has a policy that treats spectators as the responsibility of the head coach. If spectators are abusive towards a referee or an assistant referee, the head coach receives punishment.