Referee Abuse - March, 2012
A referee (a minor) ejected a coach from a match. After
being told to leave the field, the coach responded, "F*** you man, Did you get
this S*** from a cereal box?” Coach then threw his whistle and said "I’m going
to see you after the game.” As the referee was signing the match report, he
approached him again. An Association Official had to physically step in to
intervene. The referee was then escorted to the concession stand area under instruction
by an Association Official. The referee waited for about 10 minutes before the
Official said it was fine for him to leave. The referee was walking towards his
car when the coach pulled up in a truck and provoked the referee and his
mother. Coach made hand gestures and revved his engine, then sped off. The
referee and his mother was unsure if he had left due to buses in the parking
lot. The referee and his mother was escorted out by the Association
Official.
Findings of the panel:
-After being sent off from a match, the coach returned.
-Coach approached the referee at the conclusion of the match
Sanctions:
-Coach was suspended from being a team official in any
capacity with an NCYSA team until May 31st, 2013. He may only participate as a
spectator.
-Coach was placed on probation until May 31st, 2013. Any
further report of misconduct will result in being issued a stadium bad, and
would prevent him from being present at any NCYSA matches for the remainder of
the probationary period, even as a spectator.
Code of Conduct - October, 2012
A coach came onto the field to tend to an injured player and
began berating a 14 year old referee about not making a call. A spectator from
the opposing team came onto the field to confront the coach’s behavior, and allegedly
threatened the coach.
Sanctions:
-3 Match suspension for
both the coach, as well as the spectator.
-Both the coach and
spectator are required to attend an NCYSA meeting and describe to
attendees in detail their actions at this match and why they were
inappropriate both from an NCYSA Rules and policy perspective and also as
adults responsible for the development of youth.
Referee Abuse - May 2012
Findings of the panel:
-Player spoke to the referee at the conclusion of the match
in a way that is socially unacceptable
-Players actions did not rise to the level of referee abuse
as defined in USSF 531-9
-Player violated NCYSA’s Code of Conduct which states that
debasement of referees by anyone is unacceptable conduct
Sanctions:
-Player was suspended for one match for violating NCYSA’s
Code of Conduct
-Player was required to complete eight (8) hours of
community service within LYSA before October 31st, 2012.
Referee Assault - March, 2012
Team official pushed referee in the chest after not
receiving a call.
Findings of the panel:
-Person initiated contact with the referee by stepping into
his path and placing his hands on his chest after not receiving the desired
call for a foul.
-Actions were a violation of the USSF Policy 531-9, Referee
Assault
Sanctions:
Person was suspended from all NCYSA events for three (3)
months from the time of the incident
Referee Assault - February, 2012
Player initiated contact with the referee
Findings of the panel:
-player initiated contact with the referee by approaching
the referee and grabbing his jersey
-actions were in violation of USSF Policy 531-9, Referee
Assault
Sanctions:
-3 Month suspension from all NCYSA events from the time of
the incident.
Falsification of Records - November, 2012
Allegations were filed against an Association Official for
violating NCYSA Bylaw 204, Section 6, Falsification of Records, as well as
NCYSA Code of Conduct.
The panel agreed on the following facts:
-documents were created with the unauthorized us of the
NCSRA logo
-falsely charged Association for "Assignor fees/charges”
-endorsed and cashed checks made out by Association to
NCYSA, USYS, and a false entity named NCSF (NC Soccer Federation), without any
authorization from these organizations and kept the funds.
-created fictitious email strings outlining a "referee
grading program” allegedly established by NCSRA in order to support claims for
funds from Association. No such program was ever established by NCSRA
-created fictitious email strings purported to be between
yourself and NCSRA in order to support your claims for funds from Association
Sanctions Issued:
- suspended for five (5) years from all NCYSA activities,
including holding a position within an Association, as a coach, team official,
and/or spectator.
- must make restitution to the Association, to the
satisfaction and approval of the Association Board (or its successor
organization)
- after the five (5) year suspension concludes, and the
Association indicates to NCYSA that person has made satisfactory restitution,
person may reapply for membership to NCYSA. Reinstatement is contingent upon
you successfully satisfying the NCYSA Risk Management process.
Racism, 2010
Player addresses an opponent as
"A Dirty Sanchez” as noted in the referee’s supplemental report. The panel
members felt the player used the comment as a direct racial slur towards his
opponent.
The following sanctions were
issued:
·
must issue two separate letters of apology (one
to the player and one to the team).
·
The club was issued a fine, which would be
suspended as long as no member of the club (player, coach, team or club
official, spectator) was found in violation of NCYSA rules or code of conduct
regarding any racial issues through the end of the following season.
·
Club must create a policy for all their members
to address racism and other forms of abuse.
This policy must be approved by the panel members and sent out to all
members of your association. FIFA Law states that the player is required to sit
out a penalty of five games.
·
The panel decided to impose a mandatory one game
sit out. The remaining four games were suspended as long as the player wasn’t
found to have made any racial remarks or gestures through the end of the
following season. If the player was
found to have made any racial remarks or gestures in that time, the remaining
four game suspension would be in place immediately.
Referee Assault, 2011
Referee Assault Supplemental was filed against Spectator.
Spectator allegedly came onto the field after the game and pushed the referee
from behind as he was still directing the players to their benches. Spectator
then started to yell at the referee. Spectator then continued to approach him.
The panel agreed on the following facts:
·
Contact between Spectator and the referee
occurred.
·
Spectator entered the field of play and
deliberately approached the referee in an aggressive manner.
·
After the physical contact took place, Spectator
proceeded to verbally abuse the referee.
·
Spectator’s actions were a violation of the USSF
Policy 531-9.
The panel determined that Spectator’s action intended to
bring about a result which would invade the interest of the referee in a way
that is socially unacceptable. Unintended consequences of the act are
irrelevant.
The following sanctions were
issued:
·
Spectator was suspended from all NCYSA events
for eighteen (18) months.
·
Club must document to NCYSA how it will educate
the coaches, players, and spectators in order to mitigate the potential for
situations similar to Spectator’s. Failure to submit the documentation by that
date will result in Club being assessed a fine of $1,000. (This is in
accordance with NCYSA Bylaw 204, Section 2, which makes associations
responsible for the conduct of their members.
Referee Assault, 2011
Player pushed an opponent in
the back, the referee got in between Player and opponent so as to calm the
situation and talk with Player. Player was alleged to have then pushed the
center referee with both hands in the chest.
The panel agreed on the
following facts:
·
Contact between Player and the referee occurred.
·
Player raised his hands as the referee
approached, but it was unclear if Player initiated contact or if the referee
initiated contact.
·
Player’s actions were a violation of the USSF
Policy 531-9.The panel determined the contact between Palyer and the referee
was unintentional. As a result, the panel determined Player’s action of raising
his hands as the referee came forward was a physical act not resulting in
bodily contact initiated by Player, as described under the referee abuse
standard of USSF Policy 531-9 rather than the referee assault standard.
The following sanctions were issued:
·
Player was suspended for one match for the
initial red card, and three additional matches for Referee Abuse.
Spectator Misconduct, 2011
NCYSA received a report stating that Spectator came onto the
field during an altercation between two players, put a player in a headlock and
began swinging at the player.
The panel has agreed on the following facts:
·
Spectator entered the field of play without the
permission from the referee.
·
Contact between Spectator and a player from the
other team occurred.
·
Spectator’s actions were a violation of NCYSA’s
Code of Conduct policy.
The panel determined that the contact between Spectator and the player
from the opposing team was intentional, regardless of its intended nature.
The following sanctions were
issued:
·
Spectator was immediately suspended from all
NCYSA sanctioned events for the remainder of the 2011 season through the 2012
spring season.
Spectator Misconduct, 2006
4 Spectators were involved in a
fight on the sidelines at a match. A stadium ban was initiated immediately
following the incident at the next match, in which only one adult associated
with each team (that being the team’s coach listed on the official roster) is
allowed at the match. Other adults were allowed in the Complex parking lot
only. A hearing was scheduled to address specific spectator’s actions.
The panel issued the following
sanctions:
Spectator #1:
- Spectator was suspended
for four matches. He must also serve a two-year probationary period, during
which he may attend his son’s matches. During the probationary period, any
violation of NCYSA rules or Code of Conduct will result in double (8
matches) the original four-match sanction in addition to any new penalties
stemming from the violation that broke the probation.
- Spectator must also write a letter of apology to
the children on both teams.
Specator #2:
- Spectator was suspended
for two matches. Spectator must also serve a six-month probationary
period, during which he may attend his son’s matches. During the
probationary period, any violation of NCYSA rules or Code of Conduct will
result in double (4 matches) the original two-match sanction in addition
to any new penalties stemming from the violation that broke the probation.
- Spectator must also write a letter of apology to
the children on both teams.
Spectator #3:
- Spectator was suspended
for two matches. Spectator must also serve a six-month probationary
period, during which she may attend her son’s matches. During the
probationary period, any violation of NCYSA rules or Code of Conduct will
result in double (4 matches) the original two-match sanction in addition
to any new penalties stemming from the violation that broke the probation.
- Spectator must also write a letter of apology to
the children on both teams.
Spectator #4:
- Spectator was suspended
for two matches. Spectator must also serve a six-month probationary
period, during which she may attend her son’s matches. During the
probationary period, any violation of NCYSA rules or Code of Conduct will
result in double (4 matches) the original two-match sanction in addition
to any new penalties stemming from the violation that broke the probation.
- Spectator must also write a letter of apology to
the children on both teams.
Son of Spectator #1 and
Spectator #3:
Must write a letter to NCYSA explaining what he
has learned from the incident.
Son of Spectator #2 and
Spectator #4
Must write a letter to NCYSA explaining what he
has learned from the incident.
Spectator Misconduct, 2011
Supplemental match reports filed by the referee and assistant referee contain allegations of referee abuse and referee assault.The report stated that after being sent off, the coach said, "I hope you die” to the referee. At that point, the referee terminated the game. Parents from the club continued to harass the referee by saying things such as, "I hope you get killed”, "you suck ref”, and "you are a horrible ref”. Separately, the assistant referee alleged that the coach ran up and placed his hands on the AR’s chest, and continued his verbal complaints.
The panel agreed on the following facts:
·The allegation of you touching the Assistant Referee after the match was terminated was inconclusive, and determined to be unintentional if such action occurred.
·Your verbally abusive demeanor towards the referee encouraged your spectators to behave inappropriately.
·Your actions were a violation of the USSF Policy 531-9.
The panel determined that your actions of loudly yelling at the referee and confronting the referees after you were supposed to leave the complex following your ejection were in violation of the referee abuse standard of USSF Policy 531-9.
·An unidentified spectator from the club was determined to have said to the referee "I hope you die in a car crash on the way home,” which is grounds for an NCYSA disciplinary hearing.
Sanctions
·The coach was suspended for one match for the initial send off, and three additional matches for Referee Abuse.
·Coachmust make a brief presentation at the annual NCYSA Southern Soccer Show in January, explaining Referee Abuse and the coach’s role in controlling the conduct of their players and spectators.
·A stadium ban was enforced at the following match, in which no parents or spectators from the team will be able to attend.
· A stadium ban will remain in effect for the remainder of the fall season for all parents and spectators from the team until the parent/spectator that made the comment to the referee, "I hope you die in a car crash on the way home” is brought forward. This parent will be subject to a hearing held at the NCYSA Offices in Greensboro at a future date.
· Your association must document to NCYSA how it will educate the coaches, players, and spectators in order to mitigate the potential for similar situations. Failure to submit the documentation will result in the club being assessed a fine of $1,500. (This is in accordance with NCYSA Bylaw 204, Section 2, which makes associations responsible for the conduct of their members.)
The Club chose to appeal the stadium ban sanction for the remainder of the season based on the aspect that the sanction imposed by NCYSA was excessive to the point of being arbitrary and capricious
The appeal panel concluded that the stadium ban imposed for the remainder of the season was excessive, and lifted the sanction. However, they recommended that a board member from the club be present at the remainder of the seasonal games.
Unfulfilled Sit-Out Requirement, 2011
Coach failed
to follow the requirements set forth by NCYSA following his ejection from a
match, in which he was required to fulfill a sit out at the next scheduled
match. Coach allegedly coached his team’s next match on Sunday. Coach
arbitrarily decided to sit out his team’s match on the following Sunday instead.
The panel has agreed on the
following:
·
Regardless of Coach’s intentions and reasons, he
knowingly violated the rule requiring a next match sit out after having been
sent off at a match.
·
The panel believed that while Coach looked into
alternatives, he failed to exhaust all options within his Club in finding an
alternate coach for his team’s next match. The panel members appreciated his
desire to find his own solution to a problem of his making, but ultimately the
club has a responsibility to see that teams have qualified club officials
(e.g., those who have been through the NCYSA risk management process
successfully) at each match.
The following
sanctions were issued:
·
Coach was suspended from his next regular season
match in which he was the head coach of an NCYSA team.
- Club was
issued a fine. This fine was 100%
suspended as long as no member of Club (player, coach, team or club
official, spectator) is found in violation of NCYSA rules or code of
conduct regarding failure to abide by any automatic or NCYSA imposed
sanctions through May 31, 2012. If
any violation is found, this fine would be payable immediately.
Recruiting, 2009
A Club accused a Recreation
Coach of illegally recruiting NCYSA carded players by means of a mass
email. In Coach’s email, he stated that
the individuals should consider signing up with his association when many of
them were registered with other associations.
The following sanctions were
issued:
·
Having stated that Coach was not briefed on
recruiting rules (or any NCYSA rules) before assuming his coaching duties, the
panel believed that he was perfectly positioned to help assure that recreation
coaches are made aware of the rules. Therefore, Coach’s sanction was to create
a presentation (PowerPoint?) which discusses his case and the importance of
knowing recruiting rules (especially parents, players and individuals that deal
with NCYSA carded players). This
presentation must be submitted to the hearing panel members for their approval
before it is presented. Once the
presentation is approved, he must coordinate with NCYSA to convene 10 local
recreation programs and give his presentation to either the President or an
appointed individual from the association.
Each individual will then report to NCYSA stating that they were in
attendance. This presentation may be given in either a group session or in
multiple individual sessions, based on the convenience of the associations to
which he will be presenting. This must
be completed by October 31, 2009 or you will be in direct violation of his
sanctions.
·
Coach will also have to give this presentation
at the NCYSA AGM – D&A meeting – . This will help
get the message across to associations around the state about the importance of
keeping their recreation programs compliant.
Risk Management Violation, 2009
President of Club knowingly allowed a person to participate in
Club activities when he/she had not passed Risk Management. This would be a direct
violation of NCYSA Rule 6 under Risk Management for knowingly allowing a
convicted felon to participate in NCYSA activities.
The following sanctions were issued:
- President of Club is
suspended from all activities, events, and participation under the
jurisdiction of NCYSA for Five (5) years.
- The rest of the Club Board
is placed on a two year probation.
- Club is fined $300.
(Cashier’s check or money order made payable to: North Carolina Youth
Soccer)
President of Club appealed this decision. The appeal was based on two
aspects:
1. That
NCYSA was wrong in its decision to find President of Club guilty
2.That the sanction imposed by NCYSA was excessive
to the point of being arbitrary and capricious
The first appeal was to NCYSA. NCYSA denied the appeal, saying that the
evidence was supported and the correct process and procedure was taken
surrounding the hearing. The panel also felt that the rules were applied
correctly, and that the sanctions imposed were within the scope of permissible
sanctions for violations of this nature.
President of Club then appealed to USSF. On the first matter, the USSF
appeals panel agreed that NCYSA was justified in finding that President of Club
had violated the risk management policy. On the second matter, the USSF appeals
panel thought a significant punishment was appropriate, but suggested a
suspension of a lesser duration. The USSF appeals panel remanded the case back
to NCYSA for a hearing on the punishment only.
The new appeal panel issued the following sanction:
·Unanimous in its decision to impose a 3 year
suspension on President of Club for this violation.
Illegal Player, 2011
Club brought forth details regarding one of their coaches
that provided false birth certificates for players in order to have them play
on his team. The panel found that these allegations were true. Based on the statements provided by the club
President, and his summary of events, the panel
determined that the actions were sufficient to find violations.
The following sanctions were issued:
When an illegal player plays
in a match, the insurance for every player in the match is voided. The decision
to allow the player to play put all the players at risk and is unacceptable.
The panel did, however, recognize that the
club reported
their own internal error. This reassured the panel that the club recognized the seriousness of the situation, and that the
club will attempt to avoid similar situations in
the future.
Therefore, the panel imposes
the following sanctions:
·
The Club was
issued a $900 fine. $225 of this finewas
payable immediately. However, the remaining $675 is suspended, provided that
all Club players are registered
legitimately with NCYSA through December 31st, 2012.
·
The coach is
suspended through June 30th, 2013. He will not be able to hold a
coaching, team official, or club official position within NCYSA until after
this suspension is lifted.
·
The coach must
complete the E-License course through NCYSA in order to return to coaching
after June 30th, 2013. If this course is not taken, he will not be
eligible to coach within NCYSA.
