Misconduct towards Game Officials

 

When:  Before, during or after a match

 

Who:  Misconduct toward a referee, all registered referees, assistant referees, fourth officials or others duly appointed to assist.  It also includes any non-licensed, non-registered persons serving in an emergency capacity as a referee under USSF Policy 531-9 and any club assistant referees.

 

Definitions

A.      Assault:  An intentional act of physical violence at or upon a referee, includes but is not limited to:

  1. Hitting

  2. Kicking

  3. Punching

  4. Spitting at or on

  5. Grabbing

  6. Running into

  7. Kicking or throwing any object that could inflict injury

  8. Damage to referee equipment or personal property, cars, equipment, etc.

B.       Abuse

  1. A verbal statement or physical act not resulting in bodily contact which implies or threatens harm to a referee or the referee’s property or equipment.

  2. Included, but is not limited to, the following acts:
    a.           using foul or abusive language
    b.           spewing any beverage on a referee’s property

  3. Verbal threats or remarks that carry implied or direct threats of physical harm

C.      Serious Injuries: Those injuries that require hospitalization or treatment by a qualified dentist or medical practitioner.

 

Definitions are excerpts from the USSF Administrative RuleBook and the USSF Referee Administrative Handbook.  The following penalties for ABUSE and/or ASSAULT on a referee are the MINIMUMS.  The NCASA Board of Appeals and Consultation (BAC) may, at its discretion, impose stiffer penalties as warranted by the individual act or incident.

 

Penalties

A.      Assault

  1. 1 year minimum

  2. 5 years minimum with serious injury

  3. 3 years minimum adult defendant with a minor referee (17 years or under)

B.       Abuse:  3 match minimum

 

C.      Any Player, Coach or Team Official who has been deemed to have ABUSED a referee shall receive as a MINIMUM a three (3) consecutive game suspension from scheduled league or cup play.  The BAC may provide for a longer period of suspension when circumstances warrant (e.g. habitual offenders).

 

D.      Any Player, Coach or Team Official committing a referee ASSAULT is automatically suspended for one (1) year from the time of the assault.  If serious injuries are inflicted then the MINIMUM suspension shall be for five (5) years.  The BAC may not provide a shorter period, but, if warranted, may provide a longer period of suspension.

 

Note:  These ASSAULT suspensions are to be imposed from the time of the incident and will remain in force until such times as the BAC takes action.

 

 

All Affiliated Leagues and Teams: All affiliated leagues, teams, players, managers and team officials have an affirmative obligation to protect the referees.  Teams are responsible for the conduct and actions of its players and their supporters.  If two (2) or more players escalate, inflame or abet in a physical assault on a referee OR if no apparent attempt is made by the team, when time permits, to intercede in protecting or preventing an assault upon a referee then the following MINIMUM penalties prevail:

 

A.     The team is banned from participating in any CUP match for TWO years.

B.     A fine of $250 must be paid by the team to the State Association

C.     A bond of $250 must be posted by the team to the State Association

D.     The team is placed on probation for a period of two years

E.     Any violation of the probation shall result in the team being suspended forever and the above bond forfeited

 

Referees:  Referees (and by definition Assistant Referees, Club Assistant Referees and others appointed to officiate the match) shall report any and all ABUSE and ASSAULT incidents to the State Association, the Referee Assignor and the State Referee Administrator.

 

The State Association: As a matter of policy, the State Association shall support and encourage any Referee who is ASSAULTED to file formal charges in a Court of Law.

 

State Referee Administrator: The SRA shall inform all referees under his/her jurisdiction of their responsibility to prosecute offending persons and to report any incidents of violence, actual or threatened, to the State Association.

 

Effective date: The above policy was adopted by the North Carolina Amateur Soccer Association on May 13, 2002 and is effective upon publication.