WASRC Referee Abuse

Soccer referee abuse and assault are each very serious crimes against the sport and MUST be reported to the proper authorities. The Washington State Referee Committee and the Leadership of the Affiliated Playing Associations (US Adult Soccer, US Youth Soccer and US Club Soccer) are committed to promptly acting on every report of such conduct.

Such “Abuse/Assault” against referees may occur before, during, and after a match — including travel to and from a match.

Additionally, such abuse/assault may also occur at later times when directly related to duties of a game official as a referee.

It is critical that referees make a reasonable attempt to correctly identify those involved in abuse and assault.

A report must be promptly submitted to the proper authorities of any such incidents.

For assistance in completing a report, send an email to reports@wareferees.org.

“Referee” includes the following:

(a) all currently registered USSF referees, assistant referees, fourth officials or others duly appointed to assist in officiating in a match.

(b) any non-licensed, non-registered person serving in an emergency capacity as a referee.

WHAT IS REFEREE ABUSE?

Referee abuse is a verbal statement or physical act not resulting in bodily contact…

Which implies or threatens physical harm to a referee or the referee’s property or equipment.

Abuse includes, but is not limited to the following acts committed upon a referee:

Using foul or abusive language toward a referee that implies or threatens physical harm; such as remarks like:

“I’ll get you after the game,” or “You won’t get out of here in one piece.

Spewing any beverage on a referee’s personal property;

Spitting at (but not on) the referee.

Step 1 - Recognize and Identify the Abuse

Step 2 - This is always an immediate “send-off”

Step 3 - Send Referee Report(s) to the proper authorities.

WHAT IS REFEREE ASSAULT?

Referee assault is an intentional act of physical violence at or upon a referee.

"INTENTIONAL ACT"

Intentional Act means - intended to bring about a result which will invade the interest of another in any way that is socially unacceptable.

Unintended consequences of the act are irrelevant.

Referee assault is an intentional act of physical violence at or upon a referee, including:

Striking, kicking, choking, head butting, grabbing, or bodily running into a referee, or,

Spitting on a referee with apparent intent to do so

Kicking or throwing an object at an official that could inflict injury

Damaging the referee’s uniform or personal property

Step 1 - Recognize and Identify Assault

Step 2 - The game is abandoned (must not continue)

Step 3 - Police, 911, are called

Step 4 - Referee Report to the proper authorities

OFFICIAL NOTIFICATION OF THE INCIDENT

Contact, via phone, text or email:

All of the below: - as soon as possible, at least by the next business day to make them aware of the incident.

(a) The President of the State Association that has jurisdiction over the game (Youth or Adult), AND

(b) The State Referee Administrator, AND

(d) Your Assignor

HOW TO COMPLETE A REFEREE REPORT

Complete a US Soccer [a] Referee Report & [b] Supplemental Report to record basic game data

Provide a clear, concise and factual account of what happened
Include all relevant information to identify the person(s) involved
Do NOT give opinions or recommendations
Confirm the details in the report with all other officials

The report should be accompanied by written reports from assistant referees (if used) plus copies of any other game misconduct reports sent to the league under whose jurisdiction the match was played. If you were, or are going to be medically treated for injury, that should also be noted. For assistance in completing a report, send email to reports@wareferees.org.

- File the report within 48 hours of the incident.
- Retain a copy of all reports for future reference.
- Multiple incidents may require the use of multiple supplemental reports to complete game report.

Always to:

State Referee Administrator – WASRC: Jim Kritzberg at: sra@wareferees.org
The Washington State Referee Committee Office at: waadmin@wareferees.org
Competition authorities (This can be obtained from your assignor)
The appropriate authority with jurisdiction for the competition

State Youth Executive Director - WYS: Roger Levesque - RogerL@WashingtonYouthSoccer.org or
US Club Soccer - Gabe Rood - grood@usclubsoccer.org and cc: John Borozzi (Vice President) -jborozzi@usclubsoccer.org or
State Adult President – WSASA: Timothy Busch - timbusch19@comcast.net

NEXT STEPS

Acknowledge all correspondence related to the report
Advise any authorized panel of your availability to attend a disciplinary hearing if requested
If requested to participate in a disciplinary hearing, either in person or by phone, an official should cooperate fully throughout the proceeding.

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