Referee Abuse Prevention Policy

Referee abuse continues to be an issue on a national level. US Soccer and Mass Youth Soccer have created the Referee Abuse
Prevention (RAP) policy to increase deterrence of referee abuse. For BAYS, the RAP policy replaces Zero Tolerance, but
coaches, players, and spectators should continue to follow the spirit of zero tolerance, which stated:

• There is zero tolerance for unsportsmanlike behavior from coaches, players, and parents towards referees. No one,
  except the players, is to speak to the referee during or after the game. Coaches may ask questions before the game,
  call for substitutions/point out emergencies. No disputing calls, asking the referee to watch certain players, etc. NO
  YELLING at the referee, or criticism, sarcasm, harassment, intimidation, or feedback of any kind during or after the
  game.

Violations of the RAP policy are split into non-physical and physical classifications. Non-physical violations start at a two
game suspension and go up from there. This does not have to rise to you arguing a call. A RAP violation can be given for
yelling “Offisdes!” “Come on!”, or simply putting your hands up looking for a call and saying nothing.

Penalties for physical violations (which can include putting your hand on a referee’s shoulder to get their attention) begin at 3
games.

RAP violations against officials under 18 years of age result in a “minor multiplier” of 3x the standard punishment. This
means that arguing a call against a young ref can result in a 6 game suspension.

This policy applies to coaches, players, and spectators. Head coaches, prior to the season please remind your parents and
players of the RAP policy. Keep in mind that:

• If a violator cannot be identified or confirmed by their club, if the unidentified violator was a member of the coaching
  staff, the head coach of the team will serve the suspension.
• If the unidentified violator was a spectator, all the spectators of the team will serve the suspension, and the violator’s
  team may not have any spectators on the sidelines or near the playing field at their next BAYS game.
  • Fans and supporters of the violator’s team must stay 100 feet away from the playing field or stay in the
    parking lot, whichever is further, during the game for their suspension.

If your parents are improperly interacting with a referee during a game, please take action as best you can in the moment.
Please notify your Travel Director following any incidents, even if they do not rise to a RAP violation, or if you need help
communicating the proper expectations to parents.

*****Medway Youth Soccer takes RAP violations very seriously. Serious violations could affect your ability to coach
with MYS in the future.*****