EPYSA Referee Abuse Prevention Policy

Respect the Call. Respect the Game.

At East Providence Youth Soccer Association (EPYSA), we are committed to providing a safe, respectful, and positive environment for all players, coaches, referees, volunteers, and spectators.

Referees are an essential part of the game and deserve to be treated with professionalism and respect at all times. Abuse, harassment, intimidation, or misconduct directed toward referees will not be tolerated under any circumstances.

By registering, attending, coaching, volunteering, or participating in any EPYSA league, tournament, training session, clinic, or event, all participants and spectators acknowledge and agree to abide by this Referee Abuse Prevention Policy.

Zero Tolerance Policy

EPYSA maintains a strict zero tolerance policy regarding referee abuse.

Any player, coach, parent, spectator, team official, volunteer, or affiliated individual who engages in abusive, threatening, intimidating, discriminatory, aggressive, or inappropriate conduct toward a referee may be subject to immediate disciplinary action.

This policy applies:

Before matches
During matches
After matches
In parking lots and facility grounds
During tournaments and events
Through social media, texting, email, or online communication
At any time connected to EPYSA activities

Automatic Disciplinary Action & EPYSA Authority

East Providence Youth Soccer Association reserves the absolute right to immediately suspend, remove, restrict, or permanently ban any player, parent, coach, spectator, team official, or affiliated individual for referee abuse, harassment, intimidation, misconduct, or behavior deemed detrimental to the game or the safety of participants.

Participation in any EPYSA league, program, training session, tournament, or event constitutes acknowledgment and acceptance of this policy.

Automatic disciplinary actions do not require a formal hearing. All disciplinary decisions are at the discretion of the EPYSA Board of Directors.

EPYSA disciplinary actions:

May be issued immediately
Do not require a formal hearing
May be enforced at the sole discretion of the EPYSA Board of Directors
May remain in effect during any ongoing investigation or review process

The EPYSA Board reserves the authority to determine:

Severity of misconduct
Appropriate disciplinary measures
Length of suspension or ban
Conditions for reinstatement, if any

Disciplinary action may include but is not limited to:

Verbal or written warnings
Removal from sidelines or facilities
Match suspensions
Multi-game suspensions
Season-long suspensions
Permanent bans from EPYSA events and properties
Reporting to Rhode Island Soccer Association and U.S. Soccer
Law enforcement involvement when applicable

What Constitutes Referee Abuse?

Referee abuse includes any deliberate verbal, physical, emotional, intimidating, threatening, discriminatory, or harassing behavior directed toward referees, assistant referees, referee mentors, referee staff, or their family members.

Verbal Abuse

Yelling insults or derogatory remarks
Personal attacks
Taunting or mocking officials
Questioning a referee’s integrity or honesty
Threatening language
Public humiliation or belittling comments

Physical Abuse

Pushing
Grabbing
Spitting
Throwing objects
Physical intimidation
Unwanted physical contact
Striking or attempting to strike a referee

Harassment & Intimidation

Aggressive confrontation before or after matches
Following referees to parking areas
Threatening gestures or actions
Cyberbullying or social media harassment
Posting personal information online
Retaliation against referees

Discriminatory Conduct

EPYSA strictly prohibits any discriminatory comments or actions related to:

Race
Gender
National origin
Religion
Disability
Sexual orientation
Any legally protected characteristic

Coaches, Parents & Spectator Responsibilities

Parents, spectators, and coaches play a major role in creating a positive environment for youth soccer players.

EPYSA expects all adults to:

Respect referee decisions
Encourage players positively
Display sportsmanship at all times
Allow referees to manage the game
Address concerns respectfully through proper club channels

At no time should a parent, coach, or spectator:

Confront a referee aggressively
Enter the field of play
Follow officials after matches
Use abusive language
Encourage players to disrespect officials

Failure to comply may result in immediate removal or suspension from EPYSA activities.

Coaches & Team Officials

Coaches and team officials are leaders within EPYSA and are held to the highest standard of conduct.

Any coach or official found encouraging referee abuse, failing to control spectators, publicly criticizing officials, engaging in threatening or abusive conduct, or creating a hostile match environment may face disciplinary action.

This may include:

Suspension
Removal from coaching duties
Revocation of coaching privileges
Additional sanctions from governing organizations

Reporting Referee Abuse

EPYSA encourages all referees, coaches, players, and families to report incidents immediately.

Reports should include:

Date and location of the incident
Teams involved
Description of the behavior
Names of witnesses
Video, photos, or supporting evidence if available

Reports may be submitted to EPYSA leadership for immediate review and disciplinary action.

Commitment to a Positive Soccer Environment

EPYSA believes youth soccer should always prioritize respect, development, leadership, sportsmanship, safety, and community.

Referee abuse negatively impacts children, families, coaches, and the overall soccer experience. Abuse toward officials discourages referee participation and damages the integrity of the game.

EPYSA is committed to protecting referees and ensuring a safe and positive environment for everyone involved in our club.

Respect the Call.
Respect the Game.
Respect Everyone.

Official Reference

This policy is based upon and supported by U.S. Soccer Policy 531-9 — Referee Abuse Prevention Policy, effective March 2025.