Referee abuse and harassment by spectators and coaches is the main reason why referees, particularly those in their early teens, drop out of the development program resulting in severe shortages of officials at all levels. This unacceptable behavior towards our youth must be addressed as a priority particularly if soccer is to have an adequate supply of referees.

All teams participating in the U10-U18 age groups must designate an individual (does not have to be the same person for each game) at each game (home and away) to act as a referee liaison. The referee liaison of each team shall be a person who is not the coach or assistant coach and their main role will be to act as a deterrent to possible acts of misbehavior by spectators or team officials. The referee liaison will also be available to the referee should a request to do so be made or if a potential problem exists.

Please wear the identifying armband provided by your team. This armband will be given to the person who picks up the BRSA schedule on April 28. If the referee requires your assistance he will identify you by the armband.

Place yourself in the middle of the spectator seats outside on the fields.

Monitor the behavior of your teams’ parents and spectators.

Quickly diffuse potential problems before they arise by either being visible or calmly speaking with the individual(s) involved.

Deal with, and act on, inappropriate comments, gestures and/or general unsporting behavior directed at referees, players or any other individual by your teams’ spectators or coaches but please avoid getting into a confrontation.

Submit a brief report in writing to the BRSA office of any incident that you feel the BRSA should be aware of involving inappropriate behavior by ANY individual. Based on any official report, then BRSA will conduct an investigation into the incident and act accordingly.