ZERO TOLERANCE POLICY ON REFEREE ABUSE.

• The purpose of this policy is to make clear that verbal abuse or negative criticism of referees is as unacceptable as verbal abuse or negative criticism of players. This policy adopts basic standard sanctions for improper conduct if Referee’s are subjected to dissent, intimidation and physical contact from players or managers.
• Players are now being reminded that offensive, insulting, or abusive language or gestures as well as confrontational physical contact will result in a red card. Disrespect, aggression, confrontation, including running toward an official to contest a decision, as well as non-aggressive physical contact and surrounding a referee will result in yellow cards. The code of conduct by managers and their staff in the technical area will also be vigorously enforced.
• This policy is not intended to imply that referees are always “right”, and the player or coach is always “wrong”. Just as players make mistakes during play, referees will make mistakes in officiating, particularly in competitive divisions. Some referees may be officiating at a higher-level game than they are comfortable with. They must receive positive support from coaches, players, and spectators to continue to grow in the VMSL as an official.
• It is never acceptable to abuse or criticize referees, verbally or otherwise, in any situation. VMSL will not tolerate any verbal or other abuse, or criticism of referee by any coach, player, or spectator. There are appropriate avenues for coaches, players, and spectators to share concerns about the quality of officiating. VMSL welcomes constructive comments about the referees. Any concerns about the quality of officiating must be addressed to the Referee Assignor or VMSL discipline member so that situation can be handled appropriately by submitting the Referee Evaluation Form which is available to all teams in confidence to the VMSL discipline directors.
• Any serious suspension from VMSL will carry onto EDSA and ASA leagues and we will be submitting the referee report to both respective associations and the same applies for all players suspended in the EDSA and ASA league and are playing in VMSL, assuming we get written official confirmation on the players suspension from their respective league.

 

Team officials

Where an offence is committed (before, during or after the match) by someone from the technical area (substitute, substituted player, sent-off player or team official) and the offender cannot be identified or the team refuses to identify the individual that committed the offence, the senior team coach present in the technical area will receive the sanction.

 

Disciplinary action

If, before entering the field of play at the start of the match, a player or team official commits a sending-off offence, the referee has the authority to prevent the player or team official taking part in the match (see Law 3.6); the referee will report any other misconduct.

A player or team official who commits a cautionable or sending-off offence, either on or off the field of play, is disciplined according to the offence.

 

Laws of the Game 2023/24 | Law 12 | Fouls and Misconduct104

The yellow card communicates a caution, and the red card communicates a sending-off. Only a player, substitute, substituted player or team official may be shown the red or yellow card.

 

Referee's Responsibilities During Games.  

1. Both teams must provide to the referee printed game sheets. (NO HAND-WRITTEN NAMES OR ALTERED GAME SHEETS WILL BE ACCEPTED).
2. (10 minutes grace time to provide proper game sheet or the result will be an automatic game default). Game can be played only as an exhibition regardless of the final score result.
3. Mark all infractions on game sheet.
4. All referees report must be sent into info@vmsl.ca within 72 hours.
5. Score and Time on the Clock: The score is an essential part of every game. This, in turn, makes the scorekeeper an essential official. All referees must use the clock and the scoreboard with real time updates on the scoreboard so both teams are aware of their playing time and score situation.
6. If the referee does not follow the above duties during a game, VMSL may not pay for the referee fees for the game played.
7. There will normally be one referee per game.
8. For any Referees evaluation and concerns please fill out the appropriate forms. Game and Referee Evaluation Form.
9. Any referee that plays in the VMSL and/or has a team in the VMSL will not be allowed to referee any game(s) if players are in his team roster. 
10. Upon the completion of the game, the Referee shall sign the game sheet and record the goals scored together with remarks where required.
11. Within 72 hours of the game an ASA Misconduct Report must be submitted for each dismissal.  The report must accompany the game sheets and dismissed individual’s name and jersey number; For dismissal due to action against a referee, submit the Misconduct Report to ASA.  Provide the League with a copy of all documentation sent to ASA.
12. Upon the completion of the game, the Referee shall sign the game sheet and record the goals scored together with remarks where required.
13. Within 72 hours of the game an ASA Misconduct Report must be submitted for each dismissal.  The report must accompany the game sheets and dismissed individual’s name and jersey number; For dismissal due to action against a referee, submit the Misconduct Report to ASA.  Provide the League with a copy of all documentation sent to ASA.

Alberta Soccer Association Referee support

Refereeing is not getting any easier – offences against Match Official are still at an all-time-high. These offences are being committed by players, team officials and spectators.

Alberta soccer is ramping up sanctions against these individuals by adding fines to the discipline decisions.

Individuals and teams can be fined from $250 to $2000 for such offences. Fines must be paid, and suspensions served before returning to play. Bonds are also held against teams and individuals.

Lifetime bans are in place for repeat offenders.

Please remember that if referees are physically assaulted or threatened with physical harm by any team, coach, manager, player or spectator the local police or RCMP will be called and the referee will also file a police report, and a ‘facility report’ will be filed where the incident occurred.

 

When Approaching Referees.

All interaction with referees should be always limited and kept to 2 meters distancing. Any participant who intentionally breach the 2 meters distance during the game to interact with the referee will be subject to the appropriate discipline action including warnings, blue card, yellow cards, and red cards or ASA discipline as applicable.