Inland NW Soccer News has learned that the area referee association - the Inland Empire Soccer Referee Association (IESRA) - has adopted a new, strict policy regarding the increasingly poor behavior amongst spectators at local high school matches - to which INWsn can confirm as a witness.
The zero-tolerance policy will likely lead to spectator ejections/bannings or matches being abandoned this season... as they are not kidding around. There is plenty of chatter that this policy will be taken seriously right from the beginning of non-league play. It would not be a surprise to see a match cancelled in the first week or two this spring as many of the policy violations have occured at nearly every match INWsn has been to the past few seasons.
Editorial Note: If you are a HS soccer spectator, I would highly suggest sharing this news and help police this at games. There are a number of top programs in this area known for unruly spectators, and abandoned matches in league play could hurt their records or result in home game cancellations if the IESRA decides that referees will not be sent to officiate at certain schools or for games featuring particular programs.
INWsn has obtained the policy that has been to all area referees and school administrators / coaches. The entire policy / letter is below, but here are the two In-Game Scenarios & Measures:
For comments directed at the referee crew which are not Personal or Provocative, the referee will stop the game, meet with both coaches at the half-line, advise the coaches of the comment heard and let them know comments of this nature will not be tolerated. The referee will also advise the coaches any future comments of this nature will be grounds for the referee crew to abandon the match. Examples of this type of behavior is “that’s offside”, “that’s a foul”, “you missed that call”, etc…. The preceding comments are not all inclusive.
For comments directed at the referee crew which are Public, Personal or Provocative, the referee crew will stop the game, meet with both coaches at the half-line, advise the coaches of the comment heard and that the comment was unacceptable, and the match is being abandoned by the referee crew. Examples of this type of behavior is “referee, you suck”, “referee, you’re horrible”, “referee, what game are you watching”, any and all over the top protesting, etc…. The preceding list is not all inclusive.
Here is the full IESRA Policy / Letter...
New Policy to Address Irresponsible Behavior at High School Soccer Matches
One goal of the Inland Empire Soccer Referee Association (IESRA) is to help prevent physical and verbal abuse against referees within the soccer community.
As all of you are aware, the number of referees in the Spokane area has been unable to keep up with the increase of players and games. Our attrition rate far exceeds the number of referees needed to officiate games. This is not a soccer specific problem, but a sport wide problem throughout the country. Unfortunately, by far, the greatest reason for referees quitting is referee abuse (both verbal and physical) from spectators and team officials.
Since returning to the field from COVID, IESRA has noticed a significant increase in inappropriate behavior from players, coaches, and especially spectators. Many instances have occurred since the return causing more high school referees to decide they no longer wish to officiate. The reason given in almost all instances is it is no longer fun to officiate games due to the inappropriate behavior of parents, coaches, and players.
As referees, we have tools to be able to manage players, coaches, and anyone else listed on the roster and inside the technical area (verbal warnings, cards, ejections, etc.). Unfortunately, we do not have tools to effectively manage spectators other than stopping a game, attempting to have the problem spectator removed and possibly abandoning the match.
During the girls season this past fall, our association has had parents yelling from the stands, yelling from the sidelines, following referees to the parking lot to provide negative comments among other things. In none of these situations was an appropriate action taken by the school towards the offending spectators. All were allowed to be in attendance for the remaining games. Several of my current referees are refusing to officiate at certain schools because they don’t feel safe.
The IESRA Board and Instructors are aware that referees make mistakes. Referees are going to miss calls or make the wrong calls. However, the reactions of some spectators have been over the top, irresponsible and unacceptable. The IESRA Board believes if spectators cannot watch a game without berating the officiating crew, they should not be allowed to attend matches. Furthermore, the Board believes attending sporting events is a privilege, not a right. If you behave in an irresponsible manner, you should not be allowed to attend sporting events.
The referee is an integral part of a soccer match. Abuse of any referee will not be tolerated under any circumstance.
Purpose
This Policy’s intent is to eliminate physical and verbal abuse of referees and to adopt standard sanctions for improper conduct toward referees. It is never acceptable to abuse or negatively criticize a referee, verbally or otherwise, in any situation. IESRA will not tolerate any verbal or other abuse of a referee by any coach, player or spectator. This policy applies before, during and after the game at the soccer field and its immediate surrounding areas (including the parking lot).
Zero-Tolerance
Due to the rising number of spectator related incidents within high school soccer, IESRA has developed a zero-tolerance policy when it comes to referee abuse (verbal or physical). Effective immediately, any negative comment heard from the stands by any member of the referee crew (referee, assistant referee, 4th official) could result in the match being abandoned, no referees being assigned to a particular school, administrator required at the site, escort for the referee crew, or a combination of all previously mentioned consequences or any other acceptable consequence discussed by the IESRA, WIAA and school. The current practices by the school districts are ineffective and almost non-existent. IERSA has put the previously mentioned consequences into place for the protection of our referees.
The goal of this zero-tolerance policy is not to punish the schools, players, coaches or spectators, but to protect the referee crew from incidents that are becoming far too frequent.
For comments directed at the referee crew which are not Personal or Provocative, the referee will stop the game, meet with both coaches at the half-line, advise the coaches of the comment heard and let them know comments of this nature will not be tolerated. The referee will also advise the coaches any future comments of this nature will be grounds for the referee crew to abandon the match. Examples of this type of behavior is “that’s offside”, “that’s a foul”, “you missed that call”, etc…. The preceding comments are not all inclusive.
For comments directed at the referee crew which are Public, Personal or Provocative, the referee crew will stop the game, meet with both coaches at the half-line, advise the coaches of the comment heard and that the comment was unacceptable and the match is being abandoned by the referee crew. Examples of this type of behavior is “referee, you suck”, “referee, you’re horrible”, “referee, what game are you watching”, any and all over the top protesting, etc…. The preceding list is not all inclusive.
Parents and Spectators Seating
When bleachers are available, remain in the bleachers on the opposite side of the field from their team bench.
When bleachers are not available, remain on the opposite side of the field from their team bench between the centerline and the top of the penalty area and at least 10 feet from the touchline. It is strongly suggested schools without bleachers line a 10 foot spectator line extending from the top of the penalty area, 10 feet away from the touchline.
Parents and Spectators Expectations
Shall not make negative Personal, Provocative, or Public comments towards any member of the referee crew.
Shall not address the referee crew at any time including before the match, during half time, or after the match, including the parking lot.
Shall not make remarks to the referee crew or advise the referee crew to watch certain players.
Shall not make negative demonstrative actions or gestures towards the referee crew.
Shall not visually display any sign of dissatisfaction with a referee’s decision.
Shall never yell at the referee crew, including criticism, sarcasm, harassment, intimidation or feedback of any kind before, during, or after the game, including the parking lot.
Any violation of just one of the above-mentioned expectations is grounds for the referee crew to abandon the match.
IESRA will continue to monitor this policy and reserves the right to add/amend/replace any or all of the Policy IESRA sees fit in order to protect referees.
A plea of ignorance to this policy will not be considered. It should be obvious to all those involved with high school sports that assault or abuse of any kind is not warranted or encouraged and WILL NOT BE TOLERATED.
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