Unfortunately, NJ Youth Soccer along with the wider soccer community continues to see increasing instances of referee abuse from players, coaches and spectators. NJ Youth Soccer and its member leagues have a zero-tolerance for referee abuse and follow the US Soccer Federation Policy 531-9 which includes minimum penalties for referee abuse and doubles those penalties for abuse toward referees under the age of 18.
To identify youth referees and provide individuals with a visual cue to pause and think before reacting, US Soccer has introduced the Green Badge initiative. This new referee badge will be worn by all certified referees under the age of 18 to help protect our most vulnerable referees. This clear visual cue shows that an official is a minor and reminds players, coaches, and spectators to show patience, encouragement, and respect instead of criticism and abuse.
Please help NJ Youth Soccer and our referee community by reiterating to coaches, players and parents the importance of sportsmanship, and the need to Respect the Call by responding to referees with support and encouragement rather than criticism and abuse.
Responding to Derogatory Language and Discriminatory Acts
NJ Youth Soccer maintains a strict zero-tolerance policy prohibiting discrimination or harassment of any kind. This includes, but is not limited to, conduct based on an individual’s race, color, religion, veteran status, disability, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or national origin.
NJ Youth Soccer, in consultation with the NJ State Referee Committee, has updated guidance for coaches, players, spectators, and referees on how to respond to instances of derogatory language and discriminatory actions. This updated guidance provides transparency to all parties on the actions to take when such incidents occur.
Please ensure that your coaches, players, and parents are aware that derogatory language and discriminatory acts will not be tolerated and share the attached guidance on how they should respond to such incidents if they should occur.
Guidance on Responding to Derogatory Language and Discriminatory Acts