The BAYS League that Wellesley United youth soccer belongs to has issued a new Zero Tolerance Policy regarding interaction between coaches/spectators and referees:
All individuals responsible for a team and all spectators shall support the referee. Failure to do so will undermine the referee’s authority and has the potential of creating a hostile environment for the players, the referee, and all the other participants and spectators.
Consequently, BAYS has adopted and modified the following rules:
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No one, except the players, is to speak to the referee during or after the game. Exceptions: Coaches may ask questions before the game, call for substitutions and point out emergencies during the game, or respond to the referee if addressed.
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Absolutely no disputing calls, during or after the game, no remarks to the referee to watch certain players or attend to rough play. NO YELLING at the referee, EVER, and no criticism, sarcasm, harassment, intimidation, or feedback of any kind during or after the game.
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Violators may be ejected and are subject to disciplinary action by the BAYS Sportsmanship Review Committee.
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If coaches or spectators have questions regarding particular calls, rules, or a referee, or wish to give feedback regarding a referee, please contact the town soccer club referee’s coordinator for the game in question, or contact the BAYS Referees Representative at https://www.bays.org.
Sounds like a violation of free speech to me.
My daughter played soccer from the age of 6 in Bays, Club, High School, Premier and college and we only witnessed a few hostile situations.. That includes traveling to tournaments across the US, and playing the sport year round on several different teams. I would hope that someone challenges this over the top rule!
I think there are larger behavioral issues, like Baltimore?
As a BAYS coach, I really appreciate everything the referees do to keep the league running. It can be a tough job, and we coaches are happy to see so many youths volunteering to referee games.