CDYSL exists to provide opportunities for the youth of the Capital Region to enjoy soccer. CDYSL has implemented a Zero Tolerance Policy to ensure that all games are played in a safe, sporting manner and provide an appropriate environment for our youth soccer players.
These Zero Tolerance policies are to prevent physical assault and verbal abuse in the leagues and clubs within the Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) and the Capital District Youth Soccer League. Nothing in this policy shall be construed to restrict or limit CDYSL, U.S. Soccer or ENYYSA from applying equal or greater restrictions to anyone in violation of the Zero Tolerance Policies. The U. S. Soccer Misconduct Toward Game Officials in Amateur Matches shall supersede any inconsistent rules of Member Organizations that pertain to assault, abuse, or gross mistreatment upon Federation Game Officials (i.e. referees). (U.S. Soccer Policy 531-9 adopted 5/10/24).
This policy applies to all coaches, bench personnel, players, parents, spectators and other supporters and referees. Abusive, derogatory and/or obscene language, violent play/conduct, fighting and other behavior (including, but not limited to sarcasm, taunting, etc.) deemed detrimental to the game between the above-mentioned groups will not be tolerated. The ultimate responsibility for the actions of coaches, players and spectators resides with the member clubs.
It is the responsibility of the coaches to provide referee support, player and spectator control. The member clubs are ultimately responsible for the actions of their coaches, players and spectators. They are to provide education and instructions to their coaches on this policy and their expectations. This policy applies before, during and after the game on/at the soccer field, sidelines, and its immediate surrounding areas, including the parking lot(s) and/or common gathering areas.
Any person who has witnessed a Violation of the Zero Tolerance Policy may file an Official Zero Tolerance Violation Report and submit it in writing to the CDYSL office. Any person’s name that has been recorded as being present at the time of the incident must comply with the investigation of the Zero Tolerance Enforcement Committee. Each person and/or club that is contacted must acknowledge and return the Zero Tolerance Enforcement Committee’s phone call and/or email within 24 hours. If the club President and/or Coach does not respond in a time specified, the club will be given a noncompliance fine. (if the ZTEC investigator is unable to reach a coach or assistant coach, they will contact the Club President for assistance).
Findings and sanctions are to be fulfilled immediately. If you choose to appeal the findings and sanctions, you can follow the guidelines stated at the bottom of the violation report. Filing an appeal does not supersede any finding or sanction.
Any finding and sanction will be fulfilled in the current seasonal year or if the findings and sanctions are at the end of the CDYSL seasonal year, they are to be continued to the next seasons until complete.
Read the entire policy HERE.
Section I: Parents & Spectators
1. No parent or spectator shall
a.) Engage in a physical or verbal altercation with other parents, spectators, referees, coaches, assistant coaches, players, or bench personnel before, during and after the game at the soccer field and its immediate surrounding areas.
b.) Address a player or other team member in a derogatory or sarcastic way before, during and after the game at the soccer field and its immediate surrounding areas.
c.) Use Foul and Profane language towards another person.
d.) Use offensive and/or aggressive language that is hateful or discriminatory in nature towards another person.
e.) Step onto the field of play, over the white line at any time during the match without permission from the referee.
2. No parent or spectator shall (in regards to referee and assistant referees)
2.1 Persistently address the referee or assistant referees at any time. This includes, but is not limited to:
a.) Parents and spectators shall not dispute calls during or after the game.
b.) Parents and spectators shall not make remarks to the referee(s) or advise the referee(s) to watch certain players or attend to rough play.
c.) Parents and spectators shall never yell at the referee(s), including criticism, sarcasm, harassment, intimidation or feedback of any kind before, during or after the game.
d.) Follow a referee before, during and after the game at the soccer field and its immediate surrounding areas. This includes approaching or speaking to a referee in the parking lot.
3. Allowable exceptions to the above are:
a.) Parents and spectators may respond to a referee who has initiated a conversation, until such time as the referee terminates the conversation.
b.) Parents and spectators may point out an emergency or safety issues, such as a player apparently injured on the field or observed fighting.
4. Penalties issued from the Referee (Parents & Spectators)
In the opinion of the referee, depending on the severity of the offense, the referee may take any of the following actions:
a.) The referee may issue a verbal warning to the coach of the offending party’s team.
b.) The referee may stop the game and instruct the coaches to direct the parent / spectator to leave the field.
c.) The referee may abandon the game if the parent/spectator does not leave the field.
d.) The referee may abandon the game if a credible threat is made to any member of the referee team.
5. Penalties issued from CDYSL Zero Tolerance Enforcement Committee (Parents & Spectators)
In the opinion of the CDYSL Zero Tolerance Enforcement Committee, depending on the
severity of the offense, the committee may apply one or more of the following actions:
a.) Warnings issued to the club
b.) Financial penalties to the club
c.) Suspension of team personnel or spectators (coaches, assistant coaches, bench personnel, parents, spectators or players) for one or more games
d.) Sensitivity education/training
e.) Individuals prohibited from attending future games or an entire season
6. Penalties from ENYYSA for violation of U.S Soccer Policy 531-9
All cases of alleged mistreatment, abuse or assault of a referee shall be reported to the ENYYSA State Office and State Referee Administrator within 48 hours of the match that engendered said behavior. ENYYSA will then conduct a verification of the complaint and subsequent actions as required by applicable sections of the U.S. Soccer Policy 531-9 in effect at the time of the incident. Although ENYYSA is continually bound by U.S. Soccer Policy 531-9 and its various revisions, definition of referee mistreatment, abuse and referee assault found in U.S. Soccer Policy 531-9 as of the creation date of this Zero Tolerance Policy. In addition to penalties from ENYYSA, CDYSL has the right to place additional penalties as stated above to member clubs and perpetrators. (See U.S. Policy 531-9)
Section II: Players
The conduct of the players is governed by the Laws of the Game as stated by FIFA and USSF. The Laws themselves describe penalties associated with violating the Laws of the Game. Additional penalties for players who engage in misconduct may be established by the club and/or league but may in no case be less severe than penalties established by FIFA, USSF, or ENYYSA.
1. Racial Slurs and Hate Speech
1.1 ENYYSA & CDYSL enforces all sportsmanship rules for players, and coaches. ENYYSA/CDYSL will not tolerate negative statements or actions between opposing players, especially trash-talking, taunting, or baiting opponents including racial or discriminatory comments or slurs. If such comments or actions are heard or seen, or actions of this nature are reported, disciplinary action may be levied at the discretion of ENYYSA/CDYSL.
2. Penalties issued from CDYSL Zero Tolerance Enforcement Committee for Racial Slur, Hate Speech and other violent conduct not involving a Referee
a.) Will include a minimum 3 game suspension and sensitivity education/training.
b.) Any finding and sanction will be fulfilled in the current seasonal year or if the findings and sanctions are at the end of the CDYSL seasonal year, they are to be continued to the next season until complete and follows the player.
3. Penalties issued from ENYYSA for violations of U.S Soccer Policy 531-9
a.) All cases of alleged gross mistreatment, abuse or assault towards a referee, as
defined in the U.S. Soccer Policy 531-9, will be directly reported to ENYYSA for
verification and subsequent actions as required by applicable sections of
U.S Soccer Policy 531-9 in effect at the time of the incident. Penalties will be
assessed by ENYYSA Arbitration in accordance with the Penalty Framework.
(See U.S. Soccer Policy 531-9)
Section III: Coaches, Assistant Coaches & Bench Personnel
1. Responsibilities
a.) It is the responsibility of all coaches to maintain the highest standards of conduct for themselves, their players, and supporters in all matches. Failure to do so undermines the referee’s authority and the integrity of the game resulting in a hostile environment for players, the referee(s), coaches, assistant coaches, bench personnel, and spectators. As role models for all of the participants and spectators, coaches participating in an Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association sanctioned event are expected to be supportive of, and to acknowledge the effort, good play and sportsmanship on the part of ALL players from either team in a contest. By example, coaches, assistant coaches, and bench personnel are expected to show that although they are competing in a game, they have respect for their opponent, referees, and spectators at all times. The Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association/ Capital District Youth Soccer League will not tolerate negative behavior exhibited either by demonstrative actions and gestures, or by ill-intentioned remarks, including those addressed toward the referees or members of an opposing team. Coaches exhibiting hostile, negative, sarcastic, or otherwise ill-intended behavior toward referees, opposing players or coaches will be subject to sanction by the match official. Additional sanctions may be imposed by the club that the coach or assistant coach represents, the league that the match is being played under, or as allowed by Eastern New York State Soccer Association policies after a review of the match report.
b.) All coaches, assistant coaches, and bench personnel must comply with CDYSL Rules and Regulations, Risk Management and coaching requirements.
c.) Coaches, assistant coaches and team personnel must make every effort to
to assist the referee when asked to control parent and spectator gross mistreatment, abuse or assault of a referee.
2. Coaches, assistant coaches, and bench personnel shall not
a.) Interact directly or indirectly with the coaches, players, and parents/spectators of the opposing team during the game in any manner that may be construed as negative, hostile or sarcastic either by way of demonstrative actions, gestures or by ill-intentioned remarks.
b.) Use foul and/or profane language towards another person
c.) Use offensive and/or aggressive language that is hateful or discriminatory in nature towards another person.
d.) Offer dissent to any call made by the referee(s) during or after the match
e.) Follow a referee or assistant referee on the field or to surrounding areas
f.) Step over the touchline at any time without the referee's permission.
3. Coaches are not to address the Referee(s) during the game except to:
a.) Respond to a referee who has initiated a conversation.
b.) Point out emergency or safety issues.
c.) Make substitutions.
d.) Ask the referee, “What is the proper restart”
e.) Ask for the time remaining in the half.
3.1 Coaches are allowed to ask a referee after a game or during the halftime interval, in a polite and constructive way, to explain a law or foul, but not judgment calls made in the game.
3.2 Polite and friendly concern can be exchanged with the referee. If the polite tone of the conversation changes, the referee may abandon the exchange at any time.
3.3 Absolutely no sarcasm, harassment or intimidation is allowed.
NOTE: It is recommended that coaches or other team members do not engage in any
conversation with the match officials once the match has concluded.
4. Penalties issued from the Referee (Coaches, Assistant Coaches & Bench Personnel)
In the opinion of the referee, depending on the severity of the offense, the referee may take any of the following actions:
a.) The referee may issue a verbal warning to the offending coach, assistant coach or bench personnel.
b.) The referee may eject the offending coach, assistant coach or bench personnel. Once ejected, the individual will be required to leave the field immediately. NOTE: Referees are allowed to issue cards for misconduct to coaches and team officials.
c.) The referee should abandon the game, if the coach, assistant coach or bench personnel do not leave the field or any immediate adjoining area after having been instructed to do so.
5. Penalties issued from CDYSL Zero Tolerance Enforcement Committee (Coaches, Assistant Coaches, & Bench Personnel)
In the opinion of the CDYSL Zero Tolerance Committee, depending on the severity of the offense, the committee may apply one or more of the following actions:
a.) Warnings issued to the club
b.) Financial penalties to the club
c.) Suspension of team personnel (coaches, assistant coaches, bench personnel, parents, spectators or players) for one or more games
d.) Sensitivity education/training
e.) Individuals prohibited from attending future games or suspended for an entire season
5.1 Any finding and sanction will be fulfilled in the current seasonal year or if the findings and sanctions are at the end of the CDYSL seasonal year, they are to be continued to the next season until complete and follows the coach, assistant coach and bench personnel.
5.2 Additional penalties associated with the ejection of a coach, assistant coach or bench personnel may be assessed by the local club or league which sanctioned the match in accordance with their documented policy. These penalties may be no less stringent than sanctions as may be imposed by ENYYSA following their review, if conducted, of the incident.
6. Penalties issued from ENYYSA in regards to violation of Policy 531-9
a.) All cases of alleged mistreatment, abuse or assault of a referee shall be reported to the ENYYSA State Office and State Referee Administrator within 48 hours of the match that engendered said behavior. ENYYSA will then conduct a verification of the complaint and subsequent actions as required by applicable sections of the U.S. Soccer Policy 531-9 in effect at the time of the incident. Although ENYYSA is continually bound by U.S. Soccer Policy 531-9 and its various revisions, definition of referee mistreatment, abuse and referee assault found in U.S. Soccer Policy 531-9 as of the creation date of this Zero Tolerance Policy. In addition to penalties from ENYYSA, CDYSL has the right to place additional penalties as stated above to member clubs and perpetrators. (See U.S. Policy 531-9)
Section IV: ENYYSA and U.S Soccer Definitions
1. U.S. Soccer Policy 531-9; Misconduct toward Game Officials in Amateur Matches; adopted by the U.S Board of Directors on May 10, 2024 and amended November 2024.
2. “Referee” includes the following
a.) All currently registered USSF Referees, assistant Referees, fourth
officials, match officials, or other duly appointed (i.e. Member
Organizations) to assist in officiating in a sanctioned match or
similar USSF-affiliated activity.
b.) Any non-licensed, non-registered person serving in an
emergency capacity as a Referee or any club assistant Referee
under USSF policies.
c.) Any person serving in a Referee support function, such as
Referee mentors, Referee coaches, and other Referee staff at
the venue.
d.) All references to “Referee” henceforth cover the above
definition for all U.S. Soccer policies only.
3. “Hearing” means a meeting of at least three neutral members, one of whom is designated or elected to serve as chairperson.
4. “Protected Party” means a member of the Referee’s family or household, or guest of the Referee at the match venue. The Referee is protected from the time they arrive at the venue (which includes the parking area), until their departure from the venue.
5. Referee assault is any deliberate physical action against a Referee. Referee abuse is extreme, deliberate, and non-contact behavior that causes a Referee or Protected Party significant harm. Actions in this category may be subject to an immediate suspension, meaning that the perpetrator cannot appear at the next sanctioned match. Assault and abuse include, but not limited to, the following actions or behavior committed against a Referee or Protected Parties:
a.) imposing physical harm upon a Referee or a Protected Party,
including by use of objects or equipment.
b.) Any act that endangers the Referee’s physical wellbeing,
whether deliberate or merely reckless.
c.) Any form of unwanted physical contact, including but not
limited to pushing, hitting, striking, kicking, choking, or spitting
at the Referee.
d.) Any behavior that constitutes a criminal offense under any
applicable law.
e.) Threatening, either directly or in insinuation, physical harm,
including by use of objects or equipment, to a Referee or a
Protected Party or property. Threatening is defined as any
statement or action that instills reasonable fear of acts of
violence to a person’s safety or property.
f.) Threats of harm or any retaliatory action against the Referee or
their Protected Parties, including threat of exclusion from
assignment or future participation.
6. Gross Mistreatment is actions that do not meet above assault or abuse definitions, but cause a Referee or Protected Party harm, may be subject to U.S. Soccer’s gross mistreatment framework. Gross mistreatment means any deliberate, non-contact behavior that is expected to cause harm to a Referee. Gross mistreatment includes, but not limited to, the following actions or behavior committed against a Referee or Protected Parties:
a.) Severe or repeated harassment, including hate speech or
discriminatory remarks based on race, gender, national origin,
sexual orientation, disabilities, or any other legally protected
characteristic.
b.) Extreme verbal attacks that would cause emotional harm to a
reasonable person.
c.) Approaching a Referee when they arrive or depart the venue
with aggression (i.e. intimation)
d.) Any form of cyberbullying, including spreading false information
about the Referee, sharing the Referee’s personal information,
or publicly posting content that ridicules or mocks the Referee or
uses hate speech.
e.) Questioning the Referee’s character, integrity, honesty,
truthfulness, or impartiality.
f.) Yelling insults, taunting, making, or expressing derogatory/
belittling remarks towards a Referee.
g.) Pervasive action that belittles or undermines the Referee’s
authority or intended to cast doubt on the Referee.
Addendum: Please visit www.enysoccer.com for complete copies.
U.S. Soccer Policy 531-9 Misconduct Toward Game Officials in Amateur Matches
Eastern New York Youth Soccer, Zero Tolerance Policy
www.enysoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/223/2024/05/Zero_Tolerance_Policy24.pdf
Details of Conduct and Misconduct can be found Section IX, Section B, Section C of the CDYSL Rules and Regulations
Penalties imposed by the ZTEC can be appealed through the process detailed in Section VI, subsection B of the CDYSL Rules and Regulations.
CDYSL Rules and Regulations, Code of Conduct Coach, Player, Parent and Directors, Volunteers and Spectators; Section IX, C, page 23-24.
Zero Tolerance Policy Updated 2024; 2025
· Any misconduct against a minor-aged referee that rises to the level of child abuse under federal law must also be reported to law enforcement and the U.S. Center for SafeSport.
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