Here's a note I received from Brian Curl, VP of Competition at Eastside Youth Soccer Association, our parent organization. In general, I think Eastside FC does a good job of policing itself with regard to sideline behavior on the part of parents and coaches. The vast majority conducts themselves in a very positive and enthusiastic manner. As good as we are, however, we can improve.
As Brian indicates, it's a learning opportunity for all of us. We need to add our individual voices to those who've called for an END to verbal abuse of referees from the sidelines. The coach/parent behavior and response described below is completely unacceptable and would be grounds for termination of the coach if it occurred at EFC. Same goes for the parents involved.
I'd love to hear other comments on this from our parents. And Brian - thanks for sending this along.
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As we’ve discussed in our club and EYSA board meetings, referee abuse seems to be increasing.
I wanted to share with all of you a bit about my experience last evening on the NPSL Disciplinary Committee
Key details are left out to preserve confidentiality, but I’m glad to say the situation didn’t involve an EYSA team.
I’ve also attached a copy of the Coaches’ Ethics from WYS – perhaps we can leverage this as a learning opportunity for our own coaches?
The quick background
- A game described by the center referee as “no worse than a typical BU14 game” got out of control with about 8 minutes left in the match when the AR signaled a goal disputed by one of the teams.
- Shortly afterwards a player from the team was shown a straight red for a violent tackle.
- The player’s (significant) misconduct continued after the sendoff
- Emotions continued to build with parents yelling at the referees and the coach ultimately pulled his team from the field with 2 minutes to play.
- After the match parents (and possibly the coach) from the visiting team crowded around the two AR’s (16-17 yr old girls) and verbally abused them (including profanity) as they collected their bags and headed to the parking lot. A person ID’d as the coach (may have been the manager) told one of the AR’s she was a “piece of crap referee”
- Parents from teams in the next match escorted the ARs to the safety of their car.
The player, team manager, coach, and a club representative were called to last night’s hearing. The coach and team manager’s primary responses were….
- The referee blew the calls, of course my players and parents were angry.
- I understand my player was angry, the referee had blown the goal call, and it was probably a foul but not a red card.
- The players are the coach’s responsibility, but the parents are not.
- I’m only responsible for the players and the game.
In addition to the sanctions (multiple game suspensions) leveled by the league, the player and coach are being referred to WYS and their Association for additional action – that may include:
- 3 month or longer suspension for the player from WYS
- Current and subsequent season suspension from WYS for the coach
- Suspension or dismissal of the coach by the Association
When the coach appears before WYS he’ll likely be asked:
- What do you tell parents in your preseason meeting about acceptable behavior?
- What do you tell your players about acceptable behavior towards referees?
- Have you read, and do you understand the WYS Coaches Ethics?
- Do you believe you and your parents acted within the guideline of WYS’s Ethics?
Again – the center referee described the time leading up to the goal as being “no worse than a typical BU14 game”. In less than five minutes the game devolved into referee abuse and possible assault by the player and referee abuse by the coach and parents.
It’s clear the coach had a gross misunderstanding of his responsibilities… and perhaps it’s in extreme examples we can offer a learning opportunity for our own coaches about their obligations and responsibilities.
Feel free to share the narrative and the copy of the Ethics if you so choose…
Brian Curl
VP Competition, Eastside Youth Soccer Association
This time of year our kids should be carrying warm-ups, sweats, gloves, stocking cap, rain gear, and under-armor to practices and games in their backpack at all times. 
