Support for Referees
Every person responsible for a team and each and every spectator and player will respect the authority of the referee. This respect is essential to the proper play of the game, the development of our players and the retention of quality, experienced referees. Failure to respect the authority of the referee, sets a bad example for everyone else, especially the players and can rapidly lead into a hostile, negative environment where playing the game of soccer is no longer the focus of the activity. These actions are entirely inconsistent with the sportsmanship goals Tolland Soccer Club is working to instill in its youth players. No referee should be addressed at all before, during and after a match.
This prohibition, its exceptions, and the penalties for violating it are as follows:
Persons Responsible for a Team
With the exception of responding to a communication initiated by a referee, making a substitution, or pointing out an emergency safety issue during the play of a match, the persons responsible for a team should not say anything to a referee. Nor should they do anything that conveys in any way any criticism of the referee. Coaches may ask questions before the start of play or direct questions properly through their captains, but may not approach the referees at halftime or at the end of the match.
Coaches, who have concerns about referee’s officiating, may express those concerns orally in writing to the Tolland Soccer Club’s Referee Assigner. Coaches may not express those concerns to the referee.
The Tolland Soccer Club’s policy regarding infractions of this rule is as follows:
- The first instance of reasonably low key dissent is to be acknowledged with a verbal warning.
- The second instance will result in the coach’s dismissal from the field. Coaches are not to be issued a card of any kind.
- Any coach dismissed from a match will be issued an immediate suspension from all coaching activities for minimum of one (1) week, which shall include at least one (1) game.
- Any subsequent offense shall result in an indefinite suspension and disciplinary action handed down from the Tolland Soccer Club’s Disciplinary Board.
Interested in Refereeing at TSC Games?
Referee opportunities are available for experienced referees and those who know/play the game, but have never refereed before.
Please visit ctreferee.net to learn more about becoming a referee.