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New Zero Tolerance Update for the 2025 Season
New Zero Tolerance Update for the 2025 Season
US Soccer has updated its Zero Tolerance Policy on Referee Abuse. This policy change and associated standardized penalties are in effect across all leagues nationwide (MLS Next, NAL, EDP, CDYSL, etc.) and at all soccer tournaments. The penalties are steep—minimum suspension of 2 games for dissent—and increase significantly with each level of offense (10-12 game suspension for physical intimidation). We ask that all players, parents and coaches familiarize themselves with the matrix of offenses and consequences attached to this email, as well as US Soccer’s Penalty Summary; the examples are helpful to read. Please note that if there is abuse directed towards a referee under the age of 18, the penalties triple.
Our league directors have let clubs know that if a player is given a red card for referee abuse, the league will enforce suspensions. Additionally, should FC Columbia incur a fine due to misconduct on the part of one of our players, parents, coaches or spectators, that fine will be passed along to the receiver of the card (if the Board deems this is warranted). FC Columbia appreciates all club members adhering to our Code of Conduct at all soccer events and contributing to a positive soccer experience for everyone. And please understand that some of the fines are over $1,000 so keep that in mind when we are at games.
If you have questions, please reach out to any of the club coaches for more information.
The Capital District Youth League and FC Columbia exist 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.
Behavior Expectations
Behavior Expectations
CDYSL has established Codes of Conduct for players, coaches, parents and spectators. It is expected that all parties in attendance at CDYSL soccer matches behave in accordance with these Codes at all times.
CDYSL has instructed referees and club officers that they should not tolerate any deviations from the Codes of conduct from players, coaches or spectators; nor should they tolerate any actions, comments or gestures that are deemed obscene, offensive, threatening, intimidating, insulting, degrading, argumentative or disrespectful. This includes behavior directed at the referee as well as behavior directed at other players, coaches or spectators.
Enforcement
Enforcement
Referees are to control player behavior through the use of warnings, Yellow Cards and Red Cards.
Additionally, referees have been instructed to enforce this policy with coaches and spectators using any of the following procedures as they see appropriate
Suspending the game, delaying the restart of a game in order to issue a verbal warning to the coach, or instruct the coach(es) to issue warnings to the spectators.
Telling the offending coach or spectator they are ejected and must leave the game and surrounding area. (Parking lot or further).
Instructing the coach that they must take action to have a spectator removed from the game and surrounding area. (Parking lot or further).
Abandoning the match
Referees are required to submit a report to CDYSL if any of the above listed actions were necessary to control the behavior at a match; however they have the discretion to file a report at any time.
Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) further instructs that
The use of Foul and Profane language towards another person – opponent, teammate, coaches, referees, etc. – will result in AUTOMATIC EJECTION [RED CARD]
The use of Foul and Profane language out of frustration will result in AUTOMATIC WARNING [YELLOW CARD]
The above also affects ALL BENCH PERSONNEL.
Additional Penalties
Additional Penalties
The CDYSL Zero Tolerance Enforcement Committee (ZTEC) will review all reports of misconduct that have been issued. The ZTEC will determine if any further action is necessary. The ZTEC penalties could include, but are not limited to:
Warnings issued to the club
Financial penalties to the club.
Suspension of team personnel (coaches, assistant coaches or players) for one or more games
Individuals prohibited from attending future games
Penalties imposed by the ZTEC can be appealed through the process detailed in Section VI subsection B of the CDYSL Rules.
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