Referee Assault/Abuse

What is Referee assault?

Referee assault is an intentional act of physical violence at or upon a referee.

This includes, but is not limited to the following acts committed upon a referee: hitting, kicking, punching, choking, spitting on, grabbing or bodily running into a referee; head butting; the act of kicking or throwing any object at a referee that could inflict injury; damaging the referee’s uniform or personal property, i.e. car, equipment, etc.

What is Referee abuse?

Referee abuse is a verbal statement or physical act not resulting in bodily contact which implies or threatens physical harm to a referee or the referee’s property or equipment.

Abuse includes, but is not limited to the following acts committed upon a referee: using foul or abusive language toward a referee that implies or threatens physical harm; spewing any beverage on a referee’s personal property; or spitting at (but not on) the referee.

What do I do if I am the victim of referee assault or referee abuse?

In a youth game:

Referees shall transmit a written report within 48 hours of the incident to 

 to the State Referee Administrator (Email: sra@ilsoccerrefs.org) and the Illinois Youth Soccer Assocation (Email: gus@uniparts.net)

In an adult game:

Referees shall transmit a written report within 48 hours of the incident to the State Referee Administrator (Email: sra@ilsoccerrefs.org) and the Illinois State Soccer Association (Email:  ILStateSoccer@gmail.com)