The State Referee Committee (SRC) has resolved that harassment and abuse of referees and ARs must stop.
With that in mind, the SRC is making increased diligence in dealing with abuse by coaches and spectators a Point of Emphasis for this year. As part of the Emphasis, the SRC wants all referees to “lower the bar” on what will be tolerated from coaches and spectators.
The Laws of the Game only allows coaches to give tactical instructions but DOES NOT allow dissent or harassment. Emotional responses to challenges should only be allowed if infrequent and short.
If coaches engage in loud outbursts, continuous questioning of decisions or harassment of ARs, referees should deal with it early in the game and not let it build up and get out of control.
As often as possible there will be observers/advisers at games to support our referees. These observers/advisers will be empowered to instruct the referee to warn, caution (y/c) or send off (r/c) a coach or other bench personnel that acts irresponsibly. This instruction will only be necessary if the referee has not acted on their own.
Coaches will be instructed to control their spectators by either the referee or the observer/adviser in accordance with the process posted on the Maryland Referees web site.
Additionally, a mobile APP has been created which will allow referees to easily report incidents of harassment or abuse directly on their phone. All referees should report such incidents whether or not any action was taken. You will have the option of reporting anonymously.
Below is the link to put the APP on your phone.
https://www.jotform.com/app/220374946590159
