U.S. Soccer launches abuse prevention policy to combat rising referee abuse in sports

In response to a troubling rise in referee abuse, U. S. Soccer has implemented the Referee Abuse Prevention Policy (RAP) to protect youth officials from various forms of misconduct. The policy includes significant sanctions for physical and verbal abuse, addressing incidents such as a recent assault on two young referees by a hockey parent. Christine Sutter, a seasoned official and RAP Administrator, highlights the importance of maintaining referee authority and the detrimental impact of abuse on the sport.

Many referees have reported feeling increasingly threatened, with statistics indicating that 90% of surveyed officials have experienced escalating verbal and physical abuse over the last five years. The new RAP policy not only introduces penalties ranging from two-game suspensions to lifetime bans but also recognizes the severity of non-physical abuse, such as cyberbullying and taunting. Young referees like Katelyn and Rae Gerking share their experiences, noting that such abuse can discourage officials from continuing in their roles. The initiative aims to foster a more respectful environment, ensuring that referees can officiate games without fear of violence or intimidation. U.

S. Soccer’s proactive stance is poised to make a significant difference in the youth sports landscape.