Every coach and all spectators shall support the referee. Failure to do so undermines the referee's authority and has the potential to create a hostile environment for players, the referee, and all the other participants and spectators. Consequently, NVYSL has adopted the following rule:
No coach or spectator is to address the referee during the game!
Coaches - Allowable Exceptions:
During the game:
- Responding to a referee initiating a communication
- Making substitutions
- Pointing out emergencies or safety issues
At half time or at the end of the game:
- A coach can ask a referee to explain a rule(s) in a polite and constructive way.
- A coach may give polite and friendly feedback to a referee.
- Absolutely no sarcasm, no harassment, and no intimidation
Penalties:
- 1st Serious Infraction - Caution or ejection depending on seriousness of infraction per FIFA Bylaw - 7
- 2nd Minor Infraction - A verbal warning
- 3rd Infraction - Caution
- 4th Infraction – Ejection
Spectators – Allowable Exceptions:
During the game:
- Responding to a referee initiating a communication
- Pointing out emergencies or safety issues
Penalties:
- 1st Infraction - Referee should stop the game and ask the coach to quiet the offending spectator.
- 2nd Infraction - A verbal warning. Referee should stop the game and ask the coach to warn the spectator that the next infraction will be an ejection or the referee will abandon the game.
- 3rd Infraction - The referee shall instruct the coach to direct the spectator to leave the field. The referee should abandon the game if the spectator does not leave the field. If the referee abandons the game, the referee shall file a report, and NVYSL may impose a forfeit on the spectator's team.
Communications among players and referees are governed by the FIFA Laws of the Game.