Referee Liaison

Thank you for volunteering to be your team's referee liaison. This is an important initiative by WYSA in an attempt to curb referee abuse by some parents and coaches. Although you do not have any special privileges regarding communicating with the referee you are, by volunteering, providing a valuable service to the youth soccer community, which is very much appreciated.

Referee Liaison Duties & Responsibilities

- Please introduce yourself to the referee prior to the start of the game and tell them that you are here to help them if they require it.

- Please wear the identifying yellow (or white) armband provided by your team.

- Locate yourself on the spectator side of the field.

- Monitor the behavior of your team's spectators.

- Be visible at half time and full time by walking onto the field with your fellow liaison from the other team if you feel that this is necessary.

- Be ready to walk towards the referee and assist them if needed if he/she is being confronted by any individual (not applicable indoor).

- Attempt to quickly diffuse potential problems before they arise by either being visible or calmly speaking with the individual(s) involved associated with your team.

- Deal with, and act on, inappropriate comments, gestures, and/or general unsporting behavior directed at the referee, players, or any other individual by your team's spectators or coaches but please avoid getting into a confrontation.

- If you think it is necessary to submit a brief report in writing of any incident that you feel the WYSA should be aware of involving inappropriate behavior by any individual. Based on any submitted report someone from the WYSA will conduct an investigation into the incident and act accordingly

WYSA Directive to Referees and Coaches regarding Referee Liaisons

Referee Liaisons are required for every match. Each coach should acquire their Referee Liaison before the scheduled kick-off time and have them report to the referee before going to the spectator side.

3.3.1 Referee Liaison's must have their names and "RL" stated on the game sheet and be identifiable by wearing the yellow RL band on their upper arm.

3.3.2 Referee Liaison's will assist the referee when asked to do so. the Referee Liaison's job is to control the behavior of their spectators, warning them politely to stop any misbehavior. they should not confront the spectators from the opposition but submit a report to WYSA if they witness any improper conduct from them.

3.3.3 Teams have up to five (5) minutes after the scheduled kick-off time to provide a Referee Liaison. Playing time will not be extended in order to acquire a Referee Liaison.

3.3.4 A referee may not start the match until both teams provide a Referee Liaison. 

If only one team provides a Referee Liaison within the stipulated time allowed, the referee will abandon the match and submit a report to WYSA. Without very good reasoning the non-complying team will default the match and WYSA will award the victory to the opposition.