March 2025
AYSO Implements U.S. Soccer's Referee Abuse Prevention Policy

As a proud member of the U.S. Soccer Federation, AYSO has officially adopted the U.S. Soccer Referee Abuse Prevention (RAP) Policy. This policy is now included in AYSO’s governing documents and applies to all affiliated matches.

U.S. Soccer’s RAP Policy establishes clear expectations and minimum sanctions for individuals who engage in abusive behavior toward referees. With this policy now in effect across all U.S. Soccer member organizations, it directly impacts all AYSO matches you may be officiating.

Unlike the U.S. Soccer implementation, the AYSO implementation of the RAP applies to all members of our soccer community—including coaches, referees, officials, other volunteers, spectators, team members, and other participants. Everyone is expected to contribute to a respectful and safe environment on and around the field.

If you're not yet familiar with the Referee Abuse Prevention Policy, we encourage you to read the policy here.

It’s important to note that The Laws of the Game remain unchanged. What has changed are the consequences for violating the referee abuse policy.

As a referee, you should not alter how you officiate the game in response to this policy. Continue managing behavior from coaches, players, and spectators in the proactive, preventative manner you’ve always practiced and deal with dissent early using your tools (presence, look, voice, whistle, etc.) to prevent it from escalating to abuse. If you need support or guidance on effective behavior management, please reach out to your RRA or ARA. You may also want to revisit the policy’s examples of inappropriate conduct to refresh your understanding of which actions warrant a response.

The intent of the RAP Policy is not to encourage an increase in red cards for actions that previously did not merit one. Instead, the goal is to deter misconduct by establishing stronger consequences. That said, the examples listed under Level 1 (non-physical abuse) should prompt us to reassess what behaviors are considered unacceptable and deserving of a response from the referee.

Behaviors outlined in Levels 2 through 4 of the non-physical section, as well as any physical abuse, should continue to result in a red card, just as they have in the past.

Every breach of the Referee Abuse Prevention Policy must be reported. Please use the reporting mechanisms established in your Section, Area, or Region to report all incidents and misconduct. Timely and accurate reporting is essential for enforcement and for creating a safer environment for referees.

AYSO remains committed to creating a safe, respectful, and positive environment for all participants. This policy reinforces our collective responsibility to protect referees and uphold the integrity of the game.