Referee Abuse Prevention CNRA GuidancePrintable

 

 

U.S. Soccer recently announced a new Referee Abuse Prevention (RAP) policy. 

  • Defines levels of referee abuse
  • Provides examples of referee abuse
  • Minimum suspensions
  • Reporting requirements (coming later in 2025)

USSoccer RAP Website

 

CNRA (California North Referee Administration) Suggests

      • The Laws of the Game have not changed
      • Do not change the way you officiate a game as a result of the RAP policy
      • Continue to use the techniques taught by USSoccer and CNRA to proactively manage behavior from coaches, players and spectators 
      • Review the example of behaviors outlined in the policy to re-evaluate the kinds of behaviors that warrant a response of some kind from the referee

The intent of this policy is not to see a significant increase in red cards for things that have not been red cards in the past. 

The examples found in the RAP, particularly under  Level 1 of non-physical behaviour, should make us all re-evaluate the kinds of behaviors we should be flagging as inappropriate or worthy of an appropriate response of some kind from the referee. 

 

REPORTING

USSoccer is working on a reporting structure.   For now (March 2025)

Do not ignore.   Address the first instance

Complete send off reports as in the past

        • If the send off is for referee abuse, send a pdf copy to CNRA at rapreport@cnra.net 
          • NorCal Premier send off reports will be automatically copied to CNRA - you do not need to do so
        • Even if a red card was not issued during a game in which a violation of the RAP 
          • Submit a send off or incident report