Send Offs

Referee Abuse Prevention Levels

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

Levels 

• Non-Physical Level 1 = Verbal Taunting 
  • Words or gestures that
    • insult
    • belittle
    • insinuate
    • taunt
    • undermine referee authority
• Non-Physical Level 2 = Harassment / Intimidation
  • Language or actions that make the referee feel unsafe
    • Harassment
    • Intimidation
    • Retaliation
    • Abusive or threatening (non-physica) language
• Non-Physical Level 3 = Verbal Taunting
  • Aggressive language and threats of violence
    • Aggression
    • Attacking
    • Derogatory
    • Cyberbullying
    • Doxing
    • Threatening (physical) language
• Non-Physical Level 4 = Verbal Taunting
  • Discriminatory or derogatory words or actions bsed on
    • Race
    • Skin color
    • Ethnicity
    • Nationality
    • Social Origin
    • Gender
    • Disability
    • Sexual orientation
    • Language
    • Religion
• Physical Level 1 = Minor or slight touching
  • Deliberate and unwanted
• Physical Level 2 = Intentional Confrontation
  • Using contact to intimidate or provoke a physical confrontation
    • Pushing
    • Grabbing
    • Pulling
    • Squeezing
    • Pinching
    • Lightly slapping
    • Physical property damage
• Physical Level 3 = Violent Conduct
  • Physical contact that is malicious, violent, or intende to cause harm
    • Hitting
    • Punching
    • Elbowing
    • Kicking
    • Biting
    • Spitting
    • Choking
    • Tackling
    • Throwing an object in a striking manner