ZERO TOLERANCE UPDATE
This is an important message from the Bethlehem Soccer Club regarding the United States Soccer Federation’s (USSF) updated Referee Abuse Prevention Policy and the Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) and the Capital District Youth Soccer League (CDYSL) Zero Tolerance Policies and their effects on conduct during the 2025 Spring Soccer Academy season.
The Bethlehem Soccer Club (BSC) exists to provide opportunities for the youth of our community to enjoy soccer. We believe that our membership supports the idea that all games should be conducted in a youth-friendly and family-friendly environment. Recently, the USSF ENYYSA and CDYSL have updated their Zero Tolerance Policy to support this belief. In effect, it is a ban on all overreactions to what happens before, during and after a youth soccer game with specific attention to any overreaction directed toward a game referee(s). In the next section, labeled DETAILS, you will find a summary of what all our game day participants should be aware of as they travel to a game, enjoy the game and leave the game. It is quite comprehensive and very restrictive, so you are urged to read this section to the end.
As our teachers used to say, please pay attention because at the end of this lesson there will be a test. In this case, the test will be to assess every player, coach, and spectator’s determination to be restrained at any youth soccer game they attend. A nationwide database has been set up to track these violations. It is hoped that at the end of the year there will be no Zero Tolerance Violations posted for BSC on this scoreboard.
If you would like to discuss this with a Club official in person, THERE WILL BE AN OPEN MEETING FOR YOU ON THURSDAY APRIL 24, 2025, AT 6:30 PM AT THE SOCCERPLEX. This new and untested update of the Zero Tolerance Policy from the USSF, ENYYSA and CDYSL has many implications that every player, coach, and spectator from the Bethlehem Soccer Club should be aware of as we enter the Spring season. You may also consult with your coach for details if you wish.
On behalf of the BSC Board of Directors, thank you for your support in this attempt to avoid even one Zero Tolerance Policy violation. Have a great Spring season.
Greg Maher
Current President of the Bethlehem Soccer Club
DETAILS
· US Soccer has updated its Referee Abuse Prevention Policy (Policy 531-9). It is designed to make youth and amateur soccer matches safer, more fun, and more empowering for everyone involved. CDYSL and the ENYYSA have updated their Zero Tolerance policies to conform with USSF requirements.
· You should be aware that the key feature of these policy updates is the elimination of the concept of due process. The policy stipulates that once a Zero Tolerance violation has been reported and found valid by a supervising organization, suspensions and fines are to be enforced immediately. No longer can they be postponed until after an appeal or hearing is requested and takes place. And no longer are they negotiable according to the latest information BSC has received. This change has serious procedural and process implications for the Spring Season.
· It means that once the Club has been notified that a Zero Tolerance Report is found valid after review by either CDYSL or ENYYSA the suspension and fines, if applicable, must be satisfied immediately before the subject of the action can return to normal activities.
· The updated policy’s purpose is to protect referees and restore respect to the game by preemptively stopping the disturbing national trend toward verbal and physical abuse and violence that has become a nationwide problem.
· It also expands scope of the rules governing behavior toward referees to all people attending youth soccer games and tournaments in the United States. It should be noted that any Zero Tolerance Report found valid carries with it a stipulation doubling of the penalties if the Referee abuse was directed toward a Referee 17 years old or younger.
· This policy applies to all coaches, bench personnel, players, parents, spectators and other supporters and referees. Abusive, derogatory and/or obscene language, violent play/conduct, fighting and other behavior (including, but not limited to sarcasm, taunting, etc.) deemed detrimental to the game between the above-mentioned groups will not be tolerated. The ultimate responsibility for the actions of coaches, players and spectators resides with the member clubs.
· According to USSF, ENYYSA and CDYSL guidelines these suspensions and fines must be imposed by BSC. The penalties must be satisfied before any appeal is launched or hearing requested. These guidelines leave no room for negotiations. Findings and sanctions are to be applied and satisfied immediately once BSC receives notice of a Zero Tolerance violation.
· CDYSL has announced that fines attached to a Zero Tolerance Report will begin at $1,000.
· If a subject of a Zero Tolerance Report chooses to appeal the findings and sanctions with CDYSL or requests a hearing with ENYYSA to remove the sanction and fine in the case of referee abuse, directions on how to do this are stated at the bottom of the violation report and will be passed on to the individual involved. Submitting an appeal to CDYSL or request for a hearing from the ENYYSA, in all Zero Tolerance cases, does not supersede any finding or sanction. It comes after they are put into force.
· Any finding and/or sanction will be fulfilled in the current seasonal year. If the findings and sanctions are unfulfilled at the end of the CDYSL seasonal year, they are to be continued to the next seasons until complete. This will be tracked on a nationwide database.
· Further information on the new Zero Tolerance Policy and its guidelines for sanctions can be found on the CDYSL website (cdysl.org).
· You and your family are encouraged to cheer on your favorite team. But please, refrain from directing any of your comments or coaching tips toward the field. Until it is clear what the actual effects and consequences it will be prudent to avoid even the appearance of a complaint or criticism toward the field or toward a referee.
· IF YOU ARE IN DOUBT CHECK WITH YOUR COACH AND FOLLOW THE COACHES ADVICE.
· You will be kept up to date as more information becomes available about the consequences of this updated Zero Tolerance Policy you will be notified.
· If you would like to discuss this with a Club official, in person, THERE WILL BE A MEMBERSHIP GATHERING ON THURSDAY APRIL 24, 2025, AT 6:30 PM. All members and staff are invited to attend.
Thank you and have a great soccer season!
