CMSA is quite alarmed at the number of emails, letters, phone calls, and misconduct reports it has received over the unacceptable behavior displayed by team officials and parents attending CMSA games. To date, there has been a significant increase in team official suspensions and the number of incidents involving spectators, especially at the U10 level of play. Types of unacceptable behavior reported have included but not limited to:

insulting and abusing the referees (and in most cases, a youth referee); adults yelling and swearing at each other; and in a few cases, verbal threats and physical confrontation. It has now got to a level where children at games are leaving the game frighten and crying. This type of behavior is unacceptable and not longer will be tolerated by CMSA and its member clubs.

Starting immediately, CMSA is instituting a ZERO TOLERANCE policy for abuse towards game officials and unacceptable behavior by any team official or spectator at any CMSA game. Clubs are requested to support this initiative with a similar policy and process at all levels of the game. Referees are a very important part of our game and need the support not the abuse. This type of behavior is totally not acceptable. Referees will be instructed to immediately dismiss any team official or spectator who is abusing them or is acting in an unacceptable manner, whether it is directed to them or not. If the abuse or behavior continues in any way, shape, or form during the game, the referee will be instructed to abandon the game, keep both team's ID cards, and CMSA will hand out discipline measures to those who caused the game to be abandoned. Note that the referee no longer has to dismiss the person from the game in order for CMSA to deal with. Any report submitted to CMSA by a g!

ame official will be reviewed and acted upon.

For team officials or parents who are identified by the referee or through investigation (a hearing may or may not be called), the following will be

levied:

(1) If the person identified is a team official, that team official and

their child(ren) will be suspended from ANY AND ALL CMSA activity for the remainder of the season or longer if needed, and will have to put up a behavioral bond before they can start coaching again and before their

child(ren) can play again.

(2) If the person identified is a parent, the parent and their

child(ren) will be suspended from ANY AND ALL CMSA activity for the for the remainder of the season or longer if needed, and will have to put up a behavioral bond before their child(ren) can play again.

(3) If a team has a second incident from any of its team officials or

spectators this season, the team will be removed from the schedule for the remainder of the season AND disqualified from all post season competitions (Provincials, Inter-Cities, Fall Cup, etc.) and from attending any tournaments or traveling.

(4) If CMSA continues to have issues with any particular tier or

division, CMSA will cancel post season play for all teams in that tier or division.

(5) If CMSA continues to have issues with any particular tier or

division, CMSA will not schedule referees for that tier or division for the remainder of the season and possibly for the indoor season as well.

Other sanctions may be applied not listed above if CMSA deems it is necessary and warranted. Remember that team officials are responsible for the behavior and conduct of their players and spectators. Clubs are responsible for the behavior of their team officials.

Your opinion of the referee performance is not an excuse for unacceptable behavior. Just like the players, referees are learning too and developing their skills as game officials. There is absolutely no reason or excuse for anyone to insult or abuse a referee, especially a youth referee. Across CMSA and soccer in Calgary, we are currently experiencing a critical shortage of referees to officiate our games. Over 50% of the referees refuse to come back the following year and the number one reason is because of the abuse from team officials and spectators. The worse group for abusing the referee comes from the Under 10's. If you continue to abuse the referees, you will have an increase number of your child's games being played without a referee begin assigned.

All team officials are bound by the CMSA Coach's Code of Ethics. Team officials are to follow ALL points on this list:

COACHING CODE OF ETHICS

Integrity------- The coach must act with integrity in performing all duties owed to athletes, the sport, and other members of the coaching profession and public.

Competence------ The coach must strive to be well prepared and current so that all duties in the respective discipline are fulfilled with competence.

Athletes Interest----- The coach must act in the best interest of the athlete's development as a whole person.

Personal Conduct-------- The coach must maintain the highest standards of personal conduct and support the principles of fair play.

Respect for the Rules----- The coach must accept both the letter and the spirit of the rules that define and govern the sport.

Respect for Officials------ The coach must accept the role of the officials in providing judgment to ensure that competitions are conducted fairly and according to the established rules.

Spectators are expected to follow of the Spectator Code of Ethics:

SPECTATOR'S CODE OF ETHICS

1 Remember that children play organized sports for their own fun.

2 Be on your best behavior.

3 Applaud good plays by your own team AND visiting teams.

4 Show respect for your teams opponents.

5 NEVER ridicule or scold a child for making a mistake during the competition.

6 Condemn the use of violence in all forms.

7 Respect the officials' decisions.

8 Encourage players to always play according to the rules.

Few other points to remember:

(1) Team officials are not to be running up and down the sidelines

coaching their teams. They are to remain within 1 meter of their bench at all times (their technical area) unless otherwise instructed by the referee.

(2) Spectators should not be sitting with the team during the game. They

should be sitting on the opposite side of the field from the teams (both team should be on one side of the field and spectators on the other side).

(3) All players (whom are not on the field playing), team officials, and

spectators should be a minimum of 1 meter back from the sidelines so the referee and people who are assisting the referee have room to move and see.

Lets give this game back to the kids and just let them play.

Good luck and enjoy the rest of your season,

CMSA Programs Committee

CMSA Rules Committee