A zero-tolerance policy against abuse, assault, and racism — for all levels and participants in our soccer community.
We invite the entire soccer community in Southern California to join us in helping make our youth and adult soccer game-day experience the best it can be for all of our players, coaches, referees, clubs, leagues, parents, administrators, and fans.
We're always working toward good sportsmanship, where everyone can compete, learn, and enjoy the game equally. Unfortunately, we're seeing more incidents of racially charged, offensive, hurtful, and inappropriate language/actions within our soccer landscape. We have observed an increase in the overall level of hostility and disrespect during games between opposing teams and towards match officials.
By emphasizing universal respect, we can improve the gameday environment by setting clear "standards" for every type of participant. Our Respect Campaign is pivotal for recruitment and retention as we grow the Beautiful Game across Southern California.
"There is no winning without honor."
How do we build a safe gameday experience and a place to grow for every participant? Here's what's expected from each corner of the field.
Wear your "Respect" armband as a visible reminder that every gameday participant deserves to be treated with respect.
Adult registered referees receive a white armband starting in late fall 2024; youth referees receive a highlighter-red armband. Wearing instructions and further information will be sent by email prior to armband distribution.
Adult referees
Youth refereesZero tolerance for referee abuse, abuse between opposing teams, and any racism or racist slurs in any context. Immediate misconduct is recommended depending on the action per the Laws of the Game.
Report all abusive actions to the governing body, tournament, or league for maximum sanctions to be implemented.
Be proactive. Pregame conferences, clear verbal communication, building relationships, and stopping the match to let coaches or administrators step in are all recommended. If behavior doesn't change, abandon the match and report it.
Keep the players safe and the match fair. Follow the Laws of the Game to maintain control.
Share Respect Campaign standards with your coaches, players, parents, and spectators via email, and reinforce them at practice or before matches.
Keep the sideline clear. No parent or spectator should stand behind the assistant referees or behind the goal; spectators belong to the left of your home bench where appropriate.
Appoint a sideline monitor to help ensure a positive and supportive cheering atmosphere.
Protect youth referees. Referees 18 and under wear a reflective red armband — you should refrain from questioning or arguing their decisions. Voice concerns or opinions to an adult referee or administrator instead, per U.S. Soccer's SafeSport policy. Treat them as you would your own child; they're learning courageously on the field.
No challenging, harassing, or disrespectful comments directed at referees. Concerns go to the league, tournament, or assignors after the match, via the reporting system.
Talk to your players about respect and sportsmanship — for opponents, teammates, coaches, officials, other parents, spectators, themselves, and the game itself.
Refrain from directing an challenging, harassing, or disrespectful comments to referees, players, or coaches.
Enjoy the Beautiful Game. Mistakes by referees and players are part of it — no one is perfect. Judging referee decisions without the proper training, angle of vision, or proximity to the play isn't welcome or constructive.
Report misconduct by an opposing team or spectators to the league, tournament, or governing body.
Become a referee. Expand your passion for the game from the other side of the whistle.
Register for 2025 USSF referee certification →Share Respect Campaign directive with your clubs, teams, coaches, players, parents, and spectators — by email, social post, and on your website.
Keep the sideline clear. No parent or spectator behind the assistant referees or behind the goal; spectators belong to the left of your home bench where appropriate.
All referees wear a "Respect" armband as a reminder that abuse has no place in our game — white for adult registered referees, highlighter-red for youth referees.
Promote and mandate a pregame conference for coaches, players, and referees to build relationships through positive interaction.
Incentivize good behavior and sanction abuse to create a safe, fair environment for everyone.
Report abuse, racism, or misconduct directly — reports help leagues and governing bodies apply real sanctions.
The Respect Campaign works alongside the official policies of our national and youth governing bodies.
The Cal South State Referee Committee (SRC) and Referee Program serve all national member organizations operating within Southern California per USSF policy, with the exception of AYSO. The SRC administers and approves referee licenses based on U.S. Soccer Federation requirements and curriculum.
The Cal South Referee Program introduces a “zero tolerance” policy against abuse, assault, and racism for all levels and participants in our soccer community
We invite the entire soccer community in Southern California to join us in helping make our youth and adult soccer game-day experience the best it can be for all of our players, coaches, referees, clubs, leagues, parents, administrators, and fans.
We are always working toward maintaining a continued atmosphere of good sportsmanship in which everyone may compete, learn, and enjoy the game of soccer equally. Unfortunately, we are seeing more incidents of racially charged, offensive, hurtful, and inappropriate language/actions within our soccer landscape. We have observed an increase in the overall level of hostility and disrespect during games between opposing teams and towards match officials.
We hope that by emphasizing universal RESPECT, we can improve the gameday environment by setting “standards” for each type of soccer participant. Our Respect Campaign is pivotal for recruitment and retention efforts for the continued growth of ‘the Beautiful Game” in Southern California.
“There is no winning without honor.” – Juan Guzman Jr., Cal South State Referee Administrator and former FIFA & MLS referee
Referee Standards:
2. Zero tolerance for referee abuse, abuse between opposing teams, and any racism or racist slurs within any context. Immediate misconduct is recommended depending on the action per the Laws of the Game.
3. Report all abusive actions to the governing body, tournament, or league for maximum sanctions to be implemented.
4. Proactivity is key. Pregame conferences, verbal communication, building relationships, and stopping the match to allow coaches or administrators to provide support are all recommended. If there is no change of behavior, abandon the match and report.
5. Keep the players safe and the match fair. Follow the Laws of the Game to maintain control.
Club/Team Standards:
Spectator/Parent Standards:
League/Tournament Standards:
The Cal South State Referee Committee (SRC) and Cal South Referee Program services all national member organizations operating within Southern California per USSF Policy (except for AYSO). Our SRC administers and approves referee licenses based on the requirements and curriculum of the U.S. Soccer Federation.
Disclaimer: Referees, after receiving a license, are independent contractors and are NOT assigned by Cal South or the Cal South Referee Program. Referee associations and/or assignors are private entities and are hired by leagues and tournaments directly, and have no oversight or inclusion by the Cal South Referee Program.