assault Archives - Cal South https://calsouth.com/tag/assault/ Youth and Adult Soccer in Southern California Wed, 24 Sep 2025 15:57:49 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=7.0.4 https://calsouth.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/CalSouth-CS-Star-Blue-Red-1-150x150.png assault Archives - Cal South https://calsouth.com/tag/assault/ 32 32 Cal South’s Zero Tolerance Policy​​​​​​​ Against Abuse, Assault & Racism https://calsouth.com/cal-souths-zero-tolerance-policy-against-abuse-assault-racism/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=cal-souths-zero-tolerance-policy-against-abuse-assault-racism Tue, 16 Sep 2025 20:01:22 +0000 https://calsouth.com/?p=16222 This fall season, the Cal South Referee Program’s Zero Tolerance Policy is in full effect across all levels of play in Southern California. Our goal is simple: to ensure that […]

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This fall season, the Cal South Referee Program’s Zero Tolerance Policy is in full effect across all levels of play in Southern California. Our goal is simple: to ensure that the youth and adult soccer game-day experience is safe, fair, and respectful for everyone—players, coaches, referees, clubs, leagues, parents, administrators, and fans.

Our Commitment

Referees have been fully empowered to eliminate:

  • Referee abuse (with particular focus on protecting youth referees)
  • Abuse between opposing teams
  • Racism or racist slurs in any context

Enforcement Steps

Step 1: Pre-game

  • Referees, coaches, and players must conduct a pre-game meeting
  • Respect and sportsmanship are expected from all participants at all times

Step 2: In-Game Incidents

If abuse or racism is clearly heard by the referee crew:

  • The offending individual(s) must be sent off, shown a red card, and removed from the vicinity before play resumes
  • Failure to comply will result in immediate match termination
  • All incidents must be reported to the league or tournament

If abuse or racism is alleged but not heard directly by the referee crew:

  1. Referees must STOP the match immediately
  2. Conduct a center-field meeting with the referee crew, team captains, and coaches
  3. Publicly acknowledge that an allegation of abuse or racism has been made
  4. Reiterate Zero Tolerance Policy approach towards abuse and racism
  5. Resume play, but remove any identified offenders.
  6. If abuse or racism continues, the referee must terminate the match
  7. Referees and coaches must file a report with the league or tournament in all such cases

Zero Tolerance in All Contexts

Abuse, assault, or racial slurs are unacceptable anywhere in our soccer community – this includes practices, sidelines, and team interactions. For example: Calling out to a teammate using a racial slur during the match, will not be tolerated. Referees may issue a red card regardless of context.

Our Shared Responsibility

Parents, coaches, administrators, referees, and fans all play a vital role in creating an environment of safety, fairness, and respect. Together, we can uphold the integrity of the game and set a positive example for the next generation.

Juan Guzman Jr., Cal South State Referee Administrator and former FIFA & MLS referee

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