Question Number: 24273

League Specific 11/2/2010

RE: Competive Under 13

Nick of Fresno, Ca Fresno asks...

Hello, I was at a game for CYSA North CCSL. The coach for the team had a emergency, he couldn't make the game. I presented the referee all passes to the U-18 girls. He then ask if I had a valid CYSA Pass. I told him yes, but my card was for U-12 boys which we are in the same league. The referee check-in the girls and the game started.Referee never asked for the Golden Rod Roster. Then at half time he went to go talk with the referee cordinator which he is for U-12 boys. The referee then came up to me to stop the game. I then ask in what grounds and why? He said because my name was not on the CYSA card for the U-18 Girls.I then ask for my coaches pass back he didn't want to return it back to me. He never gave me a send-off report or a Red Card. I didn't fasly do anythng wrong other then sit down as a Guest for the other coach that couldn't make it to the game. There was also another coach sitting with me with his valid CYSA Pass for his U-14 girls in the same league. He witness everything that day 10/17/2010. I read the bylaws for CYSA North. It states before the game every member team (including the team official) must present a valid CYSA/US Youth Soccer member pass to the referee. Referees are resposnisble for ensuring that teams use the proper member pass in CYSA games. So wouldn't this game be just a No Game or a loss. Now the Commissioner is saying their is going to be a hearing. The report indicates that I was coaching the team and on review of the coach's pass, I presented to the referees, it was determine that my pass is for the U-12 Boys. He then said in checking registration I was not registrar as a coach for the U-18 Girls. Therefore they are suspended from CYSA coaching activities pending a hearing by the District Protest, Appeals, and Disciplinary Panel. They are already condemming me for something I didn't do wrong. This was the referee fault for letting the game start to began with. Please give me some advice on this matter. I too have a license for Referee. Yours Truly In Soccer

Answer provided by Referee Michelle Maloney

We cannot comment on the rules of your organization, or how they implement or enforce them. Sorry to be of no help there.

As for the referee, while they should normally be aware of any league rules affecting play, the administrative rules don't normally affect play, and would not be a focus point for the referee unless the referee assignor, directed by the league board had made it a point of employment.

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

Leagues have differing rules regarding coach passcards. Some require the coach to be listed on the roster of the particular team; others only require that the coach be affiliated with the same club as the team.

The referee normally does not get involved in who may be in charge, unless the youth league has directed the referee to check coach credentials as part of the pregame process. This is generally done to legally protect the league and clubs, to ensure that there is a responsible adult in control of the kids on the team. Without adult supervision, there is no game.

Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

Each league is permitted to adopt its own rules regarding who can coach, and leagues may differ whether the coach must be registered once for any team within the club or must be rostered for each specific team. Indeed, some leagues have different requirements for coaches based on the age of the team.

One of the values of a hearing, however, is that the league's committee will be able to hear your side regarding what happens before making a final decision. Good luck.