Category:RAP/FAQ: Difference between revisions

Yes, anyone can report Referee abuse through the RAPP process – Referees, Assistant Referees, AYSO administrators, coaches, players and spectators. Referees or Assistant Referees report potential abuse by players and/or team officials on a match report. All other people can report an incident on an Incident Report.

The RAP Program Administrator investigates each reported incident based upon the materials provided by the referee(s) and/or witnesses. As needed, the Administrator may have conversations with the referee(s) and/or witnesses to gather additional details and clearly understand the incident.

Yes, they can and should be reported by anyone witnessing such behavior using an Incident Report. Additionally, these RAPP incidents could also be virtual, e.g., postings on social media.

In most cases, incidents not involving the referee are not a RAP situation but should be reported either by the referee on a match report or by another witness on an Incident Report.

New referees may be surprised by confrontational abusive behavior by players, coaches and/or spectators. This does not excuse or mitigate such behavior and should be reported to the Regional Referee Administrator who can provide council on the most appropriate response.

Once the RAP Program Administrator receives the initial incident report (either through a Referee Report, Incident Report or any other form of communications, e.g., an email), it typically take 1-2 days for the Administrator to complete the investigation and issue an Investigatory Report to the RAPP Disciplinary Panel. However, depending on the nature of the suspected RAPP incident and the number of people involved in the investigation, it could take longer to complete the process.

Once the Disciplinary Panel has the Investigatory Report and documentation from the RAPP Administrator, it typically meets within a couple of days. There is a sense of urgency for the matter to be resolved quickly to ensure sanctions are in effect for participation in the matches the following week.

After the sanctions are finalized and communicated by the Disciplinary Panel, the RRA or ARA may, at their discretion, provide verbal feedback to the Referee involved in the RAPP violation regarding the imposed sanctions. This also provides an opportunity to coach the Referee on game management tactics used to de-escalate a challenging and/or abusive incident.

AYSO’s Privacy Policies prevent the public dissemination of the (i) Referee or Incident Report, (ii) the RAPP Administrator’s investigatory findings, conclusions and recommendations; (iii) the RAPP Disciplinary Panel’s sanction determination; and (iv) the details or outcome of a Due Process Hearing regarding the RAPP incident.

Sanctions taken against spectators are communicated to them through the Regional Commissioner.

AYSO’s Privacy Policies prevent the public dissemination of the (i) Referee or Incident Report, (ii) the RAPP Administrator’s investigatory findings, conclusions and recommendations; (iii) the RAPP Disciplinary Panel’s sanction determination; and (iv) the details or outcome of a Due Process Hearing regarding the RAPP incident.

Each violator's actions are investigated and treated separately.

In the case of Physical Referee Abuse, should a criminal complaint be filed by the victim of any referee abuse, the documentation created through the RAPP reporting and investigatory process will be provided to police, a court of competent jurisdiction, or a litigant after a valid subpoena or warrant has been received and responded to by the appropriate AYSO representative.

Abuse against minors is automatically subject to a “minor multiplier” resulting in triple punishment as shown in the Penalty Summary.

In-game behavior by a player or team official that is referee abuse has gone beyond dissent (a cautionable event) and abusive language or insulting behavior (a send-off event), so a card should be shown for such conduct. That notwithstanding, RAPP sanctions can be pursued even if a caution or send-off has not occurred. Referee abuse outside of the field or game would not involve a caution or send-off.

Suspension apply to all AYSO events. For example, a 4-week suspension bars an individual from any participation in any AYSO events for 4 weeks, regardless of the team involved.

The final disposition of RAPP sanctions, as determined by the RAPP Disciplinary Panel, are reported to the AYSO National Referee Program Administrator who, in turn, communicates that sanction to other associations, such as US Soccer Clubs.

Training materials are available at https://www.ussoccer.com/rap. Additionally, coaches may receive in-person training by the RAPP Administrator and/or the Coach Administrator.

Respect the Call education series is designed to help referees recognize the line, take the right action on the field, and feel supported beyond the match. Through practical guidance and shared standards, U.S. Soccer is backing referees to strive, grow, and shine in safe, respectful match environments.

• Part I: Knowing the Line – Emotional Outburst vs. Dissent
• Part II: Step In With Confidence – Responding to dissent with clarity
• Part III: When It Crosses the Line – Dissent vs. Abusive or Offensive Behavior

Additionally, all AYSO volunteers are required to sign a Referee Abuse Prevention Agreement Electronic Legal Agreement when they register as an AYSO volunteer.

Education and mentoring...abusive behavior is not to be tolerated. Anyone can report such misbehavior. Our Referee training materials are being updated to include appropriate training on RAPP and an overview of dissent and when and how to report potential referee abuse.