Oregon Referee - Professionalism

The Professionalism Committee investigates and otherwise handles allegations of
unprofessional conduct made against referees, instructors, assessors, assignors
and administrators. This Committee can dismiss allegations if they're unfounded
and can impose improvement plans and punishment if appropriate. This is all done
within the policies and rules of the USSF and the Oregon Referee Committee.

Joe Cohen is Chair of the Professionalism Committee.

Click here to contact the Professionalism Committee.

SOME ADVICE FROM THE PROFESSIONALISM COMMITTEE

I’m not a full time referee, so professionalism doesn’t apply to me, right?

Professionalism is not simply a matter of a job. We are using the word “professionalism” in the sense that
USSF referees are:

A defined group of people (you are either registered or you aren’t)
With specialized training and knowledge
Who serve the teams but also uphold the higher authority of the Laws of the Game, and
Who are paid for their services.

So what does the Professionalism Committee do?

As professionals, referees are expected to serve the game with an integrity that goes beyond an individual
decision or game. Referees must act ethically in everything they do, without any conflicts of interest.

USSF has adopted the following code of ethics for referees:

(1) I will always maintain the utmost respect for the game of soccer.
(2) I will conduct myself honorably at all times and maintain the dignity of my position.
(3) I will always honor an assignment or any other contractual obligation.
(4) I will attend training meetings and clinics so as to know the Laws of the Game, their proper interpretation and their
application.
(5) I will always strive to achieve maximum team work with my fellow officials.
(6) I will be loyal to my fellow officials and never knowingly promote criticism of them.
(7) I will be in good physical condition.
(8) I will control the players effectively by being courteous and considerate without sacrificing fairness.
(9) I will do my utmost to assist my fellow officials to better themselves and their work.
(10) I will not make statements about any games except to clarify an interpretation of the Laws of the Game.
(11) I will not discriminate against nor take undue advantage of any individual group on the basis of race, color, religion, sex
or national origin.
(12) I consider it a privilege to be a part of the United States Soccer Federation and my actions will reflect credit upon that
organization and its affiliates.

For more information, see USSF Policy 531-11, which is available online at the USSF web site.

Nice words, but what do they really mean?

It is not possible to make a comprehensive list of everything referees can do that brings discredit upon
themselves and USSF. As one State Referee Administrator put it, “Every time you think you’ve heard it all,
along comes something else.”

Here are some things that have been issues here in Oregon:

		Avoid conflicts of interest. You cannot referee games in which a relative is playing. Games involving
		your boss or customers are also best avoided. You have an obligation to be sure that your assignor knows of any potential conflicts of interest. If you are assigned anyway to a game where you have a conflict, you must contact your assignor to turn the game back.

		Don’t try to manipulate the assignment or assessment system. For example, you cannot turn back a
		game you have already accepted to take a “better” game. (Note: There is an exception to this for a very small number of games that USSF wishes to receive priority over other assignments. State Cup and professional games are the primary ones that apply to Oregon referees.) You cannot turn back a game to avoid being assessed on a game that you think might be too difficult. You have an obligation to your assignor to promptly accept or decline an offered game. Except in an emergency, you should not turn back a game on less than 48 hours notice.

		Be on time. USSF policy for youth and amateur games is that the referee and assistant referees are
		suppose to be at the field at least 30 minutes before scheduled kickoff, unless your assignor has instructed you otherwise. Yes, there will be times that getting to a game takes longer than you reasonably expected. But you should not be habitually showing up 10 minutes before kickoff.

		Know the Laws of the Game. Referee judgment errors (was that a foul or not?) are going to happen
		and are not appealable. Errors in applying the Laws, however (such as giving a direct free kick in the penalty area, instead of a penalty kick) can, depending on the rules of competition, be protested and the game will have to be replayed. Law mistakes can create huge problems for the leagues, tournaments and teams involved.

		Don’t make inappropriate physical contact with players or coaches. While incidental contact will
		happen occasionally, referees should not be initiating pushing, poking, grabbing, etc. of players. Using force to break up a fight is almost always going to be a mistake.

		Have appropriate interaction with players and teams. Discussion with participants should be focused
		on the game, not your personal life. This is also not the time or place to set up future social events. In other words, referees should not be asking players for their phone numbers, for example, regardless of whether they are teenagers or adults! But you do need to check player/coach passes when requested by the association, league or tournament. Depending on the association, league or tournament, it can create big problems for them when you don’t.

		Do your game reports. As silly as it seems, since leagues typically don’t pay referees without a game
		report, we have had to suspend a referee who would not turn in complete game reports in a timely manner. That means the form is completely filled out, rosters are attached, and red carded player passes are enclosed, in accordance with the requirements of the association, league or tournament.

		Remember that off field behavior that reflects discredit on referees and USSF includes committing
		felonies. Seems obvious, but we’ve had at least two referees in recent years charged with major crimes. Likewise, if you are also a coach or player and are suspended (e.g. due to a red card), you will also not be able to referee during the suspension.

So what happens if I don’t do this stuff?

Minor items will typically be addressed by your assignor. If a formal complaint is made, you will also hear
from the Professionalism Committee. Many such complaints come from other referees, who are
embarrassed by the conduct of a fellow official, as well as coaches and administrators. If the complaint
involves a major issue, you will be notified of a formal hearing, which will allow both sides to tell their story.

The Professionalism Committee will not review complaints involving nonaffiliated games, including high
school and college matches. Referee judgment (e.g., did that foul deserve a caution?) will also not be
considered, no matter how much the coach thinks he can prove it was wrong. Any complaint must be in
writing. A formal hearing will not be based on anonymous complaints. Complaints may address action as a
referee, assignor, instructor, assessor or referee administrator.

If a hearing panel decides that a referee’s conduct was unprofessional, the panel will also determine the
penalty. The penalty may be a formal letter of reprimand, a suspension for a period of time, a fine, some
combination of them or expulsion from USSF. Any suspension or expulsion also affects the referee as a
player, coach or administrator. Decisions can be appealed to the Oregon Referee Committee and,
ultimately, USSF. An assignor still has the power to not use a referee, based on his or her professional
judgment, even if the hearing panel has not suspended a referee.

Professionalism

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