The Brantford City Soccer Club is a strong supporter of making sport safe for our youth. Over the past few years, verbal abuse directed towards referees, players and volunteers has been a particular problem. Because of this, the BCSC is taking the following steps to ensure the safety and enjoyment of all involved in the sport of soccer in our City.
Policy
Any coach, or spectator judged by the BCSC Disciplinary Committee to be guilty of abusive conduct towards a game official, fellow coach or player during a BCSC House League game – including playoff games, will be reprimanded in writing. A second conviction, during the same season will result in them being banned from attending any BCSC House League games – including playoff games. In extreme cases, as determined by the Disciplinary Committee, the ban may be evoked after the first offence. This policy applies to all non-playing attendees at BCSC House League games- including playoff games.
Policy Procedures
When a game official feels that they are being abused, as per the scope of this policy, by either a coach or fan, the official will be allowed to suspend the playing of the game. If the abuse is physical, the game official is advised to inform the coaches that the game has been abandoned and then proceed with step 4.1. The official will then verbally advise both coaches that the game has been stopped due to the abuse and inform both coaches as to the source of the abuse. If the source is one of the coaches, the official will advise the coach that the next occurrence of a similar nature will result in their dismissal from the field of play and surrounding area, or an abandonment of the game and that a report to the BCSC Disciplinary Committee will be sent in for review. If the source is a fan, the appropriate coach will provide the official with the name of the fan and the coach must advise the fan that the next occurrence of a similar nature will result in an abandonment of the game. Further, a report to the BCSC Disciplinary Committee will be sent in for review. If the fan is not associated with either team, both coaches are asked to speak to the fan and ask the individual to leave. Once the prescribed action in step 2 has been completed, the game will restart with a dropped ball between the two teams at the location where the play was stopped. If the abuse continues, the official will be allowed to stop any further playing of the game and advise the coaches that the game has been abandoned and that a special incidence report will be forwarded to the BCSC Disciplinary Committee. The official must clearly indicate on the game sheet that the game was abandoned due to abuse.
If the abuse is from a coach or parent towards another coach or a player, a written complaint should be submitted to the BCSC Disciplinary Committee. Only complaints submitted in writing will be dealt with by the Committee.
4.1 The game official must contact either their referee coordinator or a member of the Executive to verbally report the incident within 24 hours.
4.2 A special incidence report, with the assistance of the referee coordinator or a member of the Executive, if required, must then be forwarded to the BCSC within 72 hours.
4.3 The BCSC Disciplinary Committee will then review and deal with the report as per their guidelines.
4.4 If the game was abandoned due to the conduct of a fan not associated with either team, the Executive will determine the status of the game.
If the game continues without any further incident, the game official is advised to inform their referee coordinator that the game was temporarily suspended due to abuse towards a game official. Further, a note should be made on the game sheet.