• Assignors will appoint match officials based on what is best for the referee and the game while 
following the requirements of the State Referee Committee and U.S. Soccer Policy 531-11.

• U.S. Soccer affiliated assignments have priority over all unaffiliated competitions.

• Assignors shall offer fair opportunity for assignments within U.S. Soccer guidelines.

• Assignors shall always function professionally and ethically.

• Leveraging U.S. Soccer assignments for other unaffiliated game assignments is prohibited.

• Assignors shall safeguard confidential information and must not share private match official’s
information outside U.S. Soccer.

• All communication (text message, email, phone calls) with a minor must include the parent or legal 
guardian. (Minor Athlete Abuse Prevention Policies –MAAPP)

• Assignors shall assign referees to assist in their development.

• A league, competition, or association may compensate assignors, but in all cases shall first honor 
and respect the State Referee Committee and U.S. Soccer affiliated game assignment best 
practices.

• All actions by a U.S. Soccer licensed assignor must reflect favorably on the State Referee 
Committee and U.S. Soccer.

• When assignors find it necessary to correct referees on the game turnback process, it must be 
done constructively and privately. If a minor is involved, a parent or legal guardian must be present.

• Assignors should provide timely upon request, the referee assignments of all affiliated U.S. Soccer 
games to the State Referee Committee.

• Assignors shall balance the requirements of the State Referee Committee, U.S. Soccer with the 
desires of their payee (league or competition) and the needs of the referee.

Revised August 17, 2021

USSF Referee Report

USSF Supplemental Referee Report

Use this online form to report referee assault, referee abuse, or other misconduct toward referees to the State Referee Program Office.

Read the definitions of the terms referee assault and referee abuse.

The report may be used for other reportable incidents by checking the "Other" box.

To file the report properly and have it considered for review and possible action, you need to submit it within forty-eight (48) hours of the incident, unless there is a valid reason for later reporting.

FOR YOUTH MATCHES:  CLICK HERE

• The online report serves as official notification and documentation of the incident.

FOR ADULT MATCHES:  CLICK HERE

• For incidents occurring at adult games, you must file an electronic report AND also mail a signed copy of the report to:

Excerpts From US Soccer Policy 531-9 — Misconduct Toward Game Officials

Misconduct against referees may occur before, during and after the match, including travel to or from the match. Misconduct may occur also at later times when directly related to duties of a game official as a referee.

“Referee” includes all currently registered USSF referees, assistant referees, fourth officials or others duly appointed to assist in officiating in a match, including club assistant referees.

"Referee assault" is an intentional act of physical violence at or upon a referee.

“Intentional act” shall mean an act intended to bring about a result which will invade the interests of another in a way that is socially unacceptable. Unintended consequences of the act are irrelevant.

Assault includes, but is not limited to the following acts committed upon a referee: hitting, kicking, punching, choking, spitting on, grabbing or bodily running into a referee; head butting; the act of kicking or throwing any object at a referee that could inflict injury; damaging the referee’s uniform or personal property, i.e. car, equipment, etc.

"Referee abuse" is a verbal statement or physical act not resulting in bodily contact which implies or threatens physical harm to a referee or the referee’s property or equipment.

Abuse includes, but is not limited to the following acts committed upon a referee: using foul or abusive language toward a referee that implies or threatens physical harm; spewing any beverage on a referee’s personal property; or spitting at (but not on) the referee.

Read additional information regarding misconduct toward game officials in the US Soccer Policy Manual.

US SOCCER ASSIGNMENT POLICY 

MDCVASRP POLICY MANUAL - APRIL 2021 

LAPSED REFEREE POLICY 

2017 - IFAB Laws Of The Game Questions And Answers  - Presented by Craig Lowry

2017 - Additional FIFA Notes on Offside and Handling - Presented by Craig Lowry