Portsmouth Pirates Competitive Soccer Club

Zero Tolerance Policy

The Portsmouth Pirates Soccer Club fully endorses and supports good sportsmanship and fair play. Furthermore, the club is very interested in providing a healthy, learning and supportive environment for it’s players, referees, parents and fans . Due to the increase of abusive and intimidating behavior towards our referees and in too many cases, our youth referees, we have adopted a ZERO TOLERANCE POLICY.

It is the responsibility of ALL coaches/players/parents to maintain the highest standards of conduct for themselves, their players and supporters in all matches. Abusive, confrontational and obscene language, violent play/conduct, fighting, inciting, escalating and other behavior detrimental to individuals, the game and the sport will not be tolerated. A coach’s/player’s/parent’s responsibility for referee support and spectator control includes the times prior to, during and after the game at the field and surrounding areas.

All persons responsible for a team and all of the spectators shall support the referee at all times. Failure to do so will undermine the referee’s authority and has the very real potential of creating a hostile environment for the players, the referee and all of the other participants and spectators. Escalation to violence can easily result.

Therefore:

No one is to address the referee or make comments on or about a referees call or non-call while present at any Portsmouth Pirates Soccer Club Game (Home or Away).

Exceptions for Coaching Staff or player During Match:

1) Responding to a referee initiating communication,
2) Making Substitutions,
3) Pointing out emergencies or safety issues. All conversations are to be in a polite, respectful tone of voice. No sarcasm. No intimidation.

Exceptions for Coaching Staff or player at Half Time or end of game:

1) ask for an explanation of a call or a rule,
2) Polite friendly feedback. All conversations are to be in a polite, respectful tone of voice. No sarcasm. No intimidation.

Penalties:

Initial Minor Infraction – Verbal Warning
Major Infraction – Warning (caution) or Dismissal (ejection) depending on seriousness
Subsequent Infractions – Warning (caution) or Dismissal (ejection) depending on seriousness.

Exceptions for fans, spectators, others:

1) Responding to a referee initiating communication,
2) Pointing out emergencies or safety issues (Polite, respectful tone of voice. No sarcasm. No intimidation).

Penalties:

1st Infraction – The referee at the next stoppage of play, will ask the coach to quiet the offender.

2nd Infraction – Verbal Warning. Referee, at next stoppage of play, will ask the coach to warn offender that the next infraction will result in either removal of the offender or the referee will abandon the match.

3rd Infraction - The referee at the next stoppage of play, shall instruct the coach to direct the offender to leave the field. The referee will abandon the game if the offender does not leave the field immediately.

The Portsmouth Pirates Soccer Club may impose additional sanctions upon the offending individual(s) including: 1) suspension or dismissal of coach or player from team position, 2) Banishment of the offender from participation and or attendance at events, 3) Banishment of offenders family from participation in or attendance at events.

The Portsmouth Police Department (683-2422) and the Rhode Island State Police (849-4444) have been apprised of this policy and will lend assistance at a moment’s notice. In emergency also call (911).

Additionally:

The Portsmouth Pirates Coach, at all home games, will call all coaches, team captains, a parent representative from each team and all referees to the center circle prior to the start of each game and review our zero tolerance policy. Parent representative from each team will review zero tolerance policy with their respective fans and supporters. Coach may, at his/her option, accompany the Parent representative to the sidelines for the review to the parents.

Finally:

It is and always will be the coach’s responsibility for the safety of his/her players. The coach always has the authority to stop play and remove his team from the game (either temporarily or permanently) if he/she feels conditions are unsafe. A parent (obviously) also has the authority to remove his/her child from an unsafe situation. If the situation warrants it, please do it, while also abiding by the zero tolerance policy. A coach also has recourse regarding a referees performance via the game card or via a more formal complaint through the club.