Zero Tolerance Policy

All coaches, team managers and spectators shall support and respect the decisions made by the match officials during the game. Failure to do so undermines the authority of the match officials and has the potential to create a hostile environment for the players, referee(s), and all other participants/spectators at a match. See Match Rule 15.

The Zero Tolerance Policy applies to all coaches/team officials, players, parents, spectators, and other supporters and officials participating in a BAYS program or event.

  • No one, except the players, is to speak to the referee before, during, or after the game. Exceptions: Coaches may ask questions before the game, call for substitutions and point out emergencies during the game, or respond to the referee if addressed.

  • Absolutely NO DISPUTING CALLS, during or after the game, no direct or indirect remarks to the referee to watch certain players or attend to rough play. Yelling, criticism, sarcasm, harassment, intimidation, or negative feedback of any kind before, during, or after the game will not be tolerated.

    Violators may be sent off and are subject to disciplinary action by the BAYS Sportsmanship Review Committee.

  • If Coaches would like to provide feedback about the refereeing, AFTER the game, log into the BAYS site and under My BAYS->Coach/Manager->Game Feedback click the correct game link to access a form that will send the feedback directly to the home Referee Assignor as well as to BAYS officials.

  • If Spectators have questions regarding particular calls, rules, or a referee, or wish to give feedback regarding a referee, they should contact their BAYS team coach. Coaches can file feedback reports with BAYS or speak with their club officials to get more guidance.

The referee has the authority to take disciplinary action from the moment they arrive at the field of play for the pre-match inspection until leaving the field of play/parking area after the match ends.

Required default sanctions for ZT violations: 

  • Level 1 ZT: BAYS Member Clubs track and monitor their own coaches' or spectators’ ZT 1 violations and impose sanctions as they see fit.

  • Level 2 ZT: a one game suspension. Violators may not coach and/or attend their cited team’s next* BAYS game once they are notified of their infraction and suspension by their club. It is the responsibility of the club to ensure the ZT violator fulfills their suspension. 

  • Level 3 ZT: a two game suspension. Violators may not coach and/or attend their cited team’s next* two BAYS games once they are notified of their infraction and suspension by their club. It is the responsibility of the club to ensure the ZT violator fulfills their suspension. 

*Next BAYS game(s) is inclusive of all BAYS competitions including regular season, Presidents’ Cup, BAYS Playoffs, and representing BAYS at MTOC. ZT violations suspensions carry over into the next BAYS season if they cannot be served in the current season.  

Red Cards issued are reported to the Ejection Director. ZT Violations are separate from Red Card Violations. Suspensions resulting from ZT Violations are in addition to those from Red Card Violations. 

Incidents of referee abuse or referee assault will be reported at the league level to MYSA and MSRC.

BAYS Member Clubs are responsible for making sure that the required sanctions are imposed and fulfilled or that a timely request for reconsideration is filed. A club official, who is not the violator, may request a reconsideration from the ZT Committee of a ZT violation suspension within 48 hours of the ZT violation notice being sent. 

The chair of the BAYS ZT Committee and at least two additional members of the BAYS ZT Committee, who are not affiliated with the violator’s club, will form a BAYS ZT Review Subcommittee to review the request. This BAYS ZT Review Subcommittee may affirm or modify the sanction, but the rating of the ZT violation will stay as recorded by the match official. 

The club will be notified of the BAYS ZT Review Subcommittee’s decision. The BAYS ZT Review Subcommittee’s decision is final within BAYS. See Match Rule 11 B. Zero Tolerance Committee.

In the event that a violator cannot be identified or confirmed by their club, if the unidentified violator was a member of the coaching staff, the head coach of the team will serve the suspension. If the unidentified violator was a spectator, the spectators of the team will serve the suspension, and the violator’s team may not have any spectators on the sidelines or near the playing field at their next BAYS game. Fans and supporters of the violator’s team must stay 100 feet away from the playing field or stay in the parking lot, whichever is further, during the game for their suspension. See Match Rule 11 B. Zero Tolerance Committee.

BAYS ZT Committee reviews and tracks all ZT violations and sanctions. ZT violations committed by the same violator within the current and prior three soccer seasons will be considered repeat offenses. Repeat offenses may also be brought forward to the BAYS Sportsmanship Review Committee for review. Additional sanctions may be issued.