IFAB Laws of the Game changes for 2019-2020 went into effect June 1st, 2019. In Maryland, most associations (including MSYSA and MSSA) will be implementing them for their Fall seasons. Leagues starting in Maryland after August 1st should be playing under the new laws. This can be verified by your assignor.

This year’s Law changes are extensive. It is imperative that referees familiarize themselves with all of the changes. Here are links to a summary of the Law changes as well as a complete presentation of all changes and clarifications:

Summary of IFAB main Law changes for 2019-2020

MSR complete presentation of all Law changes and clarifications for 2019-2020

The Maryland State Referee Committee approves the following method of handling spectator abuse at MSYSA sanctioned youth matches:

If the verbal statement or gesture is abusive enough to be misconduct by a player or a coach and the spectator does it loudly enough to distract (much less scare) you, that is enough. You do NOT have to identify the spectator. Identification is the administrator, team official or coach’s job.

1. If the conduct would warrant a yellow or red card for a player or coach, at the next stoppage, meet with both coaches together and ask them to identify the abusive spectator. Ask that they insist that the spectator limit themselves to positive comments about the players. When satisfied with the coaches’ efforts, thank the coaches for being responsible and restart play.

2. If the conduct is repeated, stop play again. Meet with both coaches again and inform them play will resume after they have asked the abusive spectator to leave and the spectator has left the sight and sound of the field. When satisfied with the coaches’ effort and the spectator’s distance, thank the coaches for being responsible and restart play.

3. If the coaches say there is a team liaison, monitor, manager, field marshal, or other administrator to do this, ask them to please locate this individual and request that they appropriately handle the spectator situation.

4. If the coaches or spectator don’t comply, terminate the match and leave the field. Report it all to the assigner. The league and the MSYSA Adjudication Committee need your report to do anything further.

This 4-step course of action is a suggested method of dealing with this type of situation and is approved and supported by the Maryland State Referee Committee. Understand that you are not required to follow all 4 steps. If the conduct warrants it, you may have the spectator removed at any time. As an A/R, you need to inform the Referee if spectator issues arise. As a Referee, you must protect your A/R.

Please remember, as a Referee, you are expected to act in a professional and respectful manner at all times. In addition, referees also deserve that same respect regardless of their experience level.

If you have a problem at a game and you are not supported by the coaches, you should send an email to Greg Watson, State Referee Administrator (srawatsong@gmail.com).