BISA REFEREE CONCERNS POLICY

As with any soccer match, there may be concerns about the referee crew that officiated the match. Per North Texas By-laws (3.13.1), the only 2 situations that can result in a protest of the game are: 1. A team knowingly plays an unregistered, ineligible, or suspended player; or 2. There has been an obvious error made in the application of the Laws of the Game that directly affects the outcome of the match, and the referee admits it.

The center referee is in control of the match. Only the referee can reverse a call, prior to the restart of play. No board member or referee can change any call in a game. If the Referee Director, Referee Assignor, or senior referee are in attendance of a game and the center referee wishes to consult any of them for advice during a match that will be allowed. But none of these persons can make the call for the referee.

However there may be concerns about a referee's actions or behavior that a coach would like for BISA to address. The coach should complete a BISA Referee feedback form for the game, which can be found on BISA's web site and sent to the Referee Director.

The Referee Director shall investigate the situation and may involve the appropriate Age Group Commissioner and the VP. The investigation should involve the referee(s), the coach writing the report, the opposing coach, and any board member that was in attendance of the game.

Determination of the investigation can result in: 1. Re-education of the referee in situations where the referee shows consistent lack of knowledge of the Laws of the Game or how to apply the Laws correctly. 2. Mentoring the referee at that level of game or at a lower level game. 3. Reducing assignments to a lower level game until the referee is able to demonstrate appropriate calls. 4. Not allowing the referee to perform games for BISA

If the concern voiced is regarding the inappropriate behavior of the referee and is validated by the investigation, the BISA board shall be involved at the next meeting. In a closed session, the issue with the referee will be discussed. Outcomes can vary from a reprimand, retraining, the board deciding to no longer utilize the referee for BISA games or reporting the situation to North Texas Soccer.

If the board decides that it is a case of Referee Misconduct, BISA will contact North Texas and have them address the situation. Per North Texas' By-laws (3.11.8) Misconduct of Referees When any referee is alleged to have committed misconduct toward any participant, spectator of a match or toward another referee, the State A&D Committee will hear such allegations and assess punishment concerning the Referee in regard to his activities.