REFEREES

Referee Authority

• The referee has full authority to enforce the Laws of the Game and MVSL rules.

• Decisions on facts of play are final.

• The referee may stop, suspend, or terminate a match for safety, misconduct, or outside interference.

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Pre-Game Responsibilities

Before kickoff, referees must:

• Inspect match balls and approve equipment.

• Check player equipment for compliance.

• Verify player identification and eligibility.

• Conduct the coin toss with team captains.

• Start the match on time.

Players must present valid photo identification to be eligible.

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During the Match

Referees are responsible for:

• Timekeeping and match control.

• Issuing cautions and send offs when warranted.

• Managing substitutions with referee permission.

• Ensuring injured or bleeding players leave the field and return only with approval.

• Maintaining control of player areas and keeping unauthorized persons off the field.

Only the team captain may respectfully request clarification on points of law.

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Abuse and Assault

Referee abuse includes:

• Foul or abusive language

• Verbal threats

• Spitting or throwing objects

• Harassment toward referees or their property

Referee assault includes:

• Physical contact or violence

• Spitting on a referee

• Throwing objects that could cause injury

• Damage to referee property

Abuse or assault carries severe league penalties and may involve law enforcement.

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Game Abandonment

A referee may abandon a match due to:

• Player, team official, or spectator misconduct

• Unsafe conditions

• Threats to referee safety

When a match is abandoned:

• No winner is declared by the referee.

• League officials determine the outcome after review.

• A detailed game report is required.

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Game Reports

• Referees must submit a complete game report within 48 hours.

• Reports must include goals, cautions, send offs, injuries, and incidents.

• Supplemental reports are required for serious misconduct.

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Conflicts and Assignments

• Teams may submit a written request to avoid assignment of a specific referee.

• Requests are honored when possible but not guaranteed.

• Referees who are also players must disclose team affiliations to assignors.

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Referees as Players

Referees who also play in MVSL:

• Are held to a higher standard of conduct.

• May face discipline as both a player and referee for misconduct.

• May be removed from assignments for behavior or certification issues.

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Respect for Officials

Respect for referees is mandatory.
Players, team officials, and spectators are expected to support a safe and sportsmanlike environment at all times.