This was just released, apparently everything is not copacetic.
"To all Discovery Division Team Contacts and Club Officials - URGENT - PLEASE READ AND FORWARD TO ALL PARENTS/COACHES/PLAYERS
After the 3rd week of Discovery Division games it is time to send an email addressing the inexcussable parental and coach behavior being exibited during Discovery Division games. This past weekend was especially out of control and the time has come to make some decisions about this type of behavior moving forward.
While the SCDSL and the Discovery Division are not the US Soccer Developmental Academy nor ECNL, this does not make it ok for coaches and parents to behave the way they have been. The Discovery Division is the Elite division in the SCDSL. Teams apply for acceptance and earn their way into this Elite division and are invited in to the division. It would be a shame for teams to not be accepted moving forward because parents and coaches can't control themselves which can happen. We have a zero tolerance for parents who can not sit down and enjoy their kids games and for coaches that take the position that referee abuse is the proper example to set for their players.
Therefore, beginning this weekend, any parent issues on the side line, whether it's one parent or multiple parents on the sideline, the whole sideline (for that team) will be instructed to leave and while that may seem harsh, US Soccer and ECNL would be a whole lot more harsh in the consequences they would impose for such behavior.
Coaches that argue with referees, encourage poor behavior by the parents and condone poor sportsmanship from the players will also be instructed to leave and suspensions will be imposed.
The parents, coaches and players in this division are held to the highest of standards and we simply will not accept intolerable behavior from teams that are "invited" in to this division.
Parents - complaining to the referees and about the referees gets you nowhere. Emailing me complaining about the referees will not get you a response. We have a policy in place regarding this and we have an On-Site Referee Coordinator to deal with referee issues. Attacking referees but verbally and physically, will only get the offender an extended suspension. The same applies to coaches. It does not matter what club you are with or what your name is. This type of behavior WILL NOT BE TOLERATED.
Players - Remember the suspensions for Violent Conduct and Referee Abuse. It's a minimum of 3-games and, depending on what the offense is, the disciplinary committee can add more. That's for the 1st offense. Another send-off for Violent Conduct or Referee Abuse is 6-games and your season will be over. Red cards also carry over into next season so don't risk the chance of missing the majoirty of this season and some of next. Red cards can not be argues away, rescinded or changed.
Club Officials - you may want to reiterate to the parents, players and coaching staff so that they understand the consequences of improper behavior and the risk they are taking of not getting accepted in to the Division next season. Maybe a reminder from the Club leadership to those in the Discovery Division will assist everyone in understanding the importance of proper behavior on the sideline.
When SCDSL staff and the Referee Site Coordinator have to sit on a sideline and baby-sit the parents for a full game, there is a problem.
When staff have to sit behind a team bench for a whole game, there is a problem.
When players are trying to calm their parents down on the sideline - that's a problem.
When a player who has been sent-off in a game and is sitting on the bench decides to run on the field and join in another fight - that's a problem.
When a parent decides that attacking a referee and putting in him a chokehold is acceptable behavior - that's a crime.
When a coach verbally assaults a minor referee and follows her to not just her chair but to the parking lot - that's a crime.
When a coach has to be held back by a manager and assistant coach to keep him from attacking a referee - that's a problem.
Please respect the referees - even the bad ones - and just sit and enjoy the games. We will deal with the referees if they are not up to our standards. We deal with them quicker than any of you realize so let us do what we do and please just enjoy your children and their games. Respect the parents from the opposing teams. Respect all of the players on the field and be a positive example for the players. Don't be the parent(s) that causes a game to be terminated in the 32nd minute because the parents couldn't control themselves so their child's game gets forfeited because of them, not because of anything happening on this field (yes this happened).
If you are that unhappy with the referees - be part of the solution and not part of the problem. Become a referee. But remember WHY we have the shortage of quality referees. Because they can't handle the constant abuse from the parents and coaches. We lost no less than 5 referees this weekend becuase of situations involving coaches and parents. Take this seriously.
We will be tracking these issues and we will be clearing sidelines and ejecting coaches.
I hate sending emails like this but the reminder was necessary and hopefully will help parents/coaches/players to understand that the Discovery Division is an honor to play in and everyone's behavior goes a long way ensuring the success of this division in the SCDSL moving forward.
Thank you
Michelle
"
