Zero Tolerance Rating Guideline for Game Reports

Zero Tolerance violations by coaches, team officials, or spectators must be reported in the official game report according to a sliding scale of 0 to 3 where 0 = no ZT up to 3 = most severe ZT violation.

LAW #5 Referees/Refereeing Systems/Ejections/Game Report is in effect. All Red Card violations issued are reported to the Ejection Director.

Specific comments and descriptions must be included in the ZT violation section of the center referee’s game report. Assistant referees are encouraged to add details in the general comments of their reports.

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

In addition to including the misconduct in the official game report, referees are encouraged to discuss ZT violations with their Referee Assignor. 

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

Zero
Tolerance
Policy Level

Severity of Violation

      Conduct Involved

0

No issues

  • No direct or indirect comments or behavior related to the performance of the match officials

1

Minor

  • Minor/low-level comments or behavior that directly or indirectly undermined the match officials before, during, or after the game

  • Did not disrupt the game for players or distract the match officials

2

Major

  • Persistent comments or behavior that directly or indirectly undermined the match officials before, during, or after the game 

  • Disrupted the game or distracted the match officials

  • Failed to cooperate or persistently argued with a match official e.g. ignored an instruction/request

  • Cautions issued or should have been issued

3

Severe

  • Offensive or insulting language and/or behavior that directly or indirectly undermined the match officials before, during, or after the game 

  • Significantly disrupted the game or distracted the match officials

  • Ejections for ZT occurred or should have occurred

  • May have considered terminating the game

Link to IFAB definition of fouls and misconduct: https://www.theifab.com/laws/latest/fouls-and-misconduct/#disciplinary-action