Eastside FC Statement on Referee Abuse and Spectator Behavior

U.S. Soccer recently implemented a Referee Abuse Prevention Program, which took effect in March. Incidents of referee abuse are on the rise, and referee attrition is beginning to seriously impact our referee pool. In response, Washington Youth Soccer (WYS) has drawn a clear line: coaches will now face suspension for the behavior of spectators who engage in abusive conduct toward referees.

Unfortunately, our club has experienced this firsthand. There have also been several recent incidents involving verbal and physical altercations between spectators on the sidelines of recent matches.

Let’s collectively lower the temperature across our soccer community and channel our energy in a positive direction for the benefit of our kids. We want to emphasize that the overwhelming majority of parents and spectators at our matches are supportive and respectful. Of course, we all have moments when emotions run high, and even the best intentions can lead to missteps.

Eastside FC is committed to upholding the integrity and respect of the game. Let’s work together to ensure that soccer remains a positive experience for everyone—players, coaches, referees, and families. The game deserves our respect.

We encourage you to discuss this matter with your team and coach. This is an ongoing conversation, and we will share more specifics in the coming days and weeks.