Unaffiliated Games

The U.S. Soccer Referee Committee is concerned about the number of U.S. Soccer referees officiating unaffiliated matches. While referees cannot be prohibited from working these games, the Referee Committee requests that all state and local referee administrators strongly discourage referees within their jurisdiction from working these games. U.S. Soccer referees are a benefit of membership in U.S. Soccer and should be treated as such.

Here are some reasons why referees should not work these games:

1. No assessments may be accepted from games in unaffiliated leagues.
2. U.S. Soccer's liability insurance coverage will not apply when a referee is working in unaffiliated leagues.
3. If the referee is assaulted or should there be any other serious misconduct, there is no assurance that a disciplinary body will review and act on it.
4. The referee may not be able to fulfill state referee committee requirements to work a certain level of affiliated games to maintain grade.
5. The referee's U.S. Soccer Federation registration may be denied should the referee choose unaffiliated games over affiliated games.
6. Referees who have worked more unaffiliated games than affiliated games may be refused registration.

NOTE: Interscholastic and intercollegiate competitions are not considered to be affiliated or unaffiliated for the purposes of this policy.