The Capital District Youth Soccer League (CDYSL) exists to provide opportunities for the youth of the Capital Region to enjoy soccer. CDYSL has implemented a Zero Tolerance Policy and has currently updated the policy to match the Zero Tolerance Policies of Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) and the U.S Soccer Association (Policy 531-9 Misconduct Toward Game Official in Amat) to ensure that all games are played in a safe, sporting manner and provide an appropriate environment for our youth soccer players

These Zero Tolerance policies are to prevent physical assault and verbal abuse in the leagues and clubs within the Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) and the Capital District Youth Soccer League. Nothing in this policy shall be construed to restrict or limit CDYSL, U.S. Soccer or ENYYSA from applying equal or greater restrictions to anyone in violation of the Zero Tolerance Policies. The U. S. Soccer Misconduct Toward Game Officials in Amateur Matches shall supersede any inconsistent rules of Member Organizations that pertain to assault, abuse, or gross mistreatment upon Federation Game Officials (i.e. referees).  (U.S. Soccer Policy 531-9 adopted 5/10/24)

This policy applies to all coaches, bench personnel, players, parents, spectators, and other supporters. Abusive, derogatory and/or obscene language, violent play/conduct, fighting and other behavior (including, but not limited to sarcasm, taunting, etc.) deemed detrimental to the game between the above-mentioned groups will not be tolerated. 

•  Coaches are to provide referee support, player and spectator control 
• Clubs are responsible for the actions of their coaches, bench personnel, players, and spectators
• Clubs are responsible to provide education and instruction to their coaches, bench personnel, players, and spectators

 This policy applies before, during and after the game on/at the soccer field, sidelines, and its immediate surrounding areas, including the parking lot(s) and/or common gathering areas.

Witness to a Violation of the Zero Tolerance Policy

• Any person who has witnessed a Violation of the Zero Tolerance Policy may file an Official Zero Tolerance Violation Report and submit a completed Zero Tolerance Report  to the CDYSL office (paul.bascomb@cdysl.org, cdyslpresdent@cdysl.org, cdysloffice@cdysl.org) 
• Any person’s name that has been recorded as being present at the time of the incident must comply with the investigation of the Zero Tolerance Enforcement Committee. 
• Each person and/or club that is contacted must acknowledge and return the Zero Tolerance Enforcement Committee’s phone call and/or email within 24 hours. 
• If the club President and/or Coach does not respond in a time specified, the club will be given a noncompliance fine.  (if the ZTEC investigator is unable to reach a coach or assistant coach, they will contact the Club President for assistance).
• Any misconduct against a minor-aged referee that arises to the level of child abuse under Federal Law must will also be reported to law enforcement and the U.S. Center for SafeSport

Penalties

• All cases of alleged mistreatment, abuse, or assault of a referee, which has been reported to ENY, will be immediately suspended from CDYSL play until ENY has rendered their decision. 
• Any cases of alleged mistreatment, abuse, or assault of a minor referee (under the age of 18) is subjected to triple the penalties.
• Findings and penalties are to be fulfilled immediately.  If the penalties applied cannot be completed in the current seasonal year, they will be fulfilled in the next seasonal year
• Any person that has a Zero Tolerance Report filed with CDYSL, will be subject to a full investigation by the Zero Tolerance Enforcement Committee and all penalties will be served immediately.
• If the the person wishes to Appeal the finding, the penalties will be continued to be served until the Appeal's Committee determines otherwise.  Filing an appeal does not supersede any findings or sanctions. Filing an Appeal guidelines will be stated at the bottom of the violation report.

 Definitions:

• Referee assault is any deliberate physical action against a Referee. 
• Referee abuse is extreme, deliberate, and non-contact behavior that causes a Referee or Protected Party significant harm.  Actions in this category may be subject to an immediate suspension, meaning that the perpetrator cannot appear at the next sanctioned match. 
• Protected Party means anyone that attends a match with the referee, (ex. parent, friend, etc.)

Assault and abuse include, but not limited to, the following actions or behavior committed against a Referee or Protected Parties:

1. Imposing physical harm upon a Referee or a Protected Party, including by use of object or equipment
2. Any act that endangers the Referee's physical well-being, whether deliberate or merely reckless
3. Any form of unwanted physical contact, including but not limited to pushing, hitting, striking, kicking, choking, or spitting at the Referee
4. Any behavior that constitutes a criminal offense under any applicable law
5. Threatening either directly or insinuation, physical harm including by use object or equipment, to a Referee or a Protected Party or property.  Threatening is defined as any statement or action that instills reasonable fear of acts of violence to a person's safety or property
6. Threats of harm or any retaliatory action against the Referee or their Protected Parties, including threat of exclusion from assignment or future participation

Gross Mistreatment is actions that do not meet above assault or abuse definitions, but cause a Referee or Protected Party harm, may be subject to U.S. Soccer's gross mistreatment framework.  

Gross Mistreatment means any deliberate, non-contact behavior that is expected to cause harm to a Referee.  Gross mistreatment includes, but not limited to, the following actions or behavior committed against a Referee or Protected Parties:

1. Severe or repeated harassment, including hate speech or discriminatory remarks base on race, gender, national origin, sexual orientation, disabilities, or any other legally protected characteristic
2. Extreme verbal attacks that would cause emotional harm to a reasonable person
3. Approaching a Referee when they arrive or depart the venue with aggression or intimidation 
4. Any form of cyberbullying, including spreading false information about the Referee, sharing the Referee's personal information, or publicly posting content that ridicules or mocks the Referee or uses hate speech
5. Questioning the Referee's character, integrity, honesty, truthfulness, or impartiality
6. Yelling insults, taunting, making, or expressing derogatory/belittling remarks towards a Referee
7. Pervasive action that belittles or undermines the Referee's authority or intended to cast doubt on the Referee   

                  

Please visit the following websites for the complete documents on Zero Tolerance ​​​​

Details of Conduct and Misconduct can be found Section IX, Section B, Section C of the CDYSL Rules and Regulations

Penalties imposed by the ZTEC can be appealed through the process detailed in Section VI, subsection B of the CDYSL Rules and Regulations. CDYSL Rules and Regulations,

Code of Conduct Coach, Player, Parent and Directors, Volunteers and Spectators; Section IX, C, page 23-24.