UPDATED SPRING INFO BELOW - CLICK "More"

Upon completion of every game, the Referee files a Referee Report. If the Referee indicates a problem - ranging from field issues, team check-in problems, difficulties with coaches or spectators, injuries, cautions (yellow cards) and send offs (red cards) issued during the game - then the Games Conduct Commitee reviews the problem and acts on it. If the action is within the proscribed limits as contained in the Rules of Competition, the action is immediate; if a more severe penalty is being recommended, the NCSA Board of Trustees must vote on the sanction before it is enforced.

NCSA GAMES CONDUCT REPORT

SPRING 2026 SEASON

Week 4 (4/25/26 – 4/28/26)

Week 4 of the NCSA Spring saw 425 games, which is the equivalent of almost 43% of the games during the first three weeks.  The weather hopefully will continue to get better, and the schedules will get heavier.

In the note we sent last week we had a few reminders, and will add more as the season goes along, as we sometime forget things.

·       Goal Safety: All goals must be secured.  It is the responsibility of the home team to ensure that they are secure.  It does not matter who owns the fields.  If they are not secured the referees will not referee the match.  They are entitled to the fee and they will leave.

·       Referee Assault: There has been an allegation of Referee Assault.  This matter has been referred to New Jersey Youth Soccer Association (NJYS).  The accused has been suspended pending NJYS completing their full review process.

·       Coach Dismissals: There were 3 coaches that were dismissed.  Unfortunately, they happened to be the only coach at the game for their team.  The matches had to abandoned, resulting resulted in forfeits and corresponding fines.

o   One of the dismissals was due to the coach not addressing spectator behavior

o   One was for a coach entering the field/leaving technical area to argue with the official

o   One for persistent dissent on the part of the coach

·       Coach Cautions: There were 4 cautions issued to coaches for violations of NCSA Rule 8.2.(improper spectator conduct). There were 9 cautions given to coaches for improper behavior.

·       Player Dismissals: There have been 9 players dismissed from matches:            

o   4 players:         2^nd caution in the same game

o   2 players:         Serious Foul play

o   3 players:         Violent Conduct

Games Conduct’s goal in providing this information is to keep everyone aware of what is happening within the league.

We wish all Clubs, coaches and players the best of luck throughout the season!

John M. Soares

Judah Zeigler

Games Conduct Co-Chairs

NCSA GAMES CONDUCT REPORT

SPRING 2026

As of 4/24/26

With the NCSA Spring season now three weeks old, and slightly over 1,000 games played, Games Conduct wants to share reminders and information relevant to this time frame.

A reminder that coaches are responsible for the behavior of their spectators at all times.

Minor Referees are identified with a Green Badge and highlighted in yellow on the match day form.  Sanctions levied in a match which has minor referees will be doubled.

Familiarize yourself with the NCSA Rules of Competition and the match day form.

If you find yourself dismissed from a match, leave the field immediately to an area from which you cannot be heard or seen.  Do not engage in additional confrontation.  Do not return to the bench to get your equipment, until the referee crew leaves, or if they are there for additional games, have someone bring it to you. Failure to comply with these directions will lead to additional sanctions.

Players and/or coaches serving suspensions are not allowed to be on the bench during matches.  Coaches are also not allowed to be with the team before (warmups), during or after the game.  Players and/or coaches serving suspensions are allowed to be on the spectator side during matches.

·       Two coaches have been suspended for the remainder of the NCSA Spring Season for “attempting to utilize players not properly registered and under assumed identities.  The coaches/club were each fined $300 per coach.  These suspensions will be communicated to NJYS.

·       A coach has been suspended for 5 games, after being dismissed in match, that included 2 minor referees.  The coach/club was also fined $500.  This was the only red card given to a coach during the first 1,000 games of the season.

·       A coach has been suspended for 1 game for excessive scoring in a match.  A fine of $75 was also applied.

·       There have been 19 cautions given to coaches for improper behavior, 2 of those with minor referees.  A fine of $25 was applied to each coach, except for the 2 with minor referees as the fine was $50.

·       There have been 3 cautions to coaches for NCSA Rule 8.2.3 issued to coach for improper spectator conduct (1 with minor referee).  A fine of $25 was applied to each coach, except for the one with minor referee as the fine was $50.

·       There have been 15 players dismissed from matches:

o   1            Denies goal scoring opportunity

o   5            2^nd caution in a game

o   4            Serious Foul play

o   1            Violent Conduct

o   4            Offensive/insulting/abusive language

Games Conduct’s goal in providing this information is to keep everyone aware of what is happening within the league.

Good luck with the rest of the season!

John M. Soares

Judah Zeigler

Games Conduct Co-Chair Persons