Mass Youth Soccer Expands Misconduct Rules to Spectators

BOSTON — Mass Youth Soccer has expanded its misconduct regulations to include spectators following recent updates from U.S. Soccer aimed at protecting referees from abuse. The revised rules address inappropriate behavior, including cursing, yelling insults, and making threats by coaches and players. Previously, these regulations did not involve those watching the games, a gap identified by Mass Youth Soccer Executive Director Rob Holliday.

Holliday expressed concerns about the impact of aggressive behavior from parents and spectators on young players. “If you ask any child or any teenage player their experiences and how they feel when their parents are overly aggressive, they would tell you that they’d prefer to play without them there,” he said. He noted that this negative behavior has become commonplace in youth sports throughout the nation.

“There were behaviors that became normalized on the sidelines that really shouldn’t be there,” Holliday explained. “It’s not just a Massachusetts problem, it’s systemic and it’s a nationwide problem.”

In response, Mass Youth Soccer has implemented consequences for misconduct among spectators. Infractions can lead to suspensions or even lifetime bans from attending games if deemed severe enough. Holliday emphasized that these rules aim to create a more enjoyable environment for young athletes.

<p“That’s really the goal,” he said. “It’s to provide the environments that kids enjoy playing soccer in, that they will continue to come back and play soccer in.”