York Adams Interscholastic Athletic Assoc. Soccer Officials

The state has directed that, effective immediately, we are to minimize our interaction with the teams at the conclusion of a soccer game.  Specifically, we should no longer monitor the traditional hand-shake line that the teams engage in near the scorer's table.

1.)  Upon arrival at the field, officials should identify an area away from the bench and scorer's table to place their equipment bags, water bottles, etc.  Officials should use this location, rather than the scorer's table, during halftime.

2.)  Officials should advise the scorer that s/he functions as a member of the referee team and must remain completely impartial.  Officials should advise the scorer that s/he must remain at their table during the entire match.

3.)  Officials should advise the scorer that, immediately upon conclusion of the game, the scorer should bring their game book directly to the officials at the center circle.

4.)  Officials should verify the score, sign the book, retrieve their equipment bags, etc. and immediately depart the field together.

Rule 4-2-4 tells us that players are prohibited from wearing jewelry of all types, except for religious or medical medals.  A religious medal must be taped to the body and can only be worn under the uniform.  A medical alert medal must be taped to the body and must remain visible to emergency personnel.

Officials should never question a player's assertion that an adornment is in fact a "religious medal."  The term "medal" should be broadly interpreted to include any object that can be rendered safe by taping it to the body.  The fact that the official may not personally be familiar with the item's religious connotation does not justify that official disallowing the player from wearing it.  Instead, the official must direct the player to ensure that, if it is worn during the game, it must be taped to the body and it must remain under the uniform.  Soft sweat bands worn on the wrist are legal and are considered to be part of that player's uniform.  Therefore, if a player wears a "religious medal" of any form on the wrist, a soft sweat band is a suitable method of covering it if the "religious medal" is taped to the wrist.

If an item cannot be rendered safe and legal, officials must not permit the player to wear it on the field of play.  This includes the use of tape for religious and medical medals , minimum 1/2 inch thick padding for casts and commercially manufactured sleeves for braces.  Officials should never tell players that they must remove any item of jewelry, casts, braces, etc.  Instead, officials should tell players that they may not wear any illegal items if they choose to play in the game.  The distinction may seem subtle, but it makes it clear to the player, coach and parent that the decision as to whether or not to remove or cover the item remains theirs to make.