Date:         Wed, 11 Apr 2001 09:21:27 -0400
Reply-To:     Discussion of Topics for Soccer Referees <[log in to unmask]>
Sender:       Discussion of Topics for Soccer Referees <[log in to unmask]>
From:         Vince Mauro <[log in to unmask]>
Subject:      Major League Soccer 2001 Season Dissent  Initiative
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"

-----Original Message-----
From: Theodore G. DeWys [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: Friday, March 30, 2001 11:46 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Major League Soccer 2001 Season Dissent Initiative


Major League Soccer 2001 Season "Dissent " Initiative

Major League Soccer (MLS),through its General Managers,Coaches,Players,and
Referees,are to make a concerted effort to eliminate rampant dissent in its
various forms from its games.

The 2001 Dissent initiative shall take the following steps:
I.Education/Communication
A.Education of Players,Coaches,Administrators
1.Video meeting with each team prior to first Pre-Season game
B.Discussion at scheduled Coaches Meeting (Fort Lauderdale)
C.Zero Tolerance policy in Pre-Season

II.Enforcement
A.Referees not to hesitate to issue a yellow card to a player whom actively,
physically,or verbally dissents on first instance (as per MLS questionnaire)
B.Referees to player manage,as has been their practice when a player is
carrying a yellow card and actively dissents.However,Referees are advised
not to ignore dissent,which is blatant,visible and prolonged and which
brings the game into disrepute.
C.Referees will continue to issue yellow cards for non-dissent infringements
even if the player is carrying a yellow card for dissent.Under no
circumstances shall a Referee not issue a second yellow card to a player in
a game when such yellow card is warranted for instances other than dissent.

III.League Support
A.Administrative Yellow Card
1.Referees who choose to keep a player in the game,whom would have otherwise
received a second yellow card for dissent,must complete a supplementary
report indicating same.The player
identified will then be awarded the appropriate yellow card penalty points
as per an "administrative yellow card " which may result in a suspension and
an additional fine if it brings the player over the 21-point mark or the
additional 11-point mark.This supplemental report must be completed and
shared with the teams prior to leaving the stadium.
2.In addition to the penalty points,the offending player shall be fined
$250.
3.Incidents of dissent not reported by the Referee or witnessed either on
video or live by representatives of MLS and/or US Soccer shall be classified
as "unprofessional conduct " and the League reserves the right to punish the
offending player(s)by applying penalty points and/or fines.

IV.Mass Confrontation
A.Following the English FA guidelines,"Referees who have been intimidated or
harassed by three or more players from a team must complete a supplementary
report prior to leaving the stadium indicating same .describing the
circumstances surrounding the incident,and should also identify,when
possible,those involved ".Mass confrontation shall be dealt with by the MLS
Disciplinary Committee as an incident that the Referee saw,but for pragmatic
reason,did not sanction.If Referees are inclined and are able to caution or
otherwise discipline some of those involved in mass
confrontation,MLS,through the Referee 's report of same, shall attempt to
discipline those offending parties the Referee was not able (or for
pragmatic reasons did not)discipline accordingly.



Ted DeWys
[log in to unmask]