NLSA Introduces Referee Purple Shirt Campaign for 2023

Statistics are based on the county of Nottinghamshire in England.

PURPLE SHIRT CAMPAIGN

The NLSA has launched the PURPLE SHIRT CAMPAIGN to address the issue of abuse against all referees. Referee retention has become an issue, and many decide to quit refereeing because they faced abuse from players/coaches/spectators. Read more here ...

Campaign Rational

The NLSA Purple Shirt Respect Campaign will be implemented during the Summer 2023 Outdoor Season to address the issue of dissent against all referees. Referee retention has become an issue for the NLSA and its members in recent years. New officials are highly impressionable and sensitive to all forms of dissent. For many who choose not to continue refereeing, it is because of one or two incidents where they faced mistreatment from players, coaches, or spectators. People who were drawn to refereeing as way to give back to the game are pushed away by this abuse. The Purple Shirt Respect Campaign will aim to curb this dissent and make refereeing soccer in Newfoundland and Labrador a more welcoming atmosphere for all officials.

Significance of the Purple Shirt

The Purple Shirt worn by all new referees signifies to teams and spectators that this referee is new to officiating and should be treated with the UPMOST respect and encouragement while officiating matches. Mistreatment of these new officials will result in hefty suspensions and fines towards the guilty Clubs. Referees wearing the purple shirt will have the power to abandon any game where they feel they are being mistreated or abused. A Purple Shirt(s) will also be worn by officials who may be doing a game in a particular league for the very first time as a promotion

Campaign Outline - Rights of Referees

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     All referees will wear a Purple Shirt while Refereeing soccer in Newfoundland and Labrador
  • All Referees will be given their Purple Shirt at the start of the 2023 Referee season.
  • The NLSA will circulate a memo to all leagues and members regarding the program.
  • Referees wearing the purple shirt will have the power to abandon any game where they feel they are being mistreated or abused.
  • The NLSA will ask all referees to report any mistreatment to the NLSA Judicial Chair.
  • The NLSA Judicial Committee will then discipline any teams or individuals found guilty of abusing an official.
  
  Purple Shirt Campaign Discipline

Violators of the Purple Shirt Campaign will be subject to the NLSA Disciplinary Code and can face suspension and or fines depending on the severity of their abuse against the NLSA official.