ATTENTION ALL CERTIFIED REFEREES

It has come to the attention of the Colorado Joint State Referee Committee that many of you are refereeing unaffiliated games. Any league or team that is not affiliated or is in bad standing with the United States Soccer Federation, including its divisions and /or other affiliated organizations is considered an outlaw team/league and their games should not be worked by USSF registered referees.

It is the Policy of The United States Soccer Federation, Colorado State Soccer Association, Colorado State Youth Soccer Association, and The Colorado Joint Referee Committee that all Federation Registered referees officiate games among teams, which are affiliated with the Federation. A referee's failure to participate in affiliated games could result in that referee loosing his/her badge. A referee who looses his badge cannot participate in State or Federation sponsored development programs and will lose liability insurance coverage.

The State Referee Administrator/State Referee Committee can refuse registration and refuse participation in these sponsored programs if the following conditions exist:

1. The referee during the past calendar year has officiated more games for unaffiliated soccer teams than for affiliated soccer teams
2. The referee has not officiated during the past calendar year a minimum number of games required by his state.

In Colorado we have no minimum requirement, but doing no affiliated games and only officiating unaffiliated games will not be accepted. School, Interscholastic, and intercollegiate competitions are not included in this policy.

The SRC urges each referee to fully participate in affiliated games. Affiliated games are the only avenue for the referee to grow, advance in grade, and receive the benefits of membership. While referees cannot be prohibited from working these games, we strongly discourage this practice as it only encourages outlaw teams and leagues.

Colorado State Joint Referee Committee