Status of Y-League for Referees

[kevbrunton]

I was informed by one of the officials in my state's referee hierarchy (I'm not going to say what his/her position is because it would identify him/her just by knowing what state I'm from) last night that from the standpoint of referees, the Y-League is not a sanctioned league. He said that he was told this by the person to whom he reports.

After a discussion, here's my take on this...

The referee hierarchy runs up through the state level being headed by the State Youth Associations and the State Amateur Associations. If a league is not a member of one of those associations, then they are not a sanctioned league for using USSF referees.

The Y-League is sanctioned directly by US Soccer through its affiliation with USL. Therefore, from the standpoint of the STATES, the Y-League is not a sanctioned league. It seems that the State associations are trying to play another trump card in their battle with US Club Soccer and Super Y-League.

The referees get caught in the middle. I have been told that none of my Y-League games will now count toward my upgrade. I only had a handful, but I know others who have a lot. Also, several guys have gotten their upgrade assessments on Y-League U19 games and they will now not be acceptable.

Have you guys heard anything along these lines?

Anyone in the referee hierarchy in another state that can confirm if this is happening everywhere or are we here in Indiana just lucky?

[billf]

I've not heard this and think it's politicking and pettiness on the part of the state YSA. US Club and USL are both sanctioned members of US Soccer, so how could they not be sanctioned? The state ref office should be involved in assigning these games anyway. There are plenty of tournaments where both USYSA and US Club teams participate. If the regional director's leagues are sanctioned via USYSA, so is the Super-Y if both organizations are members of US Soccer. I don't see how any state can tell referees they can't work Super-Y games for upgrade and maintenence.

This hasn't been an issue in New Jersey.

[kevbrunton]

Originally posted by billf
I've not heard this and think it's politicking and pettiness on the part of the state YSA. US Club and USL are both sanctioned members of US Soccer, so how could they not be sanctioned? The state ref office should be involved in assigning these games anyway. There are plenty of tournaments where both USYSA and US Club teams participate. If the regional director's leagues are sanctioned via USYSA, so is the Super-Y if both organizations are members of US Soccer. I don't see how any state can tell referees they can't work Super-Y games for upgrade and maintenence.

This hasn't been an issue in New Jersey.

Don't assume that they are just because it would make sense. Everyone here assumed they were too. The teams in the Regional leagues are registered via the states. You have to be recommended by the states in order to play in them. So it's not apples to apples comparison. Just look at the State Cup rules -- you have to be in a state sanctioned league in order to be eligible to play in state cup (at least in Indiana and Michigan you do). National League counts, but Y-League does not.

I didn't say it wasn't politics and petty. I just wanted to know if someone else has heard anything about this.

[billf]

I haven't herard that here in Jersey. In fact our SYRA found the Y-League assignors. This sounds preposterous. If you follow the logic behind this, USL games would not count either. Does this mean A-League, Pro-Select, and PDL games are unaffiliated too? Super-Y is a ceritfied league through the USSF via the USL membership. It's impossible for this not to be considered affiliated.

The state really has nothing to do with this. This sounds like your state YSA trying to squeeze the life out of your local Y-League set-ups. The state office only has to register USYSA players and this has nothing to do with our ability to ref games affiliated with another USSF sanctioned league.

There's a pissing contest going on between the YSA and US Club in your state and the YSA prez is probably trying to strong arm the ref office to undermine the Y-League. In New Jersey, many Y-League teams are carded twice. Once by US Club and another by NJYSA for state cup. The two set-ups coexist quite nicely here.

[kevbrunton]

I sent an email last week to Julie Ilacqua, the Managing Director of Federation Services, asking about this situation. Here is her response.


The Super Y League is a member of US Soccer and US Soccer registered referees are authorized and entitled to work any affiliated game to which they may be assigned. [State officials] may not decide "for the referees of his/her state" who is affiliated with US Soccer and who is not. The membership with the Federation is determined by the Board of Directors and the National Council of US Soccer as a whole and may not be changed by any individual. Should you have any additional questions, please feel free to be in touch.

Julie

[refpat]

Kev

I just received a letter from IYSA, Illinois Youth Soccer Association. It seem that the contest is between the state associations and USSF. IYSA simply state that their (IYSA) insurance does not cover officials on youth nonaffiliated games. That is games not affiliated with Youth Soccer, these include, but are not limited to US Club Soccer, Y League, all adult games, High School and College games, AYSO games and SAY games. Be sure you know the affiliation before doing the games. I don't see that it is going to make much difference to most officials, only those involved in litegation or having to file an insurance claim. I do know that IYSA requires the claim to be filed within 30 days, so if you file with USSF first you may run out of time by the time you get an answer from USSF. If anyone has questions about insurance ask you SRA or call your state office to get it right.

[whistleblowerusa]

Super Y league is indeed sacntioned and games would count towards upgrade game counts. Julie has stated this as well in the above message. The states have no say in this. The states referees committees have no say in this.
Don't allow them to bully you into thinking it is so.