SC Soccer Referee Association

"Two Whistle System" not Allowed
April 22, 2010

To: All USSF Referees, Assignors, Instructors, and Assessors in South Carolina

From: Fred Bieber, State Referee Administrator - South Carolina

South Carolina Referees are reminded that the United States Soccer Federation (USSF) does not allow a “Two Whistle” system of officiating games sanctioned by USSF. This includes, but is not limited to, all South Carolina Youth Soccer Association (SCYSA) matches, all South Carolina Adult Soccer Association (SCASA) matches, all US Club Soccer matches, and all USSF Academy matches within South Carolina. 

Following is the complete text of this policy, taken from Page 39 of the current (2009/2010) Referee Administrative Handbook.   

Systems of Officiating Outdoor Soccer Games

The Laws of the Game recognize only one system for officiating soccer games, namely the diagonal system of control (DSC), consisting of three officials - one referee and two assistant referees. All competitions sanctioned by the U.S. Soccer Federation require the use of this officiating system. (Certain competitions will use a 4th Official.)

In order to comply with the Laws of the Game which have been adopted by the National Council of U.S. Soccer, all soccer games sanctioned directly or indirectly by member organizations of the U.S. Soccer Federation must employ the diagonal system. As a matter of policy, the U.S. Soccer Referee Committee prefers the following alternatives in order of preference:

1. One Federation referee and two Federation referees as assistant referees (the standard ALL organizations should strive to meet).

2. One Federation referee, one Federation referee as an assistant referee and one club linesman* who is unrelated to either team and not registered as a referee. (Only if there are not enough Federation referees as stated in 1, above).

3. One Federation referee, and two club linesmen* who are unrelated to either team and not registered as referees, acting as club linesmen, (only if there are not enough Federation referees as stated in 1 or 2, above).

4. One Federation referee and two club linesmen* who are not registered Federation referees and who are affiliated with the participating teams, (only if there are not enough Federation referees as stated in 1, 2 or 3, above).

5. One Federation referee, only if there are not enough Federation referees or if the club linesmen are unavailable as stated in 1, 2, 3, or 4 above and one referee is appropriate for the level of the competition.

Member organizations and their affiliates should make every effort to assist in recruiting officials so that enough Federation referees will be available to permit use of the diagonal officiating system for ALL of their competitions.

*Club linesmen (not registered as Federation Referees) are limited to calling in and out of bounds only.

Recent events dictate that we repeat this policy to avoid administrative and or disciplinary actions which will be taken against USSF Referees who violate this policy. Report any abuses or violations of this policy to Fred Bieber, State Referee Administrator for SC, fbieber@usit.net.

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04/22/2010