Respect the Game. Respect Each Other.
The Canadian Academy Soccer League (CASL) is committed to providing a safe, respectful, competitive, and positive soccer environment.
This Code of Conduct applies to all players, coaches, team officials, club representatives, parents, spectators, and other individuals participating in or attending CASL competitions and activities.
1. Respect & Sportsmanship
All participants are expected to:
- Treat players, coaches, referees, opponents, spectators, and league officials with respect.
- Demonstrate good sportsmanship in victory and defeat.
- Avoid abusive, threatening, discriminatory, or intimidating behaviour.
- Respect facilities, equipment, and the property of others.
- Represent their club and CASL responsibly.
Competitive soccer can be passionate and intense, but disrespectful or unsafe behaviour is not acceptable.
2. Player Conduct
Players are expected to:
- Play fairly and follow the Laws of the Game and CASL rules.
- Respect teammates, opponents, coaches, and match officials.
- Accept referee decisions without abusive or threatening behaviour.
- Avoid fighting, deliberate dangerous conduct, discrimination, bullying, or harassment.
- Represent their team and club responsibly.
Players are responsible for their behaviour before, during, and after CASL matches.
3. Coaches & Team Officials
Coaches and team officials have an important responsibility to establish a positive team environment.
They are expected to:
- Prioritize player safety and development.
- Treat all participants respectfully.
- Demonstrate appropriate behaviour from the technical area.
- Promote fair play and sportsmanship.
- Respect match officials and their decisions.
- Help control the conduct of their team and technical area.
- Follow CASL rules and competition policies.
Coaches should lead by example.
4. Parents & Spectators
Parents and spectators play an important role in creating a positive match environment.
Spectators are expected to:
- Encourage players positively.
- Respect both teams.
- Allow coaches to coach and referees to officiate.
- Avoid abusive, threatening, discriminatory, or intimidating comments.
- Remain in designated spectator areas.
- Follow reasonable instructions from match officials, clubs, facility staff, or CASL representatives.
The result of a youth soccer match never justifies inappropriate behaviour.
5. Respect for Match Officials
CASL is committed to providing an environment where referees can officiate without fear of abuse, intimidation, or harassment.
Disagreement with a decision does not permit anyone to verbally abuse, threaten, intimidate, follow, or otherwise harass a match official.
Serious referee misconduct concerns should be reported through the appropriate CASL process rather than confronted during or after a match.
6. Discrimination & Harassment
CASL does not tolerate discrimination, harassment, bullying, or abusive conduct.
Participants must not engage in inappropriate conduct based on personal characteristics or circumstances.
Serious incidents may be referred for disciplinary review and, where appropriate, to relevant authorities.
7. Violence & Threatening Behaviour
Fighting, physical aggression, credible threats, or conduct that places another person at risk is prohibited.
CASL may take immediate action when necessary to protect participants and maintain a safe competition environment.
8. Club Responsibility
Clubs are responsible for promoting this Code of Conduct among their teams and communities.
Clubs are expected to assist in addressing inappropriate behaviour involving their players, coaches, team officials, parents, or spectators.
Repeated failure to address serious conduct issues may result in action against the responsible individual, team, or club.
9. Social Media & Online Conduct
Participants should communicate responsibly when discussing CASL, its clubs, players, coaches, referees, and competitions online.
Threats, targeted harassment, discriminatory content, or serious abuse connected to CASL participation may be subject to review under league policies.
Legitimate criticism and respectful disagreement are not prohibited.
10. Reporting Misconduct
Serious violations of this Code should be reported through the appropriate CASL reporting process.
CASL may review available information and take action in accordance with the CASL Discipline & Appeals Policy.
11. Consequences
Violations may result in measures including:
Warnings • Removal from a Match or Venue • Suspensions • Participation Restrictions • Club Sanctions • Other Appropriate Disciplinary Action
The response will depend on the nature, severity, frequency, and circumstances of the conduct.
Our Standard
Every person involved in CASL has a role in creating the environment we want for Canadian soccer.
Compete with passion. Develop with purpose. Treat everyone with respect.