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respect the call

U.S. Soccer Referee Abuse Prevention

By Kurt Bliefernich | February 4, 2025

The rules towards referee abuse have changed.   Effective March 2025 U.S. Soccer has updated their referee abuse policies.  The policy updates include clearer definitions of physical and non-physical abuse as well as stronger suspension for referee abuse. The rules dictate that reports of abuse will be forwarded directly to governing bodies from the referees and…

EDP vs Non-EDP

By Kurt Bliefernich | June 29, 2024

The Elite Development Program (EDP), founded in 1999,  is one of the largest organizers of youth soccer leagues and tournaments in the U.S. EDP operates youth leagues for boys and girls ages 8-19, conducts a Futures program for players ages 7-10, and operates U20/23 men’s and women’s leagues. EDP also runs over 20 tournaments each…