Sideline Mandate Effective Immediately

(updated May 11)

The Spring 2026 NYSL season has seen a record number of spectator issues during and following games. To try to prevent this behavior from continuing, effective immediately your team and your spectators are required to sit on the same sideline for all remaining NYSL matches. this graphic shows how this is to be applied. In the event that a spectator issue arises you, as the team administrator, need to address your spectators immediately.

Unfortunately, we have also seen an uptick in coaches and spectators engaging with referees after the match. Engaging with critiques, feedback or questions with referees post game is not allowed. All teams have access to provide feedback via FairWhistle surveys and that is the only encouraged way to do so.

 Nothing good can come from a post-match interaction with opposing teams/referees, please discuss this expectation with your staff and spectators.