We first want to thank you for being a part of the Referee community in the Greater Charlotte area and in North Carolina. We are excited to work with you at CRO! Below you will find all the information pertaining to matches assigned for clubs playing in the National Academy League (NAL). A lot of this information may be familiar to you, however, there is always updated information each season. We are hoping that this information will now all be in one spot for you to find easily when you need it for each weekend.
Arrival: 30 minutes before kick off - If for any reason you will not be there 30 minutes before please contact your crew.
Arrival Attire:Black Polo or Referee Shirt (USSF, NCSRA or CRO Preferred), Track Suit, Track pants or Referee Shorts with socks pulled up.
Rules of Competition
Red Cards - If you give a red card please take a picture of the match report before giving it to the home team. Send Kevin & Colin a text message and fill out the form linked below.
Red Card Submission Link - Click Here - All information can be filled out in the form. Please include a picture of the Match Report before giving it back to the team
Referee Abuse, assault or any other major issues - Please call us and let us know what happened. We are here to support you and want to help with any issues that come up. If we don’t pick up the phone email us - CRO@CROReferees.com. We will fill out a supplemental report and submit to the appropriate people.
Referee Education & Considerations
Referee Payment
Charlotte Independence - TBA
Time Periods and Ball Size - Referee must ensure all balls are inflated to 10 - 12 PSI
U13: 35 minute halves (10 minute halftime) - Size 5
U14, U15: 40 minute halves (10 minute halftime) - Size 5
U16, U17 & U18/U19: 45 minute halves (15 minute halftime) - Size 5
Substitutions
Unlimited over 3 moments PER HALF
HALFTIME substitutions do not count as a moment
In the event of a head injury - A player who is suspected to have suffered a head injury may be substituted while being evaluated. The substitution for the evaluation of the concussion/head injury will not count against the team's total number of substitution moments in the half. If the players is deemed by a qualified to have not suffered a concussion, the player may re-enter the match at any stoppage of play and must replace the original substitute; this head injury evaluation will not count as a substitute moment. If the player is not cleared to return to play by a QMP, the replacement player will no longer be considered a temporary substitute.
Assignor Contact Information
CRO General Email - CRO@CROReferees.com
Kevin Broadley - K.Broadley@CROReferees.com
Colin Ashley - C.Ashley@CROReferees.com
POST GAME / Match Reporting
The referee completes match card with the following information: players marked off that checked-in, goals (time and uniform #), final score, and any red or yellow cards listed next to player's or staff names (including the reason/code why the card was given.)
Both coaches need to sign the match card, and the league recommends that the away team takes a picture of the Match Card
Match Timeframe:
Players can only play in 90 minutes per day across a maximum of 2 matches
Players should not appear in more than 2 consecutive match days
Match Ball:
Home Club needs to provide three Size 5 match ball must be used for all NAL matches
Hydration:
Home club must provide adequate hydration for both teams
Technical Area:
Home club must provide adequate seating (benches) for both teams
Athletic Trainer:
It is recommended that the Home club provide a Qualified Medical Professional (QMP) for all venues
Match:
It is recommended that the Home Club Video U15-U19 matches and upload match footage for U15 U19 age groups to the Veo Video League Exchange platform.
Spectators:
Home club must ensure there are no spectators/parents in the technical area or that sideline.
Each club is responsible for the behavior of their spectators
Match Length:
U13 = 2x35 minute halves, 10 minutes HT
U14 & U15 = 2x40 minute halves, 15 minutes HT
U16, U17, U19 = 2x45 minute halves, 15 minutes HT
Weather:
In the event of a thunderstorm, the match will be stopped, and all players, coaches, referees, and spectators should seek shelter
The referee can resume the match 30 minutes after the last sound of thunder or flash of lightning. The 30-minute clock restarts every time lightning flashes or thunder sounds