Referee Resource Page

Looking to stay up-to-date on all the rule changes and information about officiating games in soccer, this page will help. For our young and not so young referees, you will be able to find all your information here. If you have any questions, please contact:

General Referee Procedures

The Palatine Celtic Soccer Club is responsible for coordinating all referees for the recreational House Program and the sideline Assistant Referees (AR) for all home games in the Celtic Travel Program. Travel AR's need to be Grade 8 (patched).

Grade 9 Referee Course - House only

Training for the Grade 9 Referee Course is specific to the small sided and recreational youth game. Completing these modules for certification or recertification (click on link: Grade 9 Referee Modules), please be sure to contact your Assignor@PalatineCelticSC.com with any questions related to training requirements and or testing.

As an affiliate of the Palatine Park District (PPD), our goal is to provide a quality referee program for our soccer programs and to support our community with job opportunities for youth and adult referees.

In an effort to maintain the highest quality referee program, we require that all House referees must be Grade 8 certified at least once by the U.S. Soccer Federation (USSF). Our Celtic Travel AR program requires that the referee must have a "current" Grade 8 certification and not have allowed it to lapse.

Referees under 16 must complete a work permit EACH YEAR. ALL referees must now submit a background check, one time.

Referee Gear

Referees must be attired in the official US Soccer Federation (USSF) referee uniform. There will be times when sensible deviations or allowances can be made, for example, during inclement or extreme weather conditions. In such cases, referees should make every effort to comply with these standards.

As a referee, you are an ambassador for US Soccer, the Palatine Celtic SC, and “the SPIRIT of game” itself. Embrace this honor with a positive attitude, professionalism, and pride in your appearance!

Required Items:

USSF Referee Shirt with USSF Referee Badge– short or long sleeve, in Pro or Economy styles.
Yellow is the primary shirt color.
Undergarments worn under your referee shirt should be predominantly black.
Your current year certification badge must be properly affixed to your referee shirt.
USSF Referee Shorts– Solid black with no stripes, designs, or markings of any kind, except for an official USSF logo and/or manufacturer’s logo (e.g., Official Sports, Score).
Compression or “bicycle” shorts worn under your referee shorts should be solid black and preferably no longer than your referee shorts.
USSF Referee Socks– Solid black with two (2) horizontal white stripes. For comfort or support, referees may wear extra socks of any color under their referee socks.
Solid Black (or Predominantly Black) Shoes– Clean, with black laces, and in good and safe condition. Acceptable shoes are referee shoes, running shoes, soccer shoes (no metal, aluminum, or steel cleats), turf shoes, or any other appropriately safe, closed-toe footwear.
Black Wristwatch with Digital Timer or Stopwatch– Stopwatches worn around the neck are prohibited. Cell phones shall not be used to keep time during a game.
Whistle– Referees may want to have two (2) whistles should one become defective during a game. Fox40
Coin.
Yellow and Red Cards.
Two (2) Assistant Referee Flags.
Score Pad/Paper and Writing Instruments.