Youth soccer referee quits over parents' actions
LOS ANGELES, California -- A youth soccer referee announced to the league that he is quitting because of parents' behavior.
Avery Krut describes some of the parents as "obnoxious, foul-mouthed and entitled."
He has spent more than 10 years as a referee with the American Youth Soccer Organization (AYSO) in Beverly Hills and West Los Angeles.
Krut told KCAL-TV he even got an earful from parents when he stopped a recent game to make sure a boy tied his soccer cleats and had every player check their laces.
"I should not be admonished from the sideline that I shouldn't be doing this because it's a game for 12-year-olds. And I said, 'Safety first,'" Krut said.
The thing that upset him the most is when he began seeing the children mimicking the parents' behavior and echoing their nasty comments.
Earlier this month, Krut sent an email to the AYSO community, mostly directed to the parents: "Your behavior on the sidelines has, for far too long, been disrespectful and you are damaging the children. I can no longer be involved with so many people who feel entitled."
"The gist of the letter was a call to action. Things have got to change," Krut said.
The national executive director of AYSO responded with a statement, saying how much he appreciates Krut's years of service. However, he added, "We are disappointed of how his tenure has ended with the organization. His comments and actions in no way represent AYSO and our core values."
Krut says he plans to ref again.
