Legal Question in Administrative Law in California

Hi, a soccer park in my town gave volunteer referees a badge and the organization they worked for was places on the badge to allow ref volunteers a 3 dollars discount to get into the soccer park. I had gone to the local news to know why the park was in terrible shape such as the potholes in the street, the holes in the field, the grass not being cut, and the goal's nets having holes in them. The newscaster introduced me a referee volunteer only and didn't say which organization I was working for. When they got a picture of my badge it had my name, face, and organization name on it. Now repercussions are going to the soccer organization because the soccer park claims that I was speaking for the organization even though the news only said I was a VOLUNTEER REFEREE. Can they really claim that I was speaking for the organization? Or are thy trying to find away to give the organization problems. I also did not sign a contract with the soccer park to get the badge and the only documents I signed was for AYSO by laws an laws, which I have looked over to see if I can find anything, but I didn't. Here is the link of the documents I agreed to: http://www.ayso.org/For_Volunteers/resources/governing_documents.htm

If you can look into them, but if not it's fine! Thank you for your help, because I'd hate to have the soccer organization get repercussions.


Asked on 9/20/14, 7:51 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
James Goff James R. Goff, Attorney at Law

You do not represent the soccer association as a result of your participation in their activities. If you feel that your position was misrepresented by the media you can write to them clarifying your position was only as a citizen volunteer with the association and requesting that they print a retraction to their story indicating that you were a spokesperson for the association. You can also write to the public entities explaining that your questions about maintenance of the field and equipment were only the concerns of a public citizen and volunteer in the soccer association activities. Good luck.

Read more
Answered on 9/21/14, 2:44 am


Related Questions & Answers

More Administrative Law questions and answers in California