Reference no: EM132118300

The United States Amateur Soccer League conducts soccer games and tournaments throughout the United States. Local soccer clubs may join the league and participate in the games that are scheduled through a national office. The rules of USASL include having the games officiated and controlled by referees. The referees are chosen by the USASL from players in the league. The USASL promulgates rules, and the referees must complete training and testing before being chosen by the USASL to conduct the games. The USASL pays the referees for each game they officiate. The USASL closely controls the uniforms the referees wear, the rules of the games, the choice of equipment used, and of course, the rules of the games. Gary, a longtime referee, is officiating at a USASL game at a public municipal city park. During half time with the teams away from the field, Gary carelessly tosses a game ball to the sidelines, where it hits a spectator, Nina, who is injured. Nina has never been to a soccer game, and is a guest of a player. There are no tickets distributed, nor any signs posted at the park where the games are freely watched by anyone. Gary apologizes to Nina and gives her his USASL business card as she is taken by ambulance for medical care. Gary is then invited by a player to an after-game gathering at a local restaurant. Gary is sitting with several players from a recent game, and orders and consumes several alcoholic beverages. A player, Andre, argues with Gary over one of Gary's rulings in the game, and they fight. Gary punches Andre in the face, and Andre is severely injured. Both Andre and Nina sue the USASL for their damages. Discuss the USASL's defenses to each; use legal reasoning to explain the likely outcomes.