I'm a parent in rec girls U9 league. Per our league's rules, slide tackling is not allowed until U14 (at least for the rec league).
At the match this morning, a player on the opposing team was playing very aggressively, including some poorly executed slide tackles. The ref (a 50ish y/o man) did not call fouls or stop the game. A parent verbally complained after the second injury and was sent off by the ref.
I spoke to the ref afterwards, and he said that he will not call fouls unless it results in change of possession, etc. as a parent of an 8 year old in a "minimally competitive" rec league, this doesn't cut it for me.
Am I approaching this wrong? I think if the rules specifically outlaw slide tackles, then the ref should stop the game and make sure the behavior stops, especially if it is recurring.