Racism is on the rise in the world of recreational soccer in Winnipeg, according to a league official.

"Right now there seems to be an underlying tone of racism, with racist comments from player to player within our programs," Rocky Moudgill, executive director for the Winnipeg Youth Soccer Association, told CBC News.

Moudgill's comments come in the wake of two disciplinary hearings the league held this week over words exchanged during recent games.

One hearing addressed a game of 15-year-old girls that had to be cancelled after the coaches of the Whyte Ridge and Riverview teams became involved in what was described as a serious verbal altercation.

The other hearing concerned a game between the Lord Roberts and Winnakwa community clubs' under-18 boys teams in which racial remarks were made about one of the players.

The results of the disciplinary hearings have not been made public.

"I really can't understand why something like that would be happening, considering the multicultural society that we have here," Moudgill said.

Moudgill said the disrespect seems to be coming from everyone on the field at soccer games.

"This seems, unfortunately, to be becoming the norm, especially this season where there seems to be a lot of disrespect being shown amongst the players, the coaches, the coaches to players, coaches to coaches and towards the officials," he said.

"It's quite disappointing to have a season take place like it has so far."