SISL SEASONAL RULES & INSTRUCTIONS TO TEAMS
Revised September 5, 2009
Player registrations :
Players are to register during the league scheduled registration period. A member from your team may register you if all required information and fees are submitted at that time.
Returning players that don't take the time to register during the regularly scheduled time will pay a $15.00 late fee and the player and or team could be placed in bad standing. There is no excuse for not registering on time.
You must be 16 years of age or older to play in the Southern Idaho Soccer League.
Southern Idaho Soccer League, Inc. does not discriminate against any person on the basis of race, color or religion.
All fees are non-refundable.
Team registrations :
Teams must register by the date set forth by the league each season. Remember that the SISL is an invitational league and there is no guarantee that your team will be automatically accepted. There are several factors that are taken in consideration including but not limited to the following:
• Is your team in bad standing with the league?
• Were there disciplinary actions taken against teammates last season?
• Are the brackets even in the division you are applying for?
• Is there space available to add another team?
• Are there enough fields and referees to handle the number of teams?
Awards :
Awards will be given to teams placing first and second in their respective divisions. The awards will be given to team representatives at the preceding season's General Captain and Player Meeting. Awards that are not retrieved prior to the start of the next soccer season will be recycled.
Rescheduling Games:
Teams wishing to reschedule league games must contact the League Scheduler a minimum of 4 days prior to game to be rescheduled. The team making the request must pay a $40.00 rescheduling fee. The opposing team must agree to reschedule the match. ALL FEES ARE NON-REFUNDABLE
Game Scores :
A Team representative must submit game scores by Monday evening following each weekend of league play. Scores can be emailed or you can leave a telephone message with the score keeper. League standings will be updated weekly. Failure to report scores can put a team in bad standing. Yes, even the loosing team is responsible for reporting the scores. There is a direct link from the league web page for reporting the scores.
Net & Flags :
Are the responsibility of each team. The net and flags must be league approved. Corner flags must be 50 inches tall with flag and must be in good repair. The net must be in good repair and must be secured to goal frame and have at least 5 ground fasteners. You must have a net and two (2) corner flags for each game.Failure to have a net and two flags will result in a forfeiture of the game and a league fine of $40.00 to be paid prior to playing next game and you will pay for the referees. At this point your team will be listed as in bad standing with the league which means your team could be removed from the league or not invited back.
Soccer Field Locations :
Can change with each season. Please see the website for fields to be used for each season and the locations. Schedules are posted on the web page with field locations.
Keeping fields clean :
All teams are responsible for keeping the areas around the soccer fields clean. If you bring it then remove it. Teams that leave trash can be placed in bad standing and face suspension. (Look under Disciplinary Action.)
General Playing Rules:
• Teams must give the referee a type-printed roster for the game. Illegible rosters will not be accepted and the referee has the option to not start the game.
. Players may change teams only once during the season.
• All team players must wear the same colored jerseys with numbers on the back of the uniform.
• When both teams have the same primary jersey color, the Home Team will have choice of jersey color. The team listed second must have alternate colored jerseys available. Check the ‘Team List' to avoid conflicts in jersey color.
• Players must wear shin guards. Shin guards must cover at least half of the leg shin. Socks must cover shin guards.
• Players with bleeding wounds must leave the field immediately. The player may return when blood is removed and the wound has stopped bleeding.
• After a stop in the game, the ball can be played with just a touch and no longer has to move half the ball diameter.
• Player substitutions can be made at any stoppage of play ( at the referee's discretion ), after goals are scored or to substitute an injured player.
• Women's teams in the open league can have a maximum roster of 18 players. EXCEPTION: SISL TEAMS. Contact executive board for roster adjustments.
• All players in the Over 30 League must be at least 30 years of age.
• When Men's over 30 has Div. A & B , premier players can play in Over 30-A. No premier players in Men's over-30 B rec division.
• Referee fees for combined over 30 leagues will be same as 30B.
• All over 40 players in the Over 40 League must be at least 40 years of age- EXCEPT the goalie (must be over 30-can only play goalie position.)
Player passes :
You must present the current player pass prior to playing in any league game. The player pass is to be turned in at the end of each season. Teams that do not turn their player passes in will be placed in bad standing.
Keepers:
• The keeper may take as many steps as they want, however they are only permitted 6 seconds to put the ball back in play.
• The keepers can not pick up a ball resulting from a throw-in by their own player.
GAME ROSTER MUST BE PRINTED / TYPED (FULL NAMES) ON A “BLUE CARD-SIDE 1” FORM – available on the web site.
Disciplinary Action:
• CONTACT FOR FINES & DISPCIPLINARY FEES-see the web page for contact information. REMEMBER, you are the one responsible for taking the action to contact the league about your disciplinary issues.
• Arrangements to pick-up player cards and check fine amounts after game suspensions can be made with Marcie Leatham at sisl.reports@gmail.com.
• Red card or other misconduct penalties may be appealed to the SISL Disciplinary Board. To file an appeal you must contact Marcie Leatham, ( sisl.reports@gmail.com) by Monday evening post game.
• State Appeals: Go to the web page for further information.
• SISL disciplinary actions may be appealed to the Idaho State Soccer Association, contact Paul Scherer at 376-1635 for more information.
Playing on two teams :
Players can not play for more than one team at a time in the same league. Players in the open league (Premire, Div I, II, III) can also play in the over 30 league and/or the over 40 league. THESE ARE THREE SEPARATE "LEAGUES" GOVERNED BY THE SISL
Team Payment to Referees :
• Teams are responsible for payment of the referees prior to each game. Failure to do so will lead to removal of the team form the league. Team and player fees are non refundable for such disciplinary action.
• Helpful hint to Team Captains, collect all referee fees from players prior to the season. Get 8 envelopes and place the necessary cash in each. Before each game, put a referee fee envelope, blue roster card and player cards in your soccer bag. Then you're ready to go! If you collect at the field prior to each game you run the risk of not having enough money or wrong change. Teams not paying referees will be immediately expelled from the League with no refund of team or players fees. Don't risk it just plan ahead!
See the FEE Structure for Referees on our Referee page: sislsoccer.com/Referees.htm
Team Providing 1 assistant referees (linesman):
For each season, each SISL Teams will provide two USSF certified referees to officiate or line (assistant referee) games. You may already know certified referees willing to officiate or a friend, family member, or player within each respective team interested in refereeing. SISL will provide and pay for training individuals not currently certified. Each team’s AR (assistant referee) could expect to line 4 to 5 games each. Individuals wishing additional games can make requests through SISL’s Referee Assignor at sisl.refassignor@gmail.com.
Optional payment plan:
Teams unable or not willing to provide volunteer referees have another option. Teams may still register by paying $150 per assistant referee not provided on the team registration form. Monies will be used to fill the gap in service left by that team and aid in continued expansion and training of local referee services for adult soccer. A team not meeting their obligation for a season will be assessed a BONDING FEE for the said amount due at the time of team registration.
Referees play for free!:
Referees that officiate and play in the SISL will have his or her players fees paid for by the League in appreciation for their extra efforts promoting adult soccer.
Players who do not pay a player fee and do not fulfill their obligation will be assesed that player fee amount BEFORE they can register for the next season.
Player verbal abuse toward Referees:
There is a large turnover of referees every season due in large part to verbal abuse and/or threats directed towards referees. The League will be more active in protecting referees from this type of behavior. Verbal abuse does not have to happen in sports. Remember many of these referees and linesmen are coming from our own racks! They are out there trying to improve soccer for everyone, treat him or her with respect. (See Referee Abuse under Disciplinary Action)
Who to contact about referee assignments: Questions and comments may be directed to SISL's Referee Assignor sisl.refassignor@gmail.com.
Payment of Fees to SISL All fees will be made in the form of a cashiers check, money order or cash. Personal checks will not be accepted.
DISCIPLINARY ACTION INVOLVING CAUTIONS AND EJECTIONS :
1. Your only hearing option for sanctions from referee issued Cautions and Ejections that do not go past one year will be the League Disciplinary Committee and it's Chairperson. You are not allowed to appeal such sanctions or action further to the league or the state association.
2. You do not have to have a Disciplinary Hearing unless you so choose. But you are responsible to make arrangements for such a hearing or to pick-up player cards and pay fines through the Chairman of the Disciplinary Committee.
3. To schedule a Hearing you must contact the Chairman of the Disciplinary Committee by Monday evening following your game. The Disciplinary Board will arrange to hear your appeal prior to the next game.
4. There is a $40.00 Disciplinary Hearing Fee that must be paid prior to the start of any hearing. The fee can be paid by cash, cashiers check or money order.
5. All fines or fees must be paid in cash, cashiers check or money order only.
Cautions/Yellow cards :
• Players receiving an accumulation of three (3) Yellow cards will pay a $15.00 fine, to be paid prior to signing up each season. Individuals can pay the fine at anytime. But it must be paid prior to registering for the next season of play. The 4th & 5th yellow cards are $5 each.
• Players receiving more than five (5) Yellow Cards in a season will sit out the the remainder of the season, the next season, and will pay a $40.00 fine. All fines must be paid prior to a player registering to play in the league. Teams that allow players to play that have not paid their fines will forfeit any game that player played in and faces other sanctions as outlined in these rules and policies.
• Teams receiving more than 10 Yellow Cards in a season will sit out the following season. The individual players must pay the fines as outlined above plus the team will pay a $100.00 fine prior to registering their team the next season back. All fines must be paid prior to registration.
• Should a player receive a second caution or yellow card in a game and thus ejected from the game; the fine is the same as a red card. Unless the second card is a direct red for violent conduct then the player is fined for both the caution and the violent red card.
• Check the yellow and red card list as needed on the website.
Ejections/Red Cards:
Red card or other misconduct penalties may be appealed to the SISL Disciplinary Board. To file an appeal you must contact the SISL Disciplinary Board, (sisl.reports@gmail.com) by Monday evening post game.
Contact the SISL disciplinary actions may be appealed to the Idaho State Soccer Association.
Issuance of a Red Card is a minimum of one game suspension and a $40.00 fine to be paid prior to the player playing after the sanction is fulfilled.
Red Cards issued for violent conduct will be an automatic suspension for the remainder of the season and the next season and that player will have to pay a $100.00 fine prior to registering after the suspension is served.
Any player receiving more than one Red Card per season will sit out the remainder of that season and the next season. Prior to registering this player must pay a $50.00 fine prior to registering again after the suspension is served unless the second red card was for violent conduct then that player would pay the $100.00 fine.
There are 7 instances a red card is given by a Referee:
• Serious foul play (such as dangerous tackles from behind).
• Violent conduct (over aggressive behavior fighting, throwing elbows, ect.)
• Spitting on players, referees or others.
• Denies obvious scoring opportunity with use of hand ball.
• Denies obvious scoring opportunity. with any free kick foul.
• Foul language or verbal abuse of opposing players or referees.
• For a second caution or Yellow Card in a game.
PLAYER, TEAM and FAN BEHAVIOR:
NOTE: The league has a Code of Conduct which all players and teams are responsible for knowing and following. Fighting will not be tolerated and guilty parties will be denied access to this league.
Team Behavior:
• Any team found guilty of team violence will be suspended for the remainder of that season and the next season. This includes all players rostered on that team. Upon returning this team will pay a $200.00 performance Bond that will be returned after one year if there have been no repeat of such incidents and as long as no red cards were issued to players on that team in that time.
• When teams enter the field in bench clearing type actions they are considered guilty of team violence even if punches are not thrown. Entering the field is prohibited!
• Any team that plays a player that has not either paid their fines or fulfilled their sanction will be out for the remainder of the season plus the next season. Upon return such team will be required to post a $200.00 performance bond that will be returned after one year if there are no repeat incidents and no player on that team has received a red card. There are other sanctions and fines that apply for playing an ineligible player and they would also apply.
• Teams that use Ineligible Players in league games will forfeit the game and pay a $40.00 fine. And the team can be placed in bad standing with the league. The other team that was scheduled to play wins that game.
• Team Forfeits: DO NOT PAY THE REFEREE IF YOU HAVE A FORFIET GAME. The referee should contact the disciplinary chairperson and will be paid by the SISL treasurer. Teams forfeiting league-scheduled games will pay full cost of referees (example: Men’s Premier referee cost: $100.00) plus $10 administrative expenses. Additional fines and penalties may occur. Payments will be made to the League prior their next scheduled game. Excessive forfeitures and the team will be suspended for the remainder of that season and the next. All other costs and fines apply. Upon return that team must pay a $200.00 performance bond that will be returned within one year if there are no more forfeitures of games and that team does not have any red cards issued for violent conduct. Payments will be made to the LEAGUE DISCIPLINARY CHAIRPERSON---PRIOR to their next scheduled game. Second offense: Possible expulsion from SISL and forfeiture team and player fees.
What is a forfeit?
- A team that doesn’t show-up for a league-scheduled game.
- A team having less than 7 players on the field at game time.
- A team that does not have player cards.
- A team that uses ineligible players in league games will forfeit the game, plus a $40 fine.
- A team not paying referees at game time can be expelled from SISL, with no refund of team or player fees. Game will count as a forfeit win for the opposing team.
- A team or team fans involved in violent altercation with referees, players or other spectators will be fined or suspended from SISL, with no refund of team or player fees.
Fan Behavior:
Fan Violence: Will not be tolerated! Fans or spectators are not allowed on the playing field before, during or after a match.
Teams are responsible for their fans. Fans are not allowed on the field before, during or after the game. Fans that accost opponents, players, teams fans from other teams referees or league officials will be considered guilty of violent and aggressive behavior and the team they are associated with will sit out the remainder of that season and the next.
Just entering the field is deemed as violent or aggressive behavior. Depending on the severity of the actions the sanctions may be longer. Upon returning this team will post a $200.00 performance bond that will be returned after one year if there have been no more fan incidents and if there are no red cards issued to players on that team.
Referee Abuse:
Referee abuse will not be tolerated by players, teams, fans or spectators. Fans and spectators actions will fall to the responsibility of their related team who will be dealt the sanctions. Fans have no business confronting or questioning any game referee. (CONTROL YOUR FANS, players and coaches!).
Players and teams and their fans that are guilty of referee abuse will be placed in bad standing. Players will pay a $40.00 fine and a 3 game suspension, while teams and the action of their fans will pay a $100.00 fine and suspension for the remainder of that season and next. Do not accost our referees.
Striking a referee will result in a minimum one-year suspension and a $500.00 fine. Players understand that they may face stiffer penalties from the State Association.
Trash:
We use public park facilities at the discretion of the parks department. Our league suffers when our members or their fans abuse that privilege. Such actions bring our league into disrepute and that will not be tolerated.
• Teams that leave litter at the fields will be suspended for the remainder of that season and the next.
• Teams are responsible for their fans and spectators so if fans leave trash the team will be held accountable and suspended.
If you cannot control your players or fans we suggest you bring a trash bag and clean up after them before you leave.
MATTERS NOT PROVIDED FOR
Just because a certain offense is not listed does not mean the league cannot take actions against the guilty party or parties. Actions unbecoming will lead to fines and possible suspensions from league activities. Read our League Code Of Conduct.
SISL Appeals Policy and Procedures:
Per SISL Bylaws suspensions rendered by the League can be appealed or a hearing called. (Please note that disciplinary action taken as a result of a caution or ejection resulting in sanctions of one year or less are not appealable per USSF Bylaw 705. But you have a right to a hearing if you so desire through the Disciplinary Committee)
Upon receipt of a League imposed suspension, other than for a Caution or Ejection of less than one year, for which you propose to appeal or to be heard the following Procedures must be followed.
• You must respond in writing to the League with-in 10 days of the action taken.
• You must present not less than six (6) copies of your response to the suspension/allegations.
• You must provide not less than six (6) copies of the rules of the organization against whose decision you are appealing or for which a hearing was called.
• You must present a $100.00 appeal/hearing fee in the form of a cashiers check, or money order. This is a non refundable fee.
The following process will be used during the appeal:
APPEAL HEARINGS
The hearing shall proceed in accordance with the Southern Idaho Soccer Leagues hearing rules and procedures. All Federal, State or local Rules of Evidence or Civil Procedure shall not be applicable.
1. Each party may have an individual present at the hearing to assist the party in presenting the parties case. The person assisting the individual is not allowed to speak, question the parties and or witnesses.
2. During the hearing, the party may confer briefly with the individual who is assisting before making statements or request or prior to responding to a question. The hearing panel may limit the frequency and duration of the conferences so as not to unduly interfere with the proceedings.
3. If there is confusion or concern, the party may request a recess to confer with the individual assisting the party. Such a request should be granted unless the number of requests by a party becomes unreasonable or the length of the requested recess is deemed by the hearing panel to be unreasonable.
4. An individual assisting a party may prepare written materials for the party and collect documents for the party. However, the party must submit or present the materials and documents as materials and documents of the party, and not of the individual assisting. The party has complete responsibility for those materials and documents and is subject to questioning about them.
5. All documents must be submitted in English.
6. The league will respond with a written reply within 10 days. Should the hearing uphold the sanction the party will be informed through said reply as to the subsequent action if any they could take should they wish to pursue the issue further.
Who to contact about referee assignments:
• Questions and comments may be directed to SISL's Referee Assignor –John Hickcox . SISL.refassignor@gmail.com or 861-0671.
