ADULT PREMIER LEAGUE 2011 RULES October, 2010 CAL SOUTH ADULT PREMIER LEAGUE RULES & REGULATIONS
1 TITLE 1.1 This organization shall be known as the Cal South State Soccer Association South Adult Premier League, herein known as the Premier League. 1.2 The Cal South Adult State Premier League (also known as Premier League) shall be governed by these rules. 1.3 The Cal South Adult State Premier League is an amateur league. 2 PURPOSE 2.1 Premier League's purpose is to provide interplay of teams affiliated with and in good standing with California State Soccer Association-South (Cal South), and shall organize, schedule, and administer gaming circuits and shall establish and enforce rules and regulations pursuant to its purpose. 2.2 It shall have four divisions; U20 Men s, U20 Women s, U23 Men s and U23 Women s. 2.3 The Divisions will be based upon geographic proximity and other factors. CSPL reserves the right to change any Division for purposes of scheduling and standings. 3 AFFILIATION 3.1 Premier League shall affiliate and comply with the authority of Cal South, the United States Adult Soccer Association (USASA), and the United States Soccer Federation (USSF). 4 ADMINISTRATION 4.1 The Cal South Board of Directors shall establish a State Adult Premier League Committee to manage the Cal South USASA State Premier League and other competitions as directed. The Board of Directors (BOD) reserves the right to any final decision with regard to all games played in Cal South State Premier League competitions. 4.2 The Premier League Committee shall consist of a Director, Operations Director, Secretary and 5 member clubs (teams) 4.3 The member clubs (teams) shall elect the 5 club members of the Premier League Committee. 4.4 The Premier League Committee shall be under the control and direction of the Cal South State Premier League Director. The Operations Director of the State Premier League Committee shall be appointed by the Cal South State Premier League Director and confirmed by the Board of Directors. 4.5 The Premier League competition shall be under the jurisdiction, control, and management of the Premier League Committee. The Premier League Committee shall select the dates, Page 2 of 12
times and sites for all games and shall have direct control of all arrangements including referees. 4.6 The Premier League Committee shall have the authority to rule on any matter pertaining to this competition. The Premier League Committee shall establish a Trial Board Committee who shall deal with protests, misconducts, or any other incident arising out of a Premier League game. The Committee may increase automatic minimum game suspensions. The decisions of the Committee are final. 4.7 The Premier League Committee shall have an Executive Committee comprised of the Director, Operation Director, and any two (2)-team representatives. Any Executive Committee member shall excuse himself or herself if they have a conflict of interest in the matters at hand. The Executive Committee shall be used for emergencies only. Its decisions shall be recorded and attached to the next regular Premier League Committee minutes. 4.8 The current FIFA Laws of the Game will govern all games as amended by USASA Rules, Cal South Bylaws, Rules and Regulations, and these competition rules. 4.9. The Premier League Committee shall have the power to create committees, decide matters of operational policy, and impose fees and/or fines as necessary. 4.10 To become a member of the Cal South Premier Soccer League clubs, teams must submit an application to the Cal South Registration Department containing the following; 4.10.1 Team name(s), team colors, manager's name, address and phone number, assistant manager's name, address and phone number and maps of their home playing field must be submitted with designated fees on or before date chosen by the Cal South BOD. 4.10.2 All teams must submit field permits before their team will be scheduled for games. A team meeting the requirements of this rule, but which fails to start the season as scheduled by the Director of Operations, shall forfeit it's bond upon approval of the Premier League Committee. A team failing to meet the requirements of the rule shall pay the designated fees plus fifty (50%) of said fees if accepted as a member of this League. 4.11 Each team shall be required to submit such forms and documents which the Premier League Committee may deem necessary to ensure the proper functioning of the League. Each team shall pay all dues, fines, and fees levied by this League within thirty (30) days of notification. 4.12 Any team that fails to complete the regular season schedule may forfeit their bond subject to a vote of the Premier League Committee. Any team that is dismissed by the Premier League Committee will forfeit their bond automatically. 4.13 All players are required to be registered with Cal-South and comply in full with all Rules and Standing Orders of Cal-South pertaining to registration. 4.14 All registration forms shall be issued by Cal-South. Falsification of any information required to register players shall deem such players non-registered and the provisions of Page 3 of 12
Rule 6.5 shall apply in full. 4.15 Each team shall fulfill home field responsibilities when so scheduled. The home team is responsible for the proper marking of the field, nets, game ball, and corner flags. Failure to meet this responsibility shall result in a fifty dollar ($50) fine for each occurrence and subject to forfeiting game. 4.16 Teams and their spectators shall be located on opposite sides of the field. The home team shall have the choice of sidelines to occupy. 4.17 If an issue under the jurisdiction of the Premier League Committee arises and must be resolved before the next regular meeting, the Director may call a special meeting of the Executive Committee, the general membership, or resolve the issue. If the Director takes action, that action may be overturned by 2/3 votes of all member clubs at the next scheduled general meeting. 5 DUTIES OF OFFICIALS AND MEMBERS 5.1 DIRECTOR -Shall be responsible for successful operation of Premier League. -Shall conduct and control all Premier League meetings. -Shall have general powers and duties required to manage the Premier League. -Shall approve payment of Premier League debts. -Shall have one vote on the Executive Committee. -Shall have no affiliation with any member club. 5.2 OPERATIONS-DIRECTOR -Shall assume duties of Director in the Director's absence. -Shall act as the Premier League Trial Board Chairperson. -Shall have no affiliation with any member club. - Shall manage the day to day operations of the Premier Division. - Shall develop and implement a gaming schedule, oversee the interplay of the Premier League teams. - Shall have the authority to resolve schedule conflicts and act as liaison between the clubs, teams, referees and the Premier League, and reports to the Executive Committee as Page 4 of 12
required. 5.3 SECRETARY -Shall keep complete minutes of all meetings and provide copies of those minutes at the next meeting. -Shall keep copies of the Premier League correspondence. -Shall keep a listing of authorized member club representative. -Shall receive notification of member club representative's substitution. 5.4 REGISTRAR -Shall register teams with Cal South through the CORIS system. -Shall be the keeper of the team rosters in the CORIS system. -Shall be the keeper of Yellow and Red card records. 5.5 MEMBER CLUB REPRESENTATIVE - The member clubs shall elect the Five (5) club members of the Premier League committee. A club may only have one member on the Premier League committee. 5.6 VOTING - The five (5) member club representatives, Director, Operations Director, Secretary and Registrar are voting members. The five (5) club representatives shall represent all member clubs at the Premier League Committee monthly meetings. -No individual committee member shall have more than one vote at any meeting. 6 TEAMS, PLAYERS, AND COACHES 6.1 Teams shall apply for entry in the Premier League for the upcoming season in accordance with the schedule announced. Clubs or teams may be denied entry (or later removed from the Premier League) based on past or present: (1) disregard for rules; (2) failure to abide by rulings from the Premier League or higher authority (Cal South, USASA, USSF); (3) failure to fulfill monetary or game schedule obligations; (4) record of violence and/or abusive behavior. 6.2 All teams in the Premier League shall pay a registration fee as set by the Premier League Committee. Teams will pay a bond set by the Premier Committee. Clubs in the Premier League with two or more teams shall pay a Club Bond as set by the Premier Committee in lieu of the team bond. The bond will be returned at the end of the season minus any Page 5 of 12
penalties incurred, such as failure to play scheduled games, resulting in penalties to cover home team costs of referees and reasonable field rental expense. 6.3 All teams, players, and team officials (coaches, assistants, trainers, managers, administrators, etc.), shall be properly registered with their own team and Cal South, and with their home State and USASA if from outside Cal South and will conform to Cal South guidelines. 6.4 Every team shall have a player pool roster and will file roster one week prior to the first scheduled Premier League game. The player pool roster may have up to 30 players on the pool roster at any given time during the seasonal year. Every team roster shall have a minimum of 7 players on the roster at all times. The minimum age for a player on a Premier League team player pool roster shall16yrs of age. The team must submit its League game roster to the Premier League Referee not later than 30 minutes prior to each scheduled Premier League game. The game roster shall have a maximum of 18 players and a minimum of 7 players, every player listed on the game roster must be included on the player pool roster to be eligible to participate with the team. The team shall print roster from the CORIS system. 6.5 To participate in a Premier League sanctioned game, a player must present an ID card (issued by Cal-South) to the referee prior to participating in a game. Failure to abide by this rule shall result in a fifty dollar ($50) team fine and the offending team shall be deemed to have forfeited the game. 6.6 No player may register for one team and play for another without first securing his release, nor may a player be registered for more than one (1) team within the Premier League at any time. 6.7 All players belonging to a team which folds shall be considered as free agents, if in good standing. 6.8 A player may transfer only twice during the course of the season. His second transfer must be to his first/original team 6.9 A player who is in good standing with his team and the League cannot be denied his transfer. 6.10 No teams having completed two-thirds (2/3) of the season, excluding Cup games, may be involved in any transfer. No new players can be signed immediately prior to any Premier League playoff game and players must have played two League games with the team involved in the playoff. 6.11 League Marks-During the term of the membership, League hereby grants the nonexclusive right and license to use, reproduce and display the League marks in the following Club/Team related activities: (i) team uniforms; (ii) game programs; (iii) individual Club/Team advertising and other individual Club/Team promotional materials and activities; and (iv) such other activities as the League may require or approve in advance in Page 6 of 12
writing. Club/Team must submit all proposed use of the League marks, other than for game promotion or advertising, to League in advance for approval which may not be unreasonably withheld. If League does not object to the proposed use within 10 business days of receipt, League shall be deemed to have approved such use. Club/Team must not transfer or sublicense this license without the advance written approval of League. Club/Team use of the League marks must be of a quality appropriate to be associated with the League and the sport of soccer, shall be non-disparaging, and shall be in accordance with guidelines League may issue from time to time to ensure a quality appropriate for the League and its Sponsors. Club/Team must not allow use of the League to be associated with any illegal activity or any activity that may disparage League or the sport of soccer. Club/Team acknowledges that League may, from time to time and in its sole discretion add to, modify, or discontinue use of any or all of the current League Marks. League must inform Club/Team of such changes in the League Marks in writing, and after a reasonable time period to transition the marks, Club/Team must operate using the revised League Marks. Required Use of League Marks Club/Team agrees that League may require Club/Team to display the League Marks and the trademarks, logos, and names of Sponsors in promotional materials, including, without limitation, team uniforms, game programs, and signage. Club/Team must comply with all such requirements at its own cost and expense provided that the League shall be responsible for all signage costs other than cost of installation, storage, and maintenance. Limitations on Use of Marks Club/Team must not pledge or encumber its right to use the League Marks, nor shall Club/Team pledge or encumber any interest in the Club or Team Marks to any third party. Cooperation in Enforcement - League and Club/Team must cooperate to enforce Club/Team rights to the League or Team Marks as appropriate. In the event the League determines that a Team Mark is being infringed upon, League must notify Club/Team of such suspected infringement and shall have the right, but not the obligation, to pursue all legal remedies in the name of Club/Team and retain any proceeds of such actions. Club/Team must notify League of any suspected infringement of the League or Team Marks or the marks of other League teams. 7 SEASON 7.1 The season shall start on the May 15 th. It will normally continue through the last weekend of July. 7.2 The Premier League's intent is to schedule league games on a home or away schedule. Home teams will schedule their home games on an available night between Wednesday and Sunday. Failure to schedule a home game the League will set the date for the game to be played. Home team with controlled access to their field may charge an admission fee to offset expenses. Page 7 of 12
8 STRUCTURE 8.1 It shall have four divisions; U20 Men s, U20 Women s, U23 Men s and U23 Women s. 8.2 Brackets will be formed based on the number of teams entered. 9 GAMES 9.1 FIELDS- Fields should conform to FIFA Law 1, subject to availability and local conditions. The Team is responsible for ensuring that the fields are marked and set-up for play on game days. Each team shall file with the Premier League a field certificate for their home field at a date set by the Premier League Committee prior to the schedule being produced. 9.2 REFEREES- the Cal South SRA and the State SRC are responsible for assigning referees for all games. A minimum of three (3) referees is required to play a match. Referees shall use the FIFA system of diagonal control. All referees must be USSF certified. The Center Referee will be a minimum grade 6. The Premier League is responsible for providing a fourth (off-field) official for all Playoff league games. 9.3 UNIFORM COLORS- All teams will provide the Premier League and other teams their home jersey color(s). The visiting team shall wear a jersey that assures a distinct difference. If the referee decides that jerseys are not of a distinct difference, the visiting team is required to change and assure a distinct difference between the teams. Failure of the visiting team to have a suitable alternate jersey is a protestable item and the Operation Director will impose a fine to the team. 9.4 ROSTERS- Each team shall have a player pool roster in the CORIS system with a maximum number of 30 players. 9.4.1 Each team shall have a game roster with a maximum of eighteen (18) and a minimum of seven (7) players (all must be listed on their player pool roster). 9.5 ROSTER SHEETS AND PLAYER PASSES- Prior to the start of the game, each team is required to present to the referee a completed Premier League roster sheet showing name, number, of each player participating in the game. Each participating player and team administrator shall present an identification laminated pass to the referee. The referee shall check each player's pass and assure the picture on the pass matches the player and the name on the pass matches the name on the roster sheet. All passes must conform to Cal South requirements. If a player does not have a pass, THAT PLAYER SHALL NOT PLAY. The coach shall sign the roster sheet attesting to its accuracy and to the eligibility of all players on the sheet. Failure to sign the roster sheet may result in forfeiture of the game or other disciplinary action. The Premier League will provide the teams with a roster sheet. Page 8 of 12
9.6 CLUB CARD-Teams will be permitted to use U17 and above youth players that are rostered to a younger team in their club in league games as a guest player. (Limit two guest players per game) If a player plays as a guest player he/she may not compete with his/her rostered team on that play date. No recreational players are allowed. 9.7 FORFEITURE- The game SHALL NOT BE PLAYED and the offending team shall FORFEIT the match if any of the following occur: (1) If a team does not have 7 eligible players within 15 minutes after the scheduled game time, (2) a team arrives without valid player passes. If a team forfeits a game the game shall be recorded as a 3-0 win for the opponent. If a team forfeits 2 games during the regular season, that team shall be dropped from the Premier League and the bond forfeited. (A fine may be imposed to a team that does not field 11 players regardless of the outcome of the game.) 9.8 COACHES/ADMINISTRATORS/SPECTATORS- For Premier league games each team is required to have at least one responsible administrator. In case that both teams are on same sideline the spectators shall go to the other side of the field. Coaches shall stay within designated area. All persons affiliated with the teams (parents, siblings, friends, supporters, etc.) shall remain on the opposite side of the field. Administrators from their teams will be required to monitor the spectator sidelines. 9.9 SUBSTITUTIONS- Except as provided by USASA or Cal South, substitutions shall be unlimited except where specified otherwise in the rules and regulations for a special competition. 9.9.1. Substitutions may be made, with the consent of the referee, at any stoppage in play. (Cal South Rule 2.9) 9.10 STANDINGS- Based on total number of points credited to the team as follows: WIN-3 points, TIE-1 point. LOSS-no points. Ties in points shall use the following tiebreaker rules in order: 1. The winner in head-to-head competition 2. Goal differential (goals scored minus goals allowed to a maximum differential of 4 per game) 3. Most goals scored 4. Least goals allowed 5. Shut-out wins (forfeits not counting) 6. FIFA kicks from the penalty mark 8. If more than two (2) teams are tied for final standings, the tiebreaker criteria listed shall be used in the order shown until one team is advanced or one team is eliminated, or both. If remaining teams are still tied at this point in the tie-breaking process, they will then be compared beginning again with step 1 until another team is either advanced or eliminated or both. Page 9 of 12
9.11 SCHEDULES- It is expected that teams will follow the schedule. If a game cannot be played due to acts of God (weather, field conditions, etc.) or actions of individuals or agencies not under the control of the teams, it shall be rescheduled per Section 9.12. The Operation Director has general authority to resolve scheduling problems. 9.12 RE-SCHEDULING- There will be a fifty ($50) re-scheduling fee. Teams will reschedule games at a mutually agreed upon date and time at Premier League fields. If Premier League fields are unavailable, the Operation Director shall designate new field. All games must be rescheduled within 5 days and shall be played within 15 days of the original date. If agreement cannot be reached, the Operation Director shall select a time and place for the game. Games shall not be rescheduled due to non-availability of a specific coach or player(s) unless it is due to a previously approved affiliated event (i.e. Cal South or USASA tournaments, etc.). If a team needs to reschedule a game so that it may compete in a sanctioned tournament, it must submit a written request along with the fee to the Operations Director for approval 30 days in advance of the game. A copy of the request must also be sent to the opposing team coach. All league games shall be played within Cal South boundaries. Exceptions require Executive Committee approval. 10 MISCONDUCT 10.1 RED CARDS- If the referee ejects a player or dismisses an administrator, the referee will retain the pass and mail it and a complete report describing the events leading up to the ejection to the Premier League within 48 hours. If ejected for receiving a second yellow card no report is required. Any player receiving a red card, or two yellow cards as a minimum, will not be allowed to participate in the next Premier League game (see following paragraphs). All ejections will be reviewed by the Trial Board Chairperson for assignment of mandatory penalties, or referral to a Trial Board particularly if the ejection was for violent conduct, the Trial Board may issue punishment, as it deems appropriate. 10.1.1 A second red card during any playing season shall incur a minimum 3 game ban. A third red card in a season shall incur a minimum 1-year ban from the date of the incident. 10.1.2 For this competition a Red Card may be show to a coach. 10.2 In the case of an administrator/coach ejection, the administrator/coach will be ineligible to participate in any Premier League game for the next two (2) games for the team from which he/she was ejected. 10.3 YELLOW CARDS- Cautions will be noted by the referee on the roster sheet. A point system will be utilized, with a caution as 1 point, and ejection 2 points. If a player receives five points, he shall not participate in the next Premier League game. If a player receives 5 points, then every 3 points accumulated after the 5 will result a game suspension. If a player has 3 points and is ejected, that player shall not participate in the next 2 games (one for the ejection, one for reaching 5 points). Page 10 of 12
11 ABANDONED, SUSPENDED, OR PROTESTED GAMES 11.1 Abandoned Games: (Due to actions of individuals) 11.1.1 Abandoned games shall be treated as protested games. 11.1.2. Abandoned games may be ruled complete, ordered replayed, or continued from the point of stoppage by the Premier League committee. 11.2 Suspended Games: (Due to the elements) 11.2.1 Prior to the commencement of the second half, the game will be replayed in its entirety. 11.2.2 During second half, the game shall be considered complete. 11.3. Only protests based on the violation of a playing rule by a referee, Red Cards are not protestable. No protest shall be considered involving a referee's judgment. 11.3.1 All protests shall be written and mailed to the Premier League within 48 hours of the incident with a $200 fee (certified or league check only). The fee is refunded if protest is upheld. 11.3.2 Protests shall be reviewed by the League Director. If no protestable event can be validated, the protest shall be considered denied and the litigants notified. The Trial Board shall arbitrate validated protests. 11.4 The Trial Board shall investigate the circumstances surrounding the protest. They may use agents to interview witnesses and report on the facts of the case. Witnesses may testify via telephone, in person, or in writing. The decision of the Trial Board is final. 11.5 Notification of receipt of a protest, hearing dates, and final results shall be sent by regular mail to the parties directly involved. 12 TRIAL BOARD 12.1 The Trial Board shall consist of the Operations Director (Chairperson) and two or four other persons selected by the Chairperson. The League Director may designate an alternate chairperson for specific cases. No one whose home club is involved in the complaint shall sit on the Trial Board. 12.2 The Trial Board Chairperson shall review all misconduct reports. 12.3 A Trial Board may be convened to review any ejection, report of misconduct, or similar significant event for which action may be necessary. The Trial Board may impose penalties (including game bans, suspensions, or fines, etc.), as it deems appropriate. Page 11 of 12
12.4 All procedures shall be in accordance with Cal South procedures. Notification shall be by Certified or Registered US Mail (return receipt requested), Mailgram or Telegram (with confirming copy). 13 OTHER RULES 13.1 Illegal drug use, or possession or transportation of a weapon without a valid permit, shall not be permitted at Cal-South State events. 13.2 Where not specifically stated in these Rules FIFA, USSF, USASA By-laws and Cal South By-laws apply. 14 AMENDMENTS Page 12 of 12