STRATFORD CITY SOCCER LEAGUE CONSTITUTION PURPOSE: To promote, develop and organize adult soccer in the City of Stratford. It is understood that teams from outside of Stratford may participate in the league, but all games will be played within the City of Stratford. To follow the Constitution at all times. EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE: The executive committee shall consist of: President Vice-President Secretary Treasurer Referee in Chief Statistician The executive committee will be elected at the Annual Banquet held at the end of each season. Their term will be at least one year. One Team Representative may also represent each team. Article 1 DUTIES OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE: 1.1) President 1.1a) presides at all Executive Committee Meetings 1.1b) presides at all Regular League Meetings 1.1c) only casts a vote in the case of a tie 1.1d) represents the Stratford City Soccer League in all facets unless otherwise delegated 1.1e) initiates the Executive and League Meetings prior and during the season as per the Constitution Last Edit April 2017-1 -
1.2) Vice-President 1.2a) assists the President 1.2b) takes over Presidential responsibilities in the President's absence 1.2c) schedules game changes 1.2d) responsible for trophy keeping, care and engraving 1.3) Treasurer 1.3a) keeps an up to date and accurate record of all incoming moneys and expenses 1.3b) provides a budget for the upcoming season 1.3c) provides a financial statement at the end of each season to the executive 1.3d) administers league & team websites. 1.4e) pays yearly subscription for website & yearly cost for domain. (www.stratfordcsl.com) 1.4) Referee in Chief 1.4a) organizes and schedules referees for each game 1.4b) presides over meetings of the referees 1.4c) makes suggestions to the League regarding discipline policy for the following season 1.4d) organizes training for new referees to the league 1.5) Statistician 1.5a) keeps up to date and accurate record of all players in the league, game results and statistics pertaining to the league 1.5b) ensures the game results are in the local paper after each game and updated standings are reported weekly. 1.5c) obtains Final Rosters from teams before 1 st game of the year 1.5d) provides team reps with bi-weekly updates of number of Red/Yellow Cards for all teams. 1.5e) advises team reps and Secretary and Treasurer when a player is required to sit out a game(s) due to accumulation of Red/Yellow cards 1.5f) keeps records for last 5 years minimum on all Disciplinary Actions & General Meetings 1.5g) updates website with scores and stats on weekly basis 1.6) Secretary 1.6a) prepares season schedule 1.6b) records and processes monthly executive minutes Last Edit April 2017-2 -
Article 2 MEETINGS 2.1) General League Meeting The first General League Meeting shall be held prior to each season, and certainly no later than the beginning of March. Representatives from the Executive Committee will be present and each team shall be entitled to be represented by one voting member. The purpose of the first General League Meeting is as follows; 2.1a) Establish the number of teams for the upcoming season 2.1b) Discuss the scheduling of the season 2.1c) Discuss the method of play-offs 2.1d) make any amendments to the constitution before the beginning of April. 2.1e) Decide on Banquet; where to host, how/who manages 2.1f) The President may call for additional meetings if further debate and/or research is needed. * It is understood that the President may call regular League Meetings at any time during the season as the need arises. 2.2) Annual General Meeting: The Annual General Meeting shall be held prior to the General League Meeting, and certainly no later than the beginning of February. Team reps will be notified and it is their responsibility to notify anyone interested in running for council. Anyone can run for the positions posted and anyone registered with the league may vote. Teams are allowed a maximum of 4 votes; 1 by a team representative, and 3 additional votes. Proxy votes are allowed. Any team that does not send a representative to this meeting will be levied a $40 fine. The purpose of the Annual General Meeting is as follows; 2.2a) Elect the incoming Executive Committee 2.2b) Votes will be cast by show of hand 2.2c) The President will lead the vote, and will not vote unless he/she needs to decide a tie. ] Article 3 Last Edit April 2017-3 -
SCHEDULES 3.1) A draft schedule will be drawn up by the Secretary before the General League Meeting (before April 1st). 3.2) The schedule shall be followed whenever possible. If a team wishes to change a scheduled game, it is the responsibility of the team wishing the change to; 3.2a) Obtain permission from the opposing team 3.2b) Obtain authorization from the Vice-President or in his absence the Statistician 3.2c) Vice President to provide the Referee in Chief (at the time of the change) with the agreed upon alternate date 3.2d) if a team does not provide an alternate date to the Vice-President at the time of the change, a new date will be set. This new date will be the new scheduled game and cannot be changed. If either team cannot field a team on this new scheduled date, they will forfeit the game. 3.2e) the team wishing the change gives all parties concerned a minimum of 7 days notice of any proposed change and if unable to do so shall either play as originally scheduled or forfeit the game. 3.2f) If the team wishing the change is unable to provide the minimum notice and as a consequence forfeits the originally scheduled game, they will be assessed a $40.00 fine to be paid to a member of the Executive Committee prior to their next scheduled game. If the fine is not paid, the team will forfeit each subsequent game until the fine is paid (NB - in the event of a second forfeit a league meeting shall be called immediately to discuss the best course of action) TEAMS Article 4 4.1) Each team, 7days prior to 1 st game, shall submit to the Vice-President a team list of all of their signed players. This list shall include name, birth date and telephone number of each player. If your team does not submit a roster at the required time they will be fined $25.00 4.2) Transfers from one team to another are available at a cost $40.00, payable by the team to which the player is being transferred. 4.3) Transfers must be completed 24 hours before the next scheduled game. Proof of transfer is payment of $40.00 to the Treasurer or other Executive member. 4.4) In order for a transfer, a player has to have played one (1) game for his signed team. A player can only transfer once per season and no transfers are allowed after July 15th. 4.5) A team wishing to sign a player(s) prior to July 15, will let the Vice-President or in his Last Edit April 2017-4 -
absence an Executive member know the night before their next scheduled game. Teams can add player before their game but have to get the approval of the team rep they are playing. 4.6) A team wishing to sign a player(s) after July 15 must approach the Executive Committee, stating their reasons for the addition. The decision to allow or deny will be made by the Executive Committee and will be final. 4.7) A team caught playing with an illegal player(s), that is a person not signed on the team list, a player under suspension or a player who has not yet paid his fine, will be penalized with a $40.00 fine. This fine must be paid prior to their next scheduled game or they will forfeit the game played. The goals scored by the opposing team will stand and the other team will be scored zero. If no goals were scored, the opposing team will win by a 1-0 score, with no goal scorer. If the team does not pay the fine prior to their next game they will forfeit each subsequent game until the fine is paid. GAMES Article 5 5.1) Seven players are required to field a team. If a team has six or fewer players at a game, a waiting period of 20 minutes will be allowed. If after 20 minutes seven players are not available the points will be awarded to the opposing team. The game will be scored a 1-0 win for the opposing team with no personal goal scoring counted. A $40.00 fine will be paid by the team forfeiting the game. This fine must be paid prior to their next scheduled game. 5.2) If neither team has enough players after the 20-minute waiting period, the result will be recorded as a 0-0 tie and neither team will be given any points. Each team will pay the $40.00 fine prior to their next scheduled game. 5.3) Should the ejection of a player(s) from a game reduce a team to less than 7 players, the referee will call the game. The result of the game shall be recorded as a 1-0 victory for the opposing team. No personal goal scoring will be counted if the game is called in the 1st half. 5.4) If a team starts both the first and second half with seven players but due to some unforeseen circumstance loses a player, the rep of the disabled team will decide whether the team wishes to forfeit or play on. 5.5) Should the game be called in the second half due to not enough players, the score will stand as is provided the opposing is winning and; 5.5a) all personal goals will count 5.5b) the opposing team keeps their goals and any cards; their score is recorded. 5.5c) In the event of a scoreless game, the team with sufficient players records a 1-0 Last Edit April 2017-5 -
victory and no personal goal scorers will count. 5.5d) all cards received during the game will count. 5.6) In the event of a game being called early by the referee for any other reason than the above, e.g. weather, lightning conditions, darkness etc., the league executive will meet to decide the fate of the game. If called in the 2 nd half and at least 15 minutes have been played, the score will stand as is. Referee s will be paid the full amount for any game that starts but does not finish. A referee will only be paid $25 in the event a game is cancelled before it starts. 5.7) A forfeit is any amount of time before 90 minutes elapses. 5.8) If a game is held up by the 20 minute waiting period and it becomes apparent that a full game cannot be played due to darkness, the referee shall decide the length of each half prior to the start of the game. Each half shall not be less than 30 minutes in length. 5.9) A team may dress any number of players for a game. These players must have been previously registered and one of the Executives notified the night before the team's next scheduled game. See Article 4.7. No goals will count for this team; the other team will win by number of goals scored or 1-0. All cards received during the game for both teams will count. 5.10) Before each game commences the team captain or representative will complete and initial a game sheet. 5.11) For any player to be eligible for the playoffs they must be included on the team sheet for at least SIX (6) of their scheduled league games. The only exception will be an injury which prevents them from being at the required games with the Executive s approval. 5.12) All cards received in a game called early will stand and any suspensions are transferred to the next Regular, Cup or Playoff game. 5.13) The winning team will take both game sheets and deliver them to Statisticians house. 5.13a) If the game sheet is not handed in within 24hrs, a $20.00 fine will be levied against that team. That same team will also forfeit each subsequent game until that game sheet is handed in. 5.14) Game sheets 5.14a) The executive will provide all teams will a digital copy of proper game sheets, as well as physical copies too if required. 5.14b) Game sheets can be preprinted. Game sheets are to be filled out by team reps prior to the start of each game. Each team will fill out their own. It is the responsibility of the team reps to ensure player names and # s are accurate. 5.14c) 3 initials are required on each game sheet after the game is finished; your team rep, opposing team rep, and the referee. 5.14d) The Executive will provide a onetime warning for improper use. The next Last Edit April 2017-6 -
offence will result in a $20.00 fine which will be required to be paid by the next scheduled game to the Treasurer or one of the Executive members. 5.15) If two games are combined into one game, points will be doubled for a tie or win. Goals for this game, team or personal will not be doubled. DISCIPLINE Article 6 6.1) It is understood that games will at all times be refereed as closely as possible to F.I.F.A. Rules. 6.2) All disciplinary action taken by either the referee, Discipline Committee or Executive Committee will be done in the best interests of the Stratford City Soccer League. 6.3) Discipline Hearing(s): A Discipline Committee will consist of Executive and available Team Reps. No member of the teams involved in the altercation can vote to avoid a conflict of interest. The Discipline Committee will hold Discipline Hearings after a referee has approached the Referee in Chief or President concerning a player s conduct before, during or after a game. The player concerned may represent himself at the hearing and may bring along one witness on his behalf. It is preferred that the witness be the Team Captain or Team Representative. Any decision by the Discipline Committee shall be final. The Secretary will keep minutes of these Hearings and provide for review other Hearing minutes on record from the last 5 seasons or to date that is on file for review. This is to ensure the decision by the Disciplinary Committee is consistent. 6.3a) Referee request for extra discipline: Should a referee feel that an infraction or incident justifies more than the minimum suspension and/or fine, he shall notify the Referee in Chief and inform him with a written report of the circumstances. The Referee in Chief shall then approach the President to call a Disciplinary Hearing to consider the matter- see 6.3 above. The hearing will be held as soon as possible after the incident. This hearing will be used to decide what, if any, extra penalty should be imposed. Any discrepancies involving teams or players, with regard to discipline, will be ruled on by a Discipline Committee. This Discipline Committee shall be composed of available Team Representatives, excluding the representatives of the team(s) involved in the incident, executive committee and chaired by the President. Should there be a tie regarding the Disciplinary Action, the President will be the tiebreaker. 6.4) The League will strictly adhere to the following table of disciplinary actions; Last Edit April 2017-7 -
6.4a) Three (3) Yellow Cards The player will serve an automatic 1 game suspension. The team representative or the player will be notified by the Statistician of the suspension. The suspension will be for the next scheduled game. A $25.00 fine must be paid prior to the player's next game to be played, i.e. League, Cup or Playoff. 6.4b) Five (5) Yellow Cards The player will serve an automatic 3 game suspension. The team representative or the player will be notified by the Statistician of the suspension. The suspension will be for the next 3 scheduled games. A $50.00 fine must be paid prior to the player's next game to be played, i.e. League, Cup or Playoff. 6.4c) One (1) Red Card- 2 yellow in a game The player is automatically ejected from the game and the team will play short 1 player for the remainder of the game. A minimum 1 game suspension must be served and will be the next scheduled game. A $25.00 fine must be paid prior to the player's next game to be played, i.e. League, Cup, or Playoff. 6.4d) One (1) Red Card- Serious foul play The player is automatically ejected from the game and the team will play short 1 player for the remainder of the game. A minimum 1 game suspension must be served and will be the next scheduled game. A $50.00 fine must be paid prior to the player's next game to be played, i.e. League, Cup, or Playoff. 6.4e) Two (2) Red Cards The player is automatically ejected from the game and the team will play short 1 player for the remainder of the game. A minimum 3 game suspension must be served. The team representative or the player will be notified by the Statistician of the suspension. A $60.00 fine must be paid prior to the player's next game to be played, i.e. League, Cup or Playoff. 6.4f) Three (3) Red Cards The player is automatically ejected from the game and the team will play short 1 player for the remainder of the game. The team representative or the player will be notified by the Statistician of the suspension. The player is suspended for the remainder of the season and must post a $50.00 bond for the next season. 6.5) Violent conduct -Any player who strikes or engages in physical contact with another player, on or off the field, whether before, during or after the game, outside the natural flow of the game, will be ejected from the game. A minimum suspension of 4 games will be levied. A $50.00 fine must be paid prior to the player's next game to be played, i.e. League, Cup or Playoff. 6.6) Any player who physically assaults a referee or referee s assistant will be ejected from the game. The player will be suspended for the minimum remainder of the season and must post a $500.00 bond for the calendar year. Last Edit April 2017-8 -
6.7) Any player with a bond posted who receives a yellow or red card will be called before the Discipline Committee. This committee will decide what portion, if any, of the bond will be forfeited. They will also decide what suspension, if any, will be served. GAMES 7.1) LEAGUE-REGULAR SEASON Article 7 7.1a) Tie Breaker: League Standings If two (2) teams tie for points at the end of regular season; The team with the best head to head record will win the League Standings. If still tied, the team with the largest overall season goal differential will win the League Standings. If still tied, the team with the most goals for will win the League Standings. If more than 2 teams tie for points, teams are ranked by goal differential. If there are any discrepancies, the method of tie breaker will be determined by the Executive Committee. 7.2) CITY CUP 7.2a) First Round Teams will play a round-robin, playing each other team once. 7.2b) Second Round Top 2 teams from round-robin will get a bye into Third Round Remaining 4 teams to play in a one game playoff 3 rd vs 6 th 4 th vs 5 th 7.2c) Third Round 1 st vs 4 th /5 th 2 nd vs 3 rd /6 th Goals scored or goals against do not count in League standings. Any Cards received during the game or overtime will be counted. Championship Game City Cup The two winning teams of the Third Round will play in the Final game. Goals scored or goals against do not count in League standings. Any Cards received during the game or overtime will be counted. Last Edit April 2017-9 -
7.3) Regular Season PLAYOFFS Round One: Format as follows: Playoff format is determined by the League Standings i.e. Top 2 teams get a bye into next round Remaining 4 teams to play in a one game playoff 3 rd vs 6 th 4 th vs 5 th Round Two: 2 leg, most goals each team plays each other twice. 1 st vs winner of 4 th v5 th 2 nd vs winner of 3 rd v6 th Winners of round 2 play in Championship, losers play in B Championship Cards received from Regular season/cup games will carry over to the playoffs. Any Cards received during the game or overtime will be counted. Final Playoff Game for both A & B Divisions The 2 winning teams from Round 2 of the Playoff s will play the Final Game. Losers will play in the B Finals. B Division will be played at 12:30 at Cooper (or another agreed upon location) A Division will be played at 2:30pm at Cooper (or another agreed upon location), or right after the B Division Final, if game goes into overtime. Extra Time Rules overtime will be required as follows: Two (2) 10 minute golden goal overtime periods will be played If still tied, a shootout will be required 5 Shooters per Team are chosen. Player s chosen must be players that were on the field at the end of overtime. Still tied, 1 on 1 until winner is determined (Can only shoot once) Any Cards received during the game or overtime will be counted. Last Edit April 2017-10 -