SAASL DISCIPLINARY RULES FOR PLAYERS AND CLUBS

Disciplinary Rules for Players and Clubs P a g e 1 SAASL DISCIPLINARY RULES FOR PLAYERS AND CLUBS These Rules are made by the Management Committee of the South Australian Amateur Soccer League Inc. pursuant to the power granted to it under section 12 of the SAASL Constitution and are to be read subject to that section. Terms used in these Rules are consistent with the terms used in that Constitution. 1 REPORTING OF OFFENCES 1.1 Referees shall administer cautions and sendings off in accordance with the Laws of the Game. 2 INFRINGEMENT OF THE LAWS OF THE GAME 2.1 A caution (or yellow card) is issued for a minor infringement of the laws of the game and is a warning from the referee to a player during a match to sanction unsporting behaviour of a less serious nature. 2.2 An expulsion is for a serious infringement of the laws of the game and is the order given by the referee to someone to leave the vicinity of the field of play and the technical arena, including the substitutes bench during a match. Expulsion takes the form of a red card for players. 2.3 Any yellow card or red card issued during a match is identified by the referee on the referee s report for that match, including the name and number of the player the offence and the time of the offence. The written report containing such detail will be sent to the league office so as to reach the league within two working days of the end of the match concerned. 2.4 For the purpose of these disciplinary regulations offence means an infringement of the laws of the game in accordance with the following codes. 3 MINOR INFRINGEMENTS YELLOW CARD (CAUTION) CODES 3.1 The following codes apply in relation to the administration of yellow cards: Y1 Y2 Y3 Y4 Is guilty of unsporting behaviour Shows dissent by word or action Persistently infringes the laws of the game Delays the restart of play

Disciplinary Rules for Players and Clubs P a g e 2 Y5 Y6 Y7 Fails to respect the distance required by the laws of the game then in force when play is restarted with a corner kick, free kick or throw in Enters or re-enters the field of play without the referee s permission Deliberately leaves the field of play without the referee s permission 3.2 A player who is cautioned by the referee for any of the above offences will be debited with one caution for each offence and the accumulation of cautions will be dealt with as periods of automatic suspension pursuant to the following sub-rule 3.3. 3.3 Periods of suspension for accumulated cautions are as follows: 3.3.1 4 cautions = 1 match 3.3.2 8 cautions = 2 matches 3.3.3 12 cautions = 3 matches 3.4 In the event of a player changing clubs, any cautions accumulated by that play at the time of his transfer shall be carried forward to his registration with his new club. 3.5 If a player receives two yellow cards during the same match and therefore receives a red card, the two yellow cards are expunged from his record. 3.6 If a player receives a yellow card and then a direct red card in the same match, the yellow card will not be expunged and will be counted in the player s accumulation of yellow cards. 3.7 The accumulation of yellow cards will be reset at the end of the last Match of pre-season, the competition proper and any finals series respectively. This means that yellow cards accumulated in a pre-season competition do not carry over to the competition proper and yellow cards accumulated in a competition do not carry over to any final series. Match suspensions incurred as a result of the accumulation of yellow cards will not, however, be cancelled but carried over to the next years competition. 3.8 Upon being notified of a player s suspension, the player s club shall, if so requested, immediately return the player s identity card to the league. 3.9 In addition to the above periods of automatic suspension, the automatic fines set by the league shall apply.

Disciplinary Rules for Players and Clubs P a g e 3 3.10 Players suspension for caution accumulation shall begin and end on dates notified to the player s club by the league. 3.11 Yellow cards are not accumulated for friendlies. 4 SERIOUS INFRINGEMENTS RED CARD (EXPULSION) CODES 4.1 The following codes apply in relation to the administration of red cards (that is, expulsion of or sending from the field of play of a player or club official): R1 R2 R3 serious foul play violent conduct Spitting at an opponent or any other person *R4 Denying the opposing team a goal or an obvious goal scoring opportunity by deliberately handling the ball (this does not apply to a goalkeeper within his own penalty area) *R5 Denying an obvious goal scoring opportunity to an opponent moving towards the player s goal by an offence punishable by a free kick or a penalty kick. R6 Using offensive, insulting or abusive language and/or gestures *R7 Receives a second caution in the same match 4.2 When a player has been sent off the referee shall retain the player s identity card and forward it to the league with his report. 4.3 A player who has been sent off under category R4, R5 and R7 (those denoted in the above list with an asterisk) must serve a minimum mandatory 1 match suspension. The match that the player is to be suspended from is (unless the Disciplinary Committee determines in exceptional circumstances otherwise) to be the next match following the match in which the player was sent off. 4.4 A player who has been sent off under category R1, R2, R3, R6 and shall be suspended automatically and shall remain suspended until such time as his case has been dealt with by the Disciplinary Committee or the Management Committee as the case may be. 4.5 For certainty, the league will send a disciplinary notice of the match suspension with the required period of suspension set out on it. However, the match suspension is effective regardless of whether or not the notice is received.

Disciplinary Rules for Players and Clubs P a g e 4 4.6 Player sent off during the course of any match (game) is NOT eligible to take part in any other fixture on that day. 5 EFFECT OF ABANDONED MATCHES 5.1 If a suspension is to be served in terms of matches, only those matches actually played count towards the execution of the suspension. If a Match is abandoned, cancelled or forfeited, a suspension is only considered to be served if the team to which the suspended Player belongs is not responsible for the facts that led to an abandonment, cancellation or forfeiture. 5.2 A yellow card issued during an abandoned Match will be annulled if that Match is replayed and upheld if that Match is not replayed. 5.3 A direct red card issued during an abandoned Match will be upheld, regardless of whether the Match is replayed or not. 6 MISCELLANEOUS PENALTY PROVISIONS 6.1 In the case of the following breaches, the punishment shall be as follows: Clubs Playing Suspended Players 6.2 Clubs charged with playing a player who is under suspension shall appear before the Disciplinary Committee and if the charge is found proven the Disciplinary Committee may at its discretion: 6.2.1 Award the match, and any applicable championship points for a win, to the opposing team, and/or; 6.2.2 Fine the club an amount not exceeding $300, and/or; 6.2.3 Suspend the club for a given number of games or weeks, whichever is the longer period, and/or; 6.2.4 Impose such other penalty as is deemed appropriate for the offence. Clubs Playing Unregistered Players 6.3 The practice of playing players who are not properly registered with the club ( playing on the black ) is regarded as a serious breach of the letter and spirit of the League s rules. 6.4 Clubs charged with playing an unregistered player shall appear before the Disciplinary Committee and if the charge is found proven the Disciplinary Committee may at its discretion impose any one or a

Disciplinary Rules for Players and Clubs P a g e 5 combination of the following penalties: 6.4.1 Award the match, and any applicable championship points for a win, to the opposing team and/or; 6.4.2 Fine the club an amount not exceeding $500 for each and every such offence and/or; 6.4.3 Suspend the club for a given number of games or weeks, whichever is the longer period and/or; 6.4.4 Ban the person who had played or attempted to play. 6.5 Whenever a club is found guilty of fielding one or more suspended or unregistered players during a League championship match, the club shall, in addition to any other penalties imposed by the Disciplinary Committee, forfeit League championship points from whatever League (seniors, reserves, thirds, etc.) the offending player was fielded. Playing in Unauthorised Competitions or Matches 6.6 No club or player shall take part in any competition, nor play in any match, not under the jurisdiction of the South Australian Amateur Soccer League Inc. without receiving the prior written permission of the League. 6.7 Any club in breach of this rule shall be suspended forthwith from all competitions until it appears before the Disciplinary Committee, which may impose such penalty as it deems fit. 6.8 Any player in breach of this rule shall be suspended forthwith, and shall remain suspended until he appears before the Disciplinary Committee, which may impose such penalty as it deems fit. 7 DUAL SUSPENSIONS TREATED CUMULATIVELY 7.1 A player who is suspended by the Disciplinary Committee or who has an automatic suspension imposed for a send off offence and who is also subject to suspension (through separate incidents) for having accumulated 4, 8 or 12 cautions shall serve both periods of suspension cumulatively, that is, one being added to the other. 8 DISCIPLINARY COMMITTEE 8.1 Clubs are subject to the provisions of the Constitution and to the various Rules of Competition promulgated by the League from time to time as to the functions and powers of the Disciplinary Committee. 8.2 The persons who can be brought before the Disciplinary Committee, the matters that can be heard and determined by it and the range of penalties it can impose, are set out in section 12 of the SAASL Constitution.

Disciplinary Rules for Players and Clubs P a g e 6 8.3 Certain breaches incur automatic monetary penalties which are listed in the Schedule of Automatic Fines published by the League prior to the commencement of the season. 8.4 Where an offence for which an automatic fine is prescribed is alleged, the Management Committee may, at its absolute discretion, elect to not impose the automatic fine and instead to lay the appropriate charge and bring the matter before the Disciplinary Committee for determination. 9 ADMINISTRATIVE DEALING 9.1 This section 9 applies only in relation to penalties to be imposed under sub-clause 4.4 above (the more serious red card offences). 9.2 The Disciplinary Committee may in its absolute discretion but subject to sub-clause 9.4 below, choose to deal with its consideration of the period of suspension to be imposed on a player, administratively. 9.3 A player dealt with administratively will be sent a notice of suspension form. 9.4 If the Disciplinary Committee receives notice, within 3 days of the match in which the player is sent off, from the player that he wishes to make submissions to the Committee and/or call evidence, then the matter must not be dealt with administratively. 9.5 The usual rights of appeal apply in respect of any decision made under this clause. 9.6 Any administrative decision made under this clause will be made on the basis of the information appearing in the referee s report, which information will be presumed to be correct. 9.7 Where a suspended player makes application for a hearing, or where the Disciplinary Committee deems it appropriate, a disciplinary hearing will be convened to hear any matter that comes before the Disciplinary Committee and the matter cannot be dealt with administratively. 10 DISCIPLINARY HEARING PROCEDURES 10.1 Disciplinary hearings are not bound by the rules of evidence usually applicable to procedures in courts of law. 10.2 All hearings must be conducted in accordance and principles of natural justice including ensuring that an offender has had: 10.2.1 Reasonable and sufficient notice and detail of the alleged infringement; and

Disciplinary Rules for Players and Clubs P a g e 7 10.2.2 The opportunity to: 10.2.2.1 be heard; 10.2.2.2 give and call evidence; 10.2.2.3 tender any relevant document or item of real evidence; and 10.2.2.4 make submissions in relation to the issues of infringement and sanction. 10.3 The Disciplinary Committee (or the Management Committee as the case may be) has the right to determine all procedures to be adopted in any disciplinary hearing before it and may: 10.3.1 grant or order an adjournment to provide parties with additional time or to consider additional information; 10.3.2 admit into evidence: 10.3.2.1 oral testimony; 10.3.2.2 documents; 10.3.2.3 reports from match officials; 10.3.2.4 declarations or oral evidence from the parties and any witnesses; 10.3.2.5 oral or written statements and opinions of suitably qualified experts; and 10.3.2.6 video or audio recordings; and 10.3.3 order the attendance of, and the calling of evidence from, any relevant registered player, club official or match official; 10.3.4 otherwise exercise any of the powers provided by section 12 of the Constitution. 10.4 If any registered player, club official or match official fails to comply with any order or direction made by the Disciplinary Committee, that Committee can in its discretion: 10.4.1 summarily deal with that failure to comply at a separate hearing and impose what penalty it deems appropriate; 10.4.2 refer it to a differently constituted Disciplinary Committee;

Disciplinary Rules for Players and Clubs P a g e 8 10.4.3 refer it to the Management Committee. 10.5 Facts contained in a Referee s Report are, unless challenged, presumed to be accurate. 10.6 At a disciplinary hearing: 10.6.1 a party may attend in person or by phone; 10.6.2 the player, the league and any Club involved in the hearing may be represented by an officer, member or employee of that party; 10.7 Hearings are in private and the Disciplinary Committee may refuse entry to any person who is not directly involved in the matter, including the media; and 10.8 Any witness that a party intends to call to give evidence in a hearing must remain outside the hearing room until called to give evidence. 10.9 When determining any appropriate penalty, the Disciplinary Committee may consider: 10.9.1 the Recommended Sanctions as specified in Recommended Sanctions; 10.9.2 the nature and severity of the infringement; 10.9.3 the offender s past record and whether or not this is a repeated offence; 10.9.4 the culpability of the offender (including whether or not the infringement was intentional, negligent or reckless); 10.9.5 seriousness of the offence; 10.9.6 the remorse of the offender; 10.9.7 the attitude of any victim; 10.9.8 any extenuating circumstances; and 10.9.9 any other relevant matter. 10.10 Implementation of disciplinary sanctions: 10.10.1 The implementation of a sanction may be suspended and if so the person sanctioned is subject to a probationary period. If that person commits another infringement during the probationary period, the suspension is automatically

Disciplinary Rules for Players and Clubs P a g e 9 revoked and the sanction is applied in addition to any sanction determined for the new infringement. 10.10.2 A suspended player transferring to a new club will be required to serve the remainder of that suspension and will not be permitted to play until the suspension had been served in its entirety with his or her new club. 10.11 If a party fails without reasonable excuse to attend a Disciplinary Committee hearing, the matter can be heard and determined in that party s absence, including as to a determination of the infringementand /or the imposition of a penalty. 10.12 Where the Disciplinary Committee at or before a disciplinary hearing considers on the information before it, that: 10.12.1 The matter is of sufficient seriousness; or 10.12.2 That a penalty outside the range of penalties that the Disciplinary Committee is empowered to impose, might be the appropriate sanction if the charge(s) or allegations in due course be proved; Then the Disciplinary Committee may refer the hearing to the Management Committee for hearing. 10.13 The parties may be heard on the question of any decision to refer the matter to the Management Committee. 10.14 If any matter be so referred to the Management Committee, the Management Committee will then hear the matter in accordance with these Rules and all provisions in the rules relating to the Disciplinary Committee will apply with equal force to such a hearing before the Management Committee, subject to the following provisions: 10.14.1 the matter cannot be dealt with administratively; 10.14.2 the Management Committee s powers of penalty are and continue to be those set out in sub-clause 12(m) of the Constitution; and 10.14.3 any party has the same rights of appeal from any decision of the Management Committee as it would have from a decision of the Disciplinary Committee. 11 DETERMINATION AND RIGHT OF APPEAL 11.1 If a person or member team the subject of a disciplinary hearing is adversely affected by a decision of the relevant committee, that person may appeal that decision.

Disciplinary Rules for Players and Clubs P a g e 10 11.2 In order to appeal, the appellant must provide the League with an Appeal Notice within 7 days after the date on which the written determination was received by him or it. 11.3 An appeal hearing shall commence within 14 days of the Appeal Notice s being properly lodged with the League on the appointed day and at a time as advised by the League. 11.4 The Appeal Notice must be in the form of Prescribed Appeal Notice and must specify: 11.4.1 The date of the decision; 11.4.2 The parties in the disciplinary hearing; 11.4.3 The decision appealed from; 11.4.4 The ground(s) of appeal; and 11.4.5 Whether the appellant wishes to be heard on the appeal or whether he is content for the SAASL Appeal Board to determine the appeal on the basis of written submissions. 11.5 The only grounds of appeal available to an appellant are: 11.5.1 Sentence manifestly excessive; 11.5.2 Except in the case of obvious error (such as a right decision against a wrong player or mistaken identity) There is no appeal from a minimum match suspension. 11.5.3 Material error of fact (where material means likely to have an effect on the outcome on the decision). 11.6 The Appeal Notice must be delivered during normal business hours or sent by certified mail to the General Secretary of the League within 7 days of the club being informed in writing of the decision of the Disciplinary or Management Committee. 11.7 All decisions of a Disciplinary or Management Committee remain in force unless and until: 11.7.1 The Committee which made the decision considers there are special circumstances which make it just to order a stay of the effect of the decision pending appeal; 11.7.2 The Appeal Board, before, during or after the hearing of the appeal, considers there are special circumstances which make it just to order a stay of the effect of the decision pending appeal;

Disciplinary Rules for Players and Clubs P a g e 11 11.7.3 They are reversed by the Appeal Board. 11.8 Where the decision appealed from: 11.8.1 is manifestly excessive; 11.8.2 relies on a materially wrong finding of fact; 11.8.3 is based upon an error of law; the Appeal Board may do any of the following: 11.8.4 allow the appeal; 11.8.5 refer it back to the Committee which made the decision, for rehearing in accordance with the Board s reasons; 11.8.6 for proper reason, refer it a differently constituted Management Committee or Disciplinary Committee; 11.8.7 reduce any penalty imposed; 11.8.8 substitute its own orders for the orders made by the committee; 11.8.9 do nothing (even though allowing the appeal); 11.8.10 dismiss the appeal; and 12 APPEAL PROCEDURE 11.8.11 make orders in respect of fees. 12.1 The Appeal Board will determine the proper procedure to be followed at any appeal. 12.2 Where the appeal is from a decision made in an oral disciplinary hearing (as opposed to an administrative hearing), the Appeal Board will only permit further evidence to be tendered to it in exceptional circumstances. 12.3 Where the decision appealed from was made in an administrative hearing, the parties before the Appeal Board shall be permitted to call witnesses to give evidence and to tender real and documentary evidence. 13 FEES 13.1 Where a disciplinary hearing is, due to the request of the party, heard in full and not administratively, the requesting party will pay a fee of $30.00.

Disciplinary Rules for Players and Clubs P a g e 12 13.2 That fee is only refundable: 13.2.1 In the absolute discretion of the Committee presiding over the disciplinary hearing; 13.2.2 If the party requesting the oral hearing is successful in obtaining the orders it sought. 13.3 When a person or member club lodges an Appeal Notice, to be received by the League, it must be accompanied by payment of a fee of $50.00. 13.4 That fee: 13.4.1 is only refunded in the event that the appeal is allowed and even then, only in the absolute discretion of the Appeal Board presiding over the appeal; 13.4.2 is, in the event that the appeal is dismissed by the Appeal Board, forfeited. 14 RECORDS and PUBLICATION 14.1 The League shall keep a record of all disciplinary and appeal hearings. 14.2 The League may, in its absolute discretion, publish the results of disciplinary hearings. 14.3 Such publication can only be made after: 14.3.1 the time limit for bringing an appeal has expired (in the case where there is to be no appeal); 14.3.2 an appeal is heard and determined.

Disciplinary Rules for Players and Clubs P a g e 13 ADDENDUM 1 SEND OFF CODES DESCRIPTION SUSPENSION MINIMUM MAXIMUM R1 Serious Foul Play 1 Match 8 Matches R1 Offences (Examples) Violent Tackle from behind that endangers the safety of an 3 Matches 8 Matches opponent Two footed challenge 2 Matches 8 Matches Jumping into a tackle with one or both feet off the ground 3 Matches 8 Matches Violent Charging 2 Matches 8 Matches R2 R2 Offences (Examples) Violent Conduct Charging 2 Matches 8 Matches Head Butting 3 Matches 12 Matches Elbowing or Punching not to the head 2 Matches 8 Matches Elbowing or Punching to the head 3 Matches 12 Matches Kicking 2 Matches 8 Matches R3 Spitting at an opponent or any other person 6 Matches 12 Matches Spitting on an opponent or any other person 8 Matches 20 Matches R6 Using offensive, insulting or abusive language and/or gestures 1 Match 12 Matches R6 Offences (Examples) Using threatening or intimidating language or action 2 Matches 12 Matches Use of discriminatory language and/or gestures including ethnic, 5 Matches 12 Matches racist, religious or sexists R4, R5 & R7 1 Match 1 Match

Disciplinary Rules for Players and Clubs P a g e 14 OFFENCES BY PARTICIPANTS AGAINST MATCH OFFICIALS NUMBER DESCRIPTION SUSPENSION MINIMUM MAXIMUM R6 1 Threatening or intimidating a Match Official by word or action 8 Matches Life 2 Tripping a Match Official 10 Matches Life 3 Pushing with open hand, shoulder or hip 1 Year Life 4 Striking with the ball or other object 6 Matches Life 5 Punching, kicking or elbowing Life Life 6 Spitting 1 Year Life 7 Use of offensive, insulting or abusive language and/or gestures against or about a Match Official 2 Matches 12 Matches