LEHIGH VALLEY SOCCER LEAGUE

LEHIGH VALLEY SOCCER LEAGUE

RULES OF PLAY

Revised: October 4, 1995

I. The Rules of Play will be governed by the FIFA Laws of the Game except as indicated herewith.

II. Starting Time

Senior games will begin at 2:30 PM unless notified otherwise. A period of 15 minutes to be

allowed for lateness. The game is to begin as soon as the late team can field seven (7) players

but not later than 15 minutes after scheduled start time. Additional players may enter play

with the permission of the referee.

III. Line-up Sheet

Each team is required to present a line-up sheet to the referee prior to the start of the game.

1. Maximum of 18 players may appear on the line-up.

2. Minimum of 7 players are required to play the game.

3. Information required on the line-up MUST be as follows:

a. Jersey number.

b. Pass number.

c. Print player’s full name.

d. See Par. VIII Section 3 for additional details for proper procedure for player

playing without a pass.

IV. Substitutions.

Unlimited substitution shall exist. Substitutions may occur with the permission of the referee at

the following times:

1. Possession - throw in

2. Either team - goal kick

3. Either team - after a goal is scored

4. Either team - half-time

5. Injury - injured player(s). The opposing team may substitute a like number of players.

V. Abandonment of Game.

ONLY THE REFEREE MAY TERMINATE THE GAME under the following conditions.

1. Inclement weather. One-half of the referee fee must be paid by the home team.

2. Infringement on his ability to officiate the game properly. In such a case, the Executive

Committee shall conduct a hearing within 30 days to determine which team(s) was/

were responsible for the abandonment of the game.

3. The game shall not be prematurely terminated by either of the two teams under any

circumstances. If a team(s) does/do so, it/both will forfeit the game. When both teams

abandon the game, the Executive Committee will determine the score. The offending

team(s) will be liable for payment of the referee fee and a $50.00 forfeit fine.

4. The team(s) responsible for abandonment of the game will be liable for payment of the

referee fees and shall incur a minimum fine of $50.00. The Executive Committee shall

determine the final score of the game in question.

VI. League Standings.

1. The following point system will be used to determine the standings:

a. Win - 2 points

b. Tie - 1 point

c. Loss - 0 point

2a. In case of a tie in the standings, the following tiebreakers will be used:

a. head - to - head competition

b. goal differential

c. single game play-off

2b. A two-division format in scheduling shall prevail unless the number of participating

teams is less than 14.

3. Relegation or advancement will be determined as follows:

a. The official final standing shall be determining authority.

b. The last place team in the “A” Division shall be relegated to the “B” Division

in the next season of play.

c. The first place team in the “B” Division shall advance to the “A” Division in

the next season of play.

d. Any new team entering the League shall enter into the “B” Division.

4. It shall be within the scope of authority of the Games Chairman to schedule all make-up

games. Failure to appear by either or both teams will result in a forfeit or double forfeit

and a $50.00 fine for either/both teams.

VII. Home Team Responsibilities.

Failure to meet any of the following responsibilities will result in a $10.00 fine:

1. Playing field is properly marked, including:

a. Regulation corner flags

b. Adequate goal nets

c. Provision of adequate space for linesman to perform duties on the entire length

of the field.

d. Proper lining of field. An unlined field will result in a $20.00 fine.

2. Conflict in colors of jerseys. It is the home team’s responsibility to change jerseys in

case of color conflict.

3. The official(s) must be paid by the end of the game. Any teams failing to pay the

referee(s) will be fined $10.00 and shall not be assigned officials until the obligation

is paid.

4. The home team must report the score and FULL NAME of goal scorer to the Publicity

Chairman by 8:00 PM. A fine of $5.00 will be charged for failure to do so.

5. Home team must provide two game balls, both properly inflated.

6. Both teams must file the Referee Evaluation Report to EPSA or be fined $5.00 for

failure to do so if the report is not received within 5 days after the day of the game.

VIII. Suspensions

1. Expulsion from Game - Players, coaches or officials who have been sent off, or who

have been reported for misconduct equal to a sending off offense by the referee, shall

automatically incur the minimum penalty for the offense committed. Such players,

coaches or officials shall be suspended immediately from all soccer activity under the

jurisdiction of the EPSA. Additional penalties may be imposed after review by the

delegated authority and/or Arbitration Board.

2. Eligibility - An eligible player is one who has been properly registered, has a valid,

current player-pass, is not under suspension and whose name appears on the line-up

sheet. A club which permits an ineligible player to take part in a game shall be

penalized with the loss of points and fined for a sum of not less than $25.00 per

ineligible player. A player who signs a registration form for a second club without

obtaining a release from his/hers first club (double registration), shall be automatically

suspended for four (4) games.

3. Player playing without player pass - The referee cannot deny participation of a player

in a game. A player without a pass must sign the line-up sheet in the presence of the

referee. If the status of the player is questioned, the team/club must prove of the player’s

eligibility within 72 hours after the game. If a player is under suspension, his name

should not appear on the team’s lineup. For instance, a suspended player’s name already

appearing on the lineup sheet should be blackened out not merely crossed out.

4a. Improperly marked jerseys - No players, playing on the same team, may wear the same

numbered jersey, except the goalkeeper. No player may wear a jersey which does not

have a number on it. The penalty for either offense is a $10.00 fine to the club per

player.

4b. Shinguards - If a player is playing without shinguards contrary to current USSF reg-

ulations and FIFA Laws of the Game (Law IV - Player’s Equipment), the team shall be

fined $10.00 for each player violations.

5. Private club/cup tournaments - Clubs staging or playing in a private (not sanctioned by

the USSF or its affiliates) club/cup tournament shall be fined for violation of the rules

governing these tournaments as defined in Article VII, Section 5 of the EPSA By Laws.

6. Attempt to induce player to change clubs - In cases where it can be proven that a

deliberate attempt was made to induce a player to change his/her club, the person or

club responsible for such an attempt shall be fined $50.00.

7. Forfeited Games

a. If a game is forfeited to an opponent without play, or if the Arbitration Board

or its delegate authority orders a forfeit against the offending club, the

opponent will be credited with a one-to-zero (1:0) win. A team forfeiting a

game will be fined $50.00.

If the Games Chairman is not notified within 5 hours prior to the start of the

game, the referee’s fee will be added to the $50.00 fine. Two forfeits in the

entire season will result in a special League meeting to vote for the expulsion

of the team from the League.

b. If neither team fails to show up for a scheduled league game and fails to notify

the Games Chairman within 72 hours, both teams will be credited with a loss,

fined $100.00 and pay half the referee fees.

c. If a league game needs to be rescheduled for any reason, both coaches and the

Games Chairman must agree to reschedule the game at least 72 hours prior to

game time. If no agreement is reached, the team(s) not showing up will be

charged with a forfeit.

d. If a game is rescheduled within 72 hours of starting time and the officials are

not reassigned, they will be reimbursed for half the game fee. If the game is

called off less than 5 hours before the scheduled start time, they will be re-

imbursed for the full fee.

8. Detrimental to Good and Welfare - Any player or club official whose activities or actions

are considered to be detrimental to the good and welfare of soccer shall be suspended

for at least one game.

9. Cautions (yellow cards).

a. Accumulation of 3 yellow cards in one season: 1 game suspension.

b. Accumulation of 5 yellow cards in one season: 2 game suspension.

c. Accumulation of 6 or more yellow cards in one season will result in a 3 game

suspension and a review by the Executive Board for further action.

d. All unserved suspensions due to red cards received up to and including the

final game of the season will be carried over to the next season.

e. Cautions that have been accumulated during the present season will not carry

over to the next season, except in the case of the above mentioned sub-article C.

10. Foul or abusive language toward an opponent or spectator - 2 games suspension.

11. Rough play - 2 games suspension.

12. Dissent of referee’s decision - 2 games suspension.

13. Persistent misconduct (after having received a caution) - 2 games suspension.

14. Violent conduct or serious foul play - 3 games suspension.

15. Assault of Opponent - A player, who has been sent off the field for spitting on or

assaulting (including fighting) an opponent, shall be suspended at least as follows:

a. First offense - 2 games and team warning.

b. Second offense (any player) - 4 games and $25.00 fine.

c. Second offense (same player) - 6 games and $50.00 fine.

Referee to specify each incident in detail.

16. Abuse of Referee - Referee abuse is a verbal statement or physical act which implies or

threatens physical harm to a referee or the referee’s property or equipment. Abuse

includes, but is not limited to the following acts committed upon a referee: using foul

or abusive language toward a referee, spewing any beverage on a referee’s personal

property, or verbally threatening a referee.

A player or club official who has been sent off the field for referee and/or linesman

abuse shall be suspended at least as follows:

a. First offense - 3 games, $25.00 fine, plus team warning.

b. Second and subsequent offense (same player) - 6 games plus fine of $50.00.

A player insulting a referee in uniform before, during or after a game, even though

he/she is only a spectator in that particular game, may still receive a one game

suspension.

17. Assault on Referee - A player or official of a club who assaults the referee shall be auto-

matically suspended for at least one (1) year, unless serious injuries are inflicted, then

the minimum suspension period will be at least five (5) years. Assault includes hitting,

kicking, punching, choking, spitting at or on, grabbing or bodily running into a

referee.

If a repetition occurs, a special meeting of the Executive Committee shall determine

the team’s eligibility to remain in the League.

ALL assaults of referees fall under the jurisdiction of EPSA and will be handled by the

EPSA Arbitration Board.

IX. Index of Fines

Failure to file Referee Evaluation Report .................. $ 5.00

Failure to Report Game Score.................................... 5.00

Improper Field Markings........................................... 20.00

Ineligible Player......................................................... 25.00

Abuse of Referee - Second Offense............................. 50.00

Non-Appearance........................................................100.00

Forfeited Game - Referee fees plus fine of.................. 50.00

Abandonment of Game.............................................. 50.00

Attempt to Induce Player to Change Clubs................. 50.00

All Other Fines.......................................................... As Listed