Background:
This policy is to outline Towamensing Soccer Club’s (TSC) stance on player, coach, volunteer, parent or any other adult treatment to each other on the field and the consequences therein.This policy will ensure that children of the TSC program are provided a fun and educational soccer experience, as they are entitled.
Scope:
The scope of this policy will cover all forms of respect and discipline, by allowing league referees and TSC Board of Directors to utilize accordingly.
Policy:
This policy will cover the following items:
- -Definition of Respect
- -Definition of Discipline
- -Referee Role and Responsibilities
- -Linesman
- -Complaint procedures
- -List of Offenses and resulting action
- -Discipline Procedure
- -Appeals Process
Each area will defined under the process section of this policy.
Process:
Definition of Respect
This is the simple definition of the term respect according to Merriam-Webster http://www.merriam-webster.com :
“: a feeling or understanding that someone or something is important, serious, etc., and should be treated in an appropriate way”
Examples:
“I expect to be treated with respect.”
“The Cat only grinned when it saw Alice. It looked good-natured, she thought: still it had VERY long claws and a great many teeth, so she felt that it ought to be treated with respect. —Lewis Carroll, Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, 1865″
Definition of Discipline
This is the simple definition of the term discipline according to Merriam-Webster http://www.merriam-webster.com :
“: control that is gained by requiring that rules or orders be obeyed and punishing bad behavior “
“: a way of behaving that shows a willingness to obey rules or orders “
“: behavior that is judged by how well it follows a set of rules or orders “
Examples:
“The teacher has a hard time maintaining discipline in the classroom.”
“He stood erect, his bearing patrician, his dress impeccable. His face was stern and his pale eyes unsmiling behind his trifocals, like a man who had been called from important duties in the principal’s office to administer discipline to an unruly classroom. —Nick Taylor, Laser, 2000″
Referee Role and Responsibilities
The Referee, is the official for ensuring that both teams and staff follow in accordance to FIFA rules, house rules and inter-league rules.The foundation of all soccer rules used by officials are in the following link:
http://www.usyouthsoccer.org/coaches/PolicyonPlayersandPlayingRules/
TSC has additional rules that overlay on top of the rules created by FIFA they appear below as follows:
U-5No Assigned Referee
U-7No Assigned Referee
U-9Referee Assigned by League
U-11Referee Assigned by League
U-13Referee Assigned by League
U-16Referee Assigned by League
* U-5 & U-7 will have coaches referee opposite sides of the field.
1. Referees are to be treated with respect and should not be subjected to abuse and/or questions from the sidelines. Improper conduct will be reported to the league for disciplinary action. It should be noted that this conduct includes actions performed at anytime while the referee is present. Any person(s) who in any way threatens a referee will be brought before the league for disciplinary action.The referee is in charge of the field from the time they appear for the game from the time they leave the field, this includes after the game has ended, the referee still maintains control until they are away from the field vicinity.
2. In the event that no referee is present for the game, the league suggests that the game be played. A substitute referee shall be selected using the following procedure
a. A substitute referee will be assigned.
b. If coaches feel that they are the only ones qualified to be referee, each coach should only do a half. Each coach should determine who shall referee the first half by a flip a coin. This procedure should begin immediately at the scheduled game time if no referee is present. DO NOT wait 10 or 15 minutes in hope that a referee will show up.
3. In the event that no mutually agreed upon referee is selected, the game must be rescheduled referencing (weather related postponements).
4. Upon arrival of a late referee, the official referee will take over at the next stoppage of the game.
5. The referee determines playability of the field, considering equipment, lining and weather conditions. Soccer is not regarded as a fair weather sport.
6. Games should continue if possible. Blinding rain, hail, large puddles in goal mouth, excessive snow and lightning are examples of good reasons for delaying or rescheduling a game.
7. The referee is encouraged to keep time on the field, but may choose to use a volunteer on the sideline. Only the referee may add time to a game for lost time due to injury, or the ball out of play beyond a reasonable distance, etc. Only the referee may stop a game.
8. Game reports should be placed in the Referee Box in the shed at the end of the day. If a player was injured in a match, or a yellow/red card used, a call to the President/Vice President should be made as soon after the match as possible. (When Applicable)
9.The Referee will issue yellow/red cards to players and staff.The referee does NOT need to do this for linesman or parents and can ask them to leave the premises immediately.
Linesman
1. Volunteer linesmen are to be provided by each team and MUST be older than the players on the field.
2. Linesman will show no biased by word or action. Volunteer Linesman will be treated as any other adult regarding discipline and ejection.
3. They are to wave the flag when the ball FULLY crosses over the touchline. It is NOT their job to call whom it is out on, unless the referee asks for help. Nor are they allowed to call offsides or fouls.
Complaint Procedures
1. In the interest of fairness, and good sportsmanship, the league will review any matters reported within 48 hours of an incident, to the president of the league, where players or adults are reported guilty of using offensive, insulting, or abusive language. The league will also investigate any reports of spitting at another person, violent conduct, or cases where a person continues unsporting behavior or shows dissent by word or action after a previous warning for such behavior at a TSC event, or match. That warning could come from the referee, advocate, or coach of a match, or a board member at any event or match.
2. This review will be done by a panel of at least 3 board members, and they will meet with all parties involved, and their decision could result in up to a 2 game suspension. The panel’s decision will be reported to the whole board as soon as possible.
3. An appeal may be made of the panel’s decision to a quorum of the board, but it must be made in writing within 72 hours of the panel’s decision, and sent to the league president. All appeals will be accompanied by a $20.00 fee which will be refunded if the appeal is upheld, and forfeited if denied.
Appeals
1. Judgment decisions made by the referee may not be appealed.
List of Offenses and Resulting Action
OFFENSES AGAINST REFEREE
1. Deliberately hitting a referee, or trying to (i.e. hand or foot)
a. First offence: 1 year
b. Second offence: 2 years minimum
2. Throwing a soccer ball at a referee
a. First offense: 2 games
b. Second offense: 4 games minimum
3. Throwing other objects at a referee
a . First offense: 2 games
b. Second offense: 4 games minimum
4. Spitting at a referee
a. First offense: 4 games
b. Second offense: 8 games minimum
5. Verbally threatening a referee or using flagrant profanity
a. First offense: 2 games
b. Second offense: 4 games minimum
6. Obscene gestures at a referee
a. First offense: 2 games
b. Second offense: 4 games
7. Red Card issued to player
a. First Offense: 2 games (Including the one ejected)
b. Second Offense: 1 year suspension
GENERAL OFFENSES – AGAINST STAFF, FANS, PARENTS or OTHER
1. Fighting (contact is made)
a. First offense: 2 games
b. Second offense: League Termination
2. Trying to hit someone
a. First offense: 2 games
b. Second offense: League Termination
3. Throwing objects (i.e. soccer ball) at people
a. First offense: 2 games
b. Second offense: League Termination
4. Spitting at someone (including spitting on one’s hand prior to shaking an opponent’s hand)
a. First offense: 1 game
b. Second offense: 2 games
c. Third offense: League Termination
5. Flagrant profanity
a. First offense: 1 game
b. Second offense: 2 games
c. Third offense: 3 games
6. Verbally threatening someone
a. First offense: 1 game
b. Second offense: 2 games minimum
7. Obscene gestures at someone
a. First offense: 1 game
b. Second offense: 2 games minimum
8. All ejections
a. First offense: 1 game
b. Second offence: 2 games minimum
The referee will stop the clock of the match, until the offender leaves the field by at least a shouting distance. Under no circumstances will anyone use any force to get someone to leave the playing area! If the offender refuses to leave the playing area, the game will be discontinued, and the referee will note all facts in their game report to be reviewed by the board.
Non-Game Related offenses
- 1.Bullying
- a.First offense: 1 game
- b.Second offense: 2 games
- c.Third offense: League Termination
- 2.Slander against another individual (Including Slander, Bullying and Cyber-Bullying)
- a.First offense: 2 games, revocation of voting membership status
- b.Second offense: Permanent League Termination
- 3.Slander to a local business on another individual
- a.Permanent League Termination
- 4.Spreading Rumors that impact individuals
- a.First offense: 1 game, revocation of voting membership status
- b.Second offense: 1 year suspension
- 5.Offensive remarks (Racist, Anti-Semitic or other discriminatory behavior, etc.)
- a.First offense: 2 games
- b.Second offense: 4 games
- c.Third offense: Permanent League Termination
- 6.Disruptions during Board Proceedings
- a.First offense: Revocation of Voting status
- b.Second offense: League Termination
Note: Any infractions that are cause to remove voting membership status from an Officer and Director will be grounds for a disciplinary review that may include removing said Board Member from status.
Discipline Procedure
The board shall review all cases of misconduct and may levy penalties more severe than listed above. We do not expect any of these penalties will need to be applied; but the TSC cannot and will not tolerate unsuitable behavior, especially in front of the children.
Coach Obligations
1. Coaches cited in a game report by the referee, for misconduct will be reviewed by the board
2. Any coach responsible for abandoning a match is subject to a 2 game suspension pending review by the board.
3. Coaches are responsible for their players’ and parents’ behavior.
GAME or FIELD INCIDENTS
If a field incident takes place, an e-mail should be provided to the TSC League President and TSC League Vice President – identifying age group, boys or girls, field location, date and time of game, the name and number of both teams, and a description of the incident.This incident must be reported within the 48 hour window as per the complaint procedure.
Procedure of Referee Discipline
TSC’s stance on Referee decisions are absolute, if a Referee issues a Red Card during a game, it will not be disputed and the board will abide by accordingly.The only exception will be if the Red Card comes from a Coach, Staff member or any other adult.
If a red card during a game by a referee or the referee issues an adult ejection (in the case of a fan or parent), TSC will contact both Coaches and the Referee and any other adult involved in the incident.A review will take place to determine if any further action is necessary.Discipline can up to and include permanent removal from TSC or even contacting the local authorities to resolve in a criminal manner.
Other matters regarding discipline
Any physical contact between two adults will be reported to the local authorities such as the Park Rangers or the Pennsylvania State Police.
If an incident occurs on the sideline witnessed by a Director or Officer, they reserve the right to ask that individual to leave the premises in a respectful manner.If dissent is given, contact the TSC President and Vice President immediately for response.If dissent continues and the individual refuses to leave, the Director or Officer should contact the Park Ranger or Pennsylvania State Police accordingly.This applies to any individual that is not a player, coach, staff, linesman or referee.
Matters of Board Review
The Board will review all matters related to coach and parent incidents.If a formal review is necessary it will include only the two parties involved and nobody else, procedure will include following:
- 1)Hearing from the accuser
- 2)Hearing from the accused
- 3)Board Decision
Hearing of the accuser and hearing of the accused are closed and confidential, the accuser will not hear the accused testify and visa-versa.No “witnesses” are permitted.No rebuttals or will be permitted and Board Decision is final.The Board reserves the right to impose a higher level of discipline not listed in the offenses section if felt necessary.
Appeals Process
There are no appeals to the process, all decisions made by the board are final, if the league membership feels that punishment was unfair, they can motion for removal of punishment at next board meeting.All eligible voting member will place a vote to overturn board decision as stated in the By-Laws.
Roles and Responsibilities:
President – Oversees the discipline process and notified when incidents occur.
Vice President – Necessary role for two-deep leadership and notified when incidents occur.
Board of Directors – TSC’s governing entity who are the final say when it comes to any disciplinary matters.
Coach – Adult volunteer responsible for directing and controlling their player base and parents on the soccer field.
Staff – The team coaching staff including Team Manager, Assistant Coach or other sideline volunteer.
Linesman – The individual in charge to waving the flag in the event the ball rolls out of bounds.
Referee – The individual in charge of the soccer field during their entire physical presence before, during and after the game.
Fan – Individual on the sideline that are in a spectating capacity
Parent – Individual who has a child on either team in play
Adult – Any other spectator or otherwise not mentioned above.
Park Ranger – Individual operating in an authoritative capacity at our Beltzville lake location.
Pennsylvania State Police – Authoritative entity
Update/Approval History:
Created: 02/15/2016 – William J. Marks II, TSC League President
Updated: 02/25/2016 – William J. Marks II, TSC League President
Approved: 03/02/2016 – Board of Directors