Game Conduct

Winton Valley SAY Game Conduct and Penalties

All Coaches, Parents, Referees and players need to be aware of the Winton Valley SAY Game Conduct and Penalties and the associated with infractions during games of Winton Valley SAY. If you have questions about this material, please email Winton Valley SAY. In the instance when a protest is sought, SAY Organizational Rule 9 applies. Other escalation procedures, including sharing of incident reports and inter-district communication procedures, can be found here.

SAY soccer is a recreational sport that can and should be enjoyed by all involved. In order to provide this kind of atmosphere, it is the responsibility of all officials, players, coaches, and spectators to exhibit good sportsmanship before, during and after every game. It is to this end that any unsportsmanlike behavior will be dealt with accordingly.

GAME CONDUCT AND PENALTIES

1. A "yellow card" is a first serious warning of unsportsmanlike behavior.

2. A "red card" is a notice of injection for serious unsportsmanlike behavior.

3. A second "yellow card" in the same game is an automatic "red card", and immediate ejection is required.

4. A "red card" may be given without a previous "yellow card" warning.

5. A "yellow-carded" player may be substituted for at the time of the warning in accordance with Law Three.

6. A "red-carded" player may retire to the sideline and remain there quietly, unless directed otherwise by the referee.

7. A "red-carded" player may not be replaced on the field. The team must play the remainder of the game short-handed.

8. A "red-carded" coach or spectator will be required to leave the field of play--out of earshot and eyesight of the referee.

9. Any refusal of an individual to leave the field upon the request by a referee will result in the immediate termination of the game.

10. Any "red card" offense by players, coaches, and/or spectators before, during, or after any game will be subject to review by the Franchise Board and further sanctions may be imposed.

PLAYER CONDUCT AND PENALTIES

CONDUCT	MINIMUM PENALTY
1. Abusive language toward officials, players, coaches or spectators	Ejection and one-game suspension
2. Threatening actions or gestures towards officials, players, coaches, or spectators	Ejection and one-game suspension
3. Striking or fighting with another player on or off the field; before, during, or after the game.	Ejection and one-game suspension
4. Refusal to leave the field after an ejection	One-game suspension
5. Observed using or under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol before or during the game	Ejection and one-game suspension (possible expulsion)
6. Aggressive physical contact with referee (i.e. grabbing the arm, poking, bumping, pushing, turning referee around, etc.)	Ejection and four-game suspension
7. Striking an official	Ejection and expulsion
8. A second serious "red card" offense as listed above	Ejection and two-game suspension
9. A third serious "red card offense as listed above	Ejection and suspension balance of season
10 Multiple "red card" games during the season	Review by the Area Protest Committee with possible suspension if warranted

COACHES AND SPECTATORS CONDUCT AND PENALTIES

CONDUCT	MINIMUM PENALTY
1. Entering the field of play without permission of the referee	One-game suspension (Maximum)
2. Constant or excessive heckling or harassment of the referee, players, or opposing coaches	Probation to one-game suspension (Maximum)
3. Foul or abusive language toward an official	Ejection and two-game suspension (Minimum)
4. Threatening actions or words towards officials, players, coaches or spectators	Ejection and two-game suspension (Minimum)
5. Aggressive physical contact with referee, player, or coach (i.e. grabbing the arm, poking, bumping, pushing, turning referee around, etc.)	Ejection and four-game suspension (Minimum)
6. Refusal to leave the field after an ejection	One game suspension (minimum) and forfeiture of game regardless of time played
7. Striking an official, player, or coach	Ejection and expulsion
8. Instructing players to play in a dangerous or unsportsmanlike manner	Ejection and five-game suspension (Minimum)

Any assessed penalty for gross unsportsmanlike behavior will be carried over to the next playing season.

Any player, coach or spectator under suspension may not attend the team's game nor be in the vicinity of the game within 30-minutes prior to the game. Any violation will result in expulsion and possible game forfeiture.

Expulsion means the individual is out of the program indefinitely. Any violation will result in possible game forfeiture and/or elimination of team from league play and/or necessary legal action against the violator.

All assessed penalties may be appealed to the Area Protest Committee. However, all decisions reached by this committee are final.