PLAYER CONDUCT

There will be no slide tackling.

The Referee shall penalize foul or abusive language, or inappropriate gestures directed at players, referees, parents/guardians, or coaches by other players. He, or she, may issue a Yellow or Red Card to the offending player engaged in using inappropriate tone, language, or gestures.

Harassment of any player or referee will not be tolerated by the league.

SPECTATOR/COACH CONDUCT

Coaching from the sidelines during the games will be limited to verbal communications, without the use of aids. Goal lines (end line) will be kept clear of all spectators and Coaches. Coaches are not allowed on the field during games unless called on by the Referee. An exception to this rule can be granted at the beginning of the season for 2^nd grade division and below. These Coaches can help direct and place their Players on the field for the first few games of the season if the opposing Coach and Referee agree.

For games played at Chancellor's Run Regional Park and Lancaster Park, parents/guardians will reside on the sideline opposite the teams. Coaches and their teams will remain on the sidelines in an area 20 yards in length. The boundaries start at the halfway line of the playing field, one (1) yard from and parallel to the touch line in the touch area (out of play area) and proceed to the left or right at a right angle from the halfway line for 10 yards in each direction. Both teams and their Coaches will remain in the designated area during play. One team will take the left half and the opposing team will take the right half.

At the fields in Hollywood this requirement has been relaxed, due to current field layout.  Should parents/guardians become abusive or intrusive during the games played there, arrangements will be made for the separation of parents/guardians and players.

REFEREES

Concern for player safety is of the highest priority in youth soccer; therefore, referees will be protective of players at all times. As an example the league wants to ensure the protection of the goal keeper by always assuming the goalkeeper has possession of the ball when the ball is on or under his/her hand, even if he/she has is only touching the ball. This protects the goalkeeper from injury.

The Referee shall penalize foul or abusive language, or inappropriate gestures directed at players, referees, parents/guardians, or coaches by other players, coaches, parents/guardians, or spectators.  He, or she, may issue a Yellow or Red Card to the offending player, or coach, or eject the spectator(s) engaged in using inappropriate tone, language, or gestures. Coaches and parents/guardians are responsible for the conduct of their teams and their fans. Harassment of any player or referee will not be tolerated by the league.

SMYS fully understands the requirement to support the Referees and the need for the
referees to have control of the game to maintain a safe and sportsman-like environment.

For instructional purposes, Referee calls are to be made verbally as well as by signal to the player.

Referees will attempt to signal and verbally call "Play-on" decisions.

There will be at least one Referee present at all official games.

Protests of any type are not allowed. All referee decisions are final. Concerns should be submitted in writing, or voiced to the appropriate Division Manager or/and any league official as soon as possible.

RED CARD ADMINISTRATION (GENERAL)

Concern for Player safety is of the highest priority in youth soccer; therefore, Referees will be protective of Players at all times. As an example the league wants to ensure the protection of the goal keeper by always assuming the goal keeper has possession of the ball when the ball is on or under his/her hand, even if he/she has is only touching the ball. This protects the goal keeper from injury.

Foul or abusive language, tone, or inappropriate gestures directed at Players, Referees, Parents, or Coaches by other Players, Coaches or Parents shall be penalized by the Referee issuing a Yellow or Red Card to Player, Coach, Parent(s) that are using inappropriate tone, language, or gestures. Coaches and Parents are responsible for the conduct of their teams and their fans. Harassment of any Player or Referee is not allowed.

Parents, Coaches, and Players will abide by attached Code of Ethics.

There will be no slide tackling in age divisions Kindergarten through 8th grade.For instructional purposes, Referee calls are to be made verbally as well as by signal to the player.

League standings and final scores will not be recorded.

SMYS issued team uniforms will be worn as the outermost garments at all official recreational games. Players will wear sneakers, rubber cleats, or plastics cleats. Metal cleats of any type are not allowed. Coaches and Referees will check Player’s footwear before each game. Shin guards are mandatory for all games and practices. Shin guards must be covered by socks during all official games. Shin guards that are constructed to be part of a sock and if the guard is covered with sufficient padding, known as "Soft Shin Guards", are allowed.

For the safety of the Players, wearing jewelry, barrettes, or necklaces and chewing gum or candy is prohibited during all games.

The Federation Internationale De Football Association (FIFA) Laws will apply during all official games unless directly addressed by modification. All Law changes are listed in the associated "Division Rules" pamphlets provided as attachments to the by-laws and are part of the SMYS by-laws. The Division Rules pamphlets will be reviewed, approved, and distributed each season.

Games will be canceled for foul weather or field conditions. Games will be made up based on availability of fields.

Should the referee issue a Red Card (ejection) to a player, that player will be removed from the game. Should the Referee issue a Red Card to a coach, that coach shall leave the playing field and the assistant coach or a team parent/guardian shall assume the coaching duties for the remainder of the game. A coach that has received a Red Card, or a spectator that has been ejected, shall leave the field in such a manner that the offending person is "out of sight and out of sound" of the playing field. If the offending person does not leave the playing area, as previously stated, the game will be terminated by the referee, and the incident will be reported to the Division Manager.

Any player or coach who receives a Red Card for misconduct during a game will be suspended for the remainder of the present game and for one (1) additional game. The additional game is considered to be the next scheduled game actually played. As an example, if the next schedule game is postponed or canceled for any reason, the following game will be the game the suspension is invoked. However, if the next scheduled game is forfeited because of lack of players or for any other reason(s) not involving misbehavior, then the game will be considered official and the suspension served by the player or coach.

NOTE: All Red Cards that are issued by the Referee are final and cannot be rescinded. The incident can be reviewed for additional action as addressed in these by-laws; however, the automatic game suspension remains intact regardless of the findings of the review process unless reviewed and overturned by the President and two other board members. It is the responsibility of the Referee and the Coach to maintain good order and sportsmanship before, during, and immediately after a game.

RED CARD INCIDENT ADMINISTRATION (DETAILED):

A. Referees shall report all Red Card incidents to the Head Referee or Vice President as soon as possible (no later than 48 hours after the incident). The Head Referee or Vice President may request a written statement with the following information:

Date

Name of person(s) red carded, or ejected.

Indicate if person is a player, coach, parent/guardian, or spectator.

Assigned team

Reason for issuing Red Card

Additional supporting information

B. The Head Referee/Vice President will notify the Division Manager who, in turn, will notify the coach of the team that was issued the Red Card of the one game suspension. The Head Referee/Vice President will forward the information to the SMYS Secretary. Any Board member may recommend to the President or the Secretary any additional actions based on the incident or any other past history of parties involved.

C. After receipt of the information concerning the Red Card incident from the Division Manager, the Secretary will review recommendations (if any), forward a copy to the President, and file all information related to the Red Card incident.  If further action is recommended by the Division Manager or other Board member, the Secretary will contact the President as soon as possible.

INVESTIGATIONS

The SMYS Executive Board shall be empowered to conduct such investigations of members of this league to establish that they are in compliance with all the financial obligations and the fair and equitable promotions, development and administration of soccer as written in the SMYS Constitution and by-laws. If such investigation reveals that the member has not complied with the rules of this League, the SMYS Executive Board shall adjudge the member to be NOT in good standing and shall impose such penalties and sanctions to bring the member into compliance with the precepts of this league.

The President has authority to take any of the following action(s) for any violation of the SMYS Constitution/By-Laws or in response to a red carded player, coach or member as deemed appropriate:

a. Initiate an investigation by one or more members of the Executive Board (excluding the President). The assigned individual or committee will receive instructions by the President to report their findings and recommendations to the President, the Review Board, or Executive Board within 96 hours of the request for investigation.

b. Convene a Review Board consisting of three or more members utilizing Executive Board members (excluding the President) to review the incident or review the findings and recommendations of other investigative individuals or committees initiated by the President as stated above. The Review Board, with a simple majority vote, can recommend to the President that: (a) no further action is warranted; (b) suspensions, sanctions, or other action(s) as deemed appropriate should be issued; or (c) forward the incident to the Executive Board for disposition.

c. Convene the Executive Board at a special meeting to review, investigate, or impose such penalties, sanctions, and or training requirements necessary to make the Parent/Guardian, Player or Coach aware of the fundamental responsibilities they must adhere to as a member of SMYS. This may include, but is not limited to the following: a) requiring the individual(s) to review the constitution and by-laws of SMYS, Maryland State Youth Soccer Association (MSYSA), United States Youth Soccer Association (USYSA), and/or other affiliated Leagues; b) read assigned soccer articles; acquire certification or re-certification of an appropriate Coach’s license(s); c) require the individual to complete the Referee training course; or d) complete any other sanctioned or approved training syllabus as designated by the Executive Board and/or the USYSA. When the assigned training requirements are completed, reinstatement as a Player or member in good standing may be requested of the Executive Board.

d. Approve or veto any or all parts of the recommendation(s) of additional suspension, penalties, training, or any other action(s) deemed appropriate for the member to gain reinstatement to the SMYS by the Review Board or Executive Board. If the President vetoes a recommendation or any part of a recommendation submitted by the Executive Board, the board can override the veto by gaining a 3/4 majority vote. The President would preside over the Executive Board and his vote would be counted as a member of the board.

e. Take no further actions.

If suspensions or sanctions or any other actions are approved by the President, or the Executive Board, the President will provide written and verbal notice to the individual(s) concerned within 45 days of the incident. Additionally, the individual(s) will be provided a copy of the USYSA by-laws which outlines the appeals process that the individual(s) can initiate.

No SMYS member, official, club, league, Coach, Referee, or Player, or their representative, may invoke the aid of the Courts of any State or of the United States without first exhausting all available remedies within appropriate soccer organizations. This includes the MSYSA and as set forth in section 5(c), of Rule 4020, "Appeals", of the USYSA. For violation of this rule, the offending party shall be subject to the sanctions of suspension and fines, and shall be liable to SMYS and other appropriate soccer organizations for all expenses incurred by the SMYS and its Officers, state and national associations and their Officers, as appropriate, in defending each court action, including but not limited to the following:

a. court costs

b. attorneys fees

c reasonable compensation for time spent by SMYS, MSYSA, and USYSA Officers and employees in responding to and defending against allegations in the action, including responses to discovery and court appearance.

d. travel expenses

e. expenses imposed by the State Association and USYSA.

f. Refer to the current USYSA Official Administrative Rule Book for rules governing the Appeals process and associated cost.