The following
rules and regulations, as approved by the Board of Directors, will govern the
Gainesville Recreational Soccer League, Inc. (GRSL) effective September 2009.
These rules and policies are in effect for all soccer conferences of the GRSL
unless otherwise stated or clarified.
0101. A team's standing in the league regular
season and in the season-end tournament will be determined by the FIFA point
system, with three points for a win, one point for a draw and no points for a
defeat.
0102. Qualification in each conference or
group shall be determined as follows:
0103. Each conference will be divided into
divisions even in number of teams, consisting of not more than 8 teams per
division. At the end of regular season play, the bottom 2 teams in each
division will be relegated to the next lower division, and the top 2 teams of
each division will be promoted to the next higher division based on their final
regular season standings in their respective tables. Movement for Fall Season
shall be established at the conclusion of Spring Season – Summer Season shall
have no bearing on team movement. The top team in each division at the end of
the regular season will be declared the Regular Season Champion.
Newly formed
teams shall begin in the lowest division.
0107. A Co-Recreational team may not have more than 8 male
players on the field at any one time. The maximum allowable male players
on the field for a team shall be reduced by the number of red cards issued to
the male players of that team.
For example, if a co-ed team is playing with 8 men on the field,
and one is shown a red card and sent off, that team shall play with 7 men
on the field.
0108. A Co-Recreational team may not have more than 8 female players on
the field at any one time. The maximum allowable female players on the
field for a team shall be reduced by the number of red cards issued to the
female players of that team.
For example, if a co-ed team is playing with 8 women on the field,
and one is shown a red card and sent off, that team shall play with 7
women on the field.
0109. If, due to
injury or penalty, a team is unable to field a minimum number of 7 players, the
team will forfeit the match.
0110. Failure to present a
0111. For a player to participate in a game
the photo on the
0201. The GRSL will operate two full seasons and one
short season per seasonal year. The
Fall and Spring season shall be full seasons and Summer season shall be a short
season. Promotion and relegation as
outlined in the Rules of Play will take place during the Fall and Spring
seasons, with the promotion and relegation of the Spring Season standing
through the subsequent Summer and Fall seasons.
0202. There are three distinct phases of
competition in a GRSL season: Regular Season, Tournament, and Finals. The
Finals phase can includes Quarterfinals, Semi-finals, and Final Match.
0301. Team officials are responsible for
filling out and filing Player Passes with the League.
0302. The league officials are responsible
for regular season registration of GRSL teams with the FSSA.
0303. Team organizers and officials are
responsible for State Cup registration, with league assistance as needed.
0401. All team applications and registration
must be approved and certified by the respective conference Vice President.
0402. If a team is found to have improperly
registered players, then the team will forfeit all games in which the
improperly registered player participated, and the improperly registered player
will have his/her case reviewed by their respective league vice-president. The
league vice-president can bar the player from further participation in the
GRSL. Any suspension/expulsion can be appealed to the Appeals Committee. If the
team organizer was found to have knowingly registered a player improperly, then
he/she will be dismissed from the Board of Directors and from a leadership
position on the offending team, and barred from organizing for a calendar year.
0403. Non-player members of a team can only
be registered as a Coach, Assistant Coach or Team Manager. Only three such individuals are permitted
per team.
0404. All players shall be registered on a USSF
form supplied by this league to all affiliated teams.
0405. All Coaches, Assistant Coaches and Team
Managers shall be registered on a USSF form supplied by this league to all
affiliated teams.
0406. Control of registration will be through
team rosters and Player Passes.
0407. A player can only register for one team
within the GRSL. Dual registration within the conferences of the GRSL is strictly
prohibited.
0408. Registration Procedures, Recreational
Teams:
Each team
official shall compile and submit a team roster using the current format
provided by the league. All information
must be complete and accurate. Team
officials are responsible for payment of team dues. The amount of dues for each team and the schedule for payment of
these dues shall be announced at the first preseason meeting. Team officials shall be responsible for
completing player registration forms and player passes.
0409. Early Commitment:
Each team shall
be required to make early commitment to each season of play. The team must state that it intends to play
in the upcoming season and make a non-refundable deposit of $300 to the league. This deposit will be deducted from the team
fees for the season. The deadline for
early commitment is approximately four weeks prior to the upcoming season's
first preseason meeting. Returning
teams MUST make the commitment to be guaranteed a position for the upcoming
season.
0410. USSF
Player and
Players, Coaches
and Team Official passes are now a requirement in all FSSA and USSF affiliated
leagues in the State of
0501. The maximum number of players on a team
roster is 22.
0503. All youth players must be granted
written permission by their parent(s) or guardian(s) on the designated release
form and properly cleared through their respective youth leagues and the Florida
Youth Soccer Association (FYSA), if they participate in a youth league.
0504. Over-40 age group men's teams may have
the maximum of five (5) 35 to 39 year old players on their roster.
0505. Over-40 age group men’s teams may, but are not required to,
have adult female players (18 years and older) on their roster.
0601. All player releases and transfers must
go through and be approved and certified by the respective conference Vice
President.
0603. The deadline for player transfer
between teams or addition of players after initial team registration is 10:00
PM each Wednesday before the third official game of the season. The appropriate
dates shall be announced at the preseason meetings.
A team may
replace a player lost to a season ending injury, provided the following
criteria are met:
A team may
replace one player after the add/drop deadline, provided the following criteria
are met:
0604. If a team disbands after 10:00 PM the
Wednesday before the third official game of the season, then its players will
be permitted to transfer to active teams until 10:00 PM the Wednesday before
the fourth official game of the season.
0605. Incomplete information of players on
the roster will result in omitting them from the game report and hence
ineligible for play on that game day. Hand written changes or additions will no
be accepted on game day at field side.
0701. A game is considered complete at the
end of the first half, or a total of 45 minutes have been played. If a game is
terminated in the second half and before the end of regulation play, the score
will be counted at the point the game is called. Games that are terminated
early due to lack of sufficient players shall be considered a forfeit by the
team without adequate players.
0703. Games in the Finals phase of
competition that end in a tie after regulation play will be extended to two, 15
minute overtime periods. If the game remains tied at the end of the two
overtime periods, then the game shall be decided by penalty kicks.
0704. Otherwise, Law VII, Duration of the
Game, of the FIFA Laws of the Game will apply.
0801. Substitutions are allowed on own corner
kick, own throw in, either goal kick, after a goal is scored by either team, or
to substitute an injured player.
Injury
substitutions shall be only for the injured player(s).
If the team with
possession is making a substitution on a throw in, the other team may make a
substitution as well.
0802. Players shall wait for substitutions at
the midfield line.
0803. Substitution procedures:
Substitutes will
wait at the midfield line. The referee
shall be informed of the proposed substitution, before it is made, by holding
up the substitute's signal board;
0901. Bench players shall be restricted to
the bench area on the appropriate side of the field during their game. Players
and coaches will not be allowed to roam up and down the sidelines. Players and
team officials must remain at least three feet off the sidelines.
0902. Team officials are responsible for the
good order and conduct of all players and support personnel in the bench area.
1001. Forfeits will be punished as follows:
Fees shall be
paid prior to the next league game or that game will be forfeited.
1002. A forfeited game will be tallied as a 0
goals to 3 loss for the forfeiting team, and a 3 goals to 0 win for the team to
whom the game was forfeited.
1003. A team that forfeits a game during the
Tournament phase of competition will be dropped from further official
competition, and the games they have played removed from scoring consideration
and computation.
1004. Game time listed in the schedule is
forfeit time. The latest that an official game will start is 10 minutes after
scheduled start time, and only for the most extenuating circumstances not
involving dereliction or tardiness on the part of either team. Any game that
kicks off later than 10 minutes after the scheduled start time of that game
will not count as an official game, and at least one of the participating teams
will have a forfeit counted against them, or the match must be rescheduled.
1101. A game may be played under protest for
any of the following reasons:
1102. The protest must be made to the center
referee prior to the start of the game or as soon as the captain of the team
wanting to protest becomes aware of the situation warranting a protest, in the
presence of the opposing captain and the assigned assistant referees.
1103. The protest will then be reviewed by
the appropriate conference VP, or the President in the event of a conflict of
interest with the VP, and a judgment passed. If the judgment is unacceptable to
the protesting team, then that team must initiate the necessary protest appeal
process to the Appeals and Discipline Committee.
1201. The uniform requirement is full
uniforms comprised of jerseys, shorts and socks matching in color and design.
Players not in conformance with their team's uniform standards (including
socks), in the opinion of the referee, will be prevented from playing until the
uniform is corrected.
1202.
1203. Each team will submit their team colors
with their roster. Listed will be the color for their primary and optional
alternate jerseys, their shorts and socks, as well as a description of any
unique designs on each item of the uniform.
1204. In the case of a jersey color conflict,
the visiting team (the team listed second in the schedule) is required to
change color.
1205. Penneys will not be allowed to be worn as the
alternate jersey
1206. A player may remove their jersey on the sideline,
once they have made a substitution. Any
player that changes jersey numbers without the consent of the referee, or to
avoid a second caution will be suspended a minimum of one (1) game. That suspension shall be served during the
next scheduled game. The respective
Vice President will determine the maximum suspension.
1301. The teams scheduled for the first game
of the day are to install the nets and flags. The installation is to be
completed to the satisfaction of the referee. The teams scheduled for the last
game of the day are expected to take down the nets and flags and place the
equipment in a location convenient to the person responsible for the equipment.
1302. The Field Procurement, Maintenance and
Equipment Committee will be responsible for the following:
1303. The Field Procurement, Maintenance and
Equipment Committee using whatever policies it sees fit to create, contingent
on the approval of the Executive Committee may implement these duties.
1304. The respective ‘home’ team is always responsible
for the field equipment. An equipment
sign-out/in sheet will be provided to facilitate these duties, and issue
responsibilities to each home team. All
equipment must be checked out and in with a GRSL Equipment Manager (Any
Executive Board of Directors member).
Teams responsible for
checking out, and returning field equipment will lose one (1) point from the
league standings if they fail to complete their equipment responsibilities.
1305. Game balls will no longer be provided
by the league but by the home team. Failure to provide an adequate game ball
can lead for forfeit. Game balls shall be FIFA approved or inspected or
considered adequate for play by the center referee.
1401. The game report will be placed at the
field by a league representative.
1402. There will be game-specific reports
that will list the teams playing on a single page, with the reverse side lined
and diagramed to provide the center referee the space necessary for any
additional comments by either the referees.
1403. The game center referee is responsible
for submitting official game report. The team captains and the center referee
shall confer after the end of the game to verify the game results and statistics
recorded on the game reports, and sign them. A signature of the team official
on the roster means acceptance of the referee’s report on goal scorers and
misconduct. Once the report is accepted, then it will be binding. It is the
duty of the team official/captain to ensure that the referees fill in the goal
scorers and misconduct to the right players. It is also the duty of the team
official/captain to approach the referee or a representative to sign the
report. The referee will wait at least 10 minutes after game time to
accommodate the team official/captain.
1404. All incidents relating to a game that
occur before, during, and after the game will be reported by the game referees,
in writing, on the game report for as long as the referees remain at the venue.
Their authority shall extend from, and comply with, Law V, the Referees, of the
FIFA Laws Of The Game.
1500. A player or team demonstrating behavior
unbecoming to the GRSL such as, but not limited to, fighting, threats to other
players or referees, violent conduct, vulgar or obscene language may result in
suspension or expulsion from the league.
1501. Cautions (Yellow Cards):
Any player, upon
receiving two cautions in back-to-back games, shall be suspended from the next
scheduled game.
Any player who
receives five (5) or more cautions for the whole season regardless of the phase
of competition, can be suspended for up to five (5) consecutive games and
his/her case reviewed by their respective VP and the Referee Liaison, and if
necessary the Rules, Regulations and Discipline Committee.
Any player who
receives 12 or more cautions (or an equivalent thereof, with a red card
equaling two (2) cautions over the course of a calendar year shall be suspended
for at least four (4) games.
1502. Sendings-Off (Red Cards):
Players
receiving a red card for:
Denying an
opponent a goal or an obvious goal-scoring opportunity by deliberately handling
the ball
Having received
a second caution in the same match
Shall be
suspended for one (1) game as determined by the respective conference VP.
Players
receiving a red card for:
Denying an
obvious goal-scoring opportunity to an opponent moving towards the player’s
goal by an offense punishable by a free kick or a penalty kick
Using offensive,
insulting or abusive language
Shall be
suspended for at least one (1) scheduled games as determined by the respective
conference VP.
Players
receiving a red card for:
Serious foul
play which arises when a player commits one of the offenses punishable by a
direct free kick or a penalty kick and uses disproportionate and unnecessary
strength in a manner likely to injure an opponent. It is also serious foul play
when a player infringes the Laws of the Game and uses intentional violence when
challenging for the ball against an opponent.
Spitting at an
opponent or any other person
Shall be
suspended for at least two (2) scheduled games as determined by the respective
conference VP.
Players
receiving a red card for:
Violent conduct
which is the aggression of a player towards an opponent who clearly has no
intention of playing or fighting for the ball. The ball can be in or out of
play. Moreover, when a player attacks a teammate, the referee, an assistant, a
spectator, etc.; this shall also be considered violent conduct.
Shall be
suspended for at least three (3) scheduled games to life expulsion from the
GRSL, as determined by the respective conference VP. If the conference VP is of
the opinion that the player should be suspended for more than five (5) then
there shall be a hearing to determine the proper punishment. If, after such
hearing, a player is to be suspended for a season or longer, then the case
shall be reported to the FSSA acknowledging the incident and the GRSL decision.
Any player who
is ejected from a game shall be suspended from the next scheduled game.
In a single season, a player
who is issued two (2) cautions in a game and then two (2) cautions in a
subsequent game shall be suspended one (1) game in addition to the suspensions
for each offense.
In a single
season, a player who is issued two (2) cautions in a game and then a strait red
card in a subsequent game (or vice versa) shall be suspended two (2) games in
addition to the suspensions for each offense.
In a single
season, a player who is issued a strait red card in a game and then a strait
red card in a subsequent game shall be suspended three (3) games in addition to
the suspensions for each offense.
Any player who
receives a third red card for the season will be suspended for five (5)
consecutive games in addition to the suspensions outlined above and his/her
case reviewed by their respective VP and the Referee Liaison, and if necessary
the Rules, Regulations and Discipline Committee.
Referee abuse is
a verbal statement or physical set which implies or threatens physical harm to
a referee (or an assistant referee, 4th official, any non-licensed,
non-registered person serving in an emergency capacity as a referee or any club
line) or to his/her property or equipment. Abuse includes, but is not limited
to the following acts committed upon the referee: using offensive, insulting or
abusive language toward a referee, spewing any beverage on referee’s personal property
or verbally threatening a referee. Verbal threats are remarks that carry the
implied or direct threat of physical harm. Such remarks as "I’ll get you
after the game" or "You won’t get out of here in one piece",
shall be deemed referee abuse. Referee abuse is punishable by a mandatory
suspension of at least three (3) games, as determined by the respective
conference VP. If the referee is verbally threatened, then the suspension will
be at least four (4) games.
Referee assault
is an intentional act of physical violence upon a referee. Assault includes,
but is not limited to the following acts committed upon a referee (or an
assistant referee, 4th official, any non-licensed, non-registered person
serving in an emergency capacity as a referee or any club line): hitting,
kicking, punching, choking, spitting at, or on, grabbing or bodily running into
a referee; the act of kicking or throwing any object at a referee that could
inflict injury, damaging the referee’s uniform or personal property, i.e., car,
equipment, etc. The player, coach, manager or official from the GRSL committing
the referee assault is automatically suspended for at least one (1) year from
the time of the assault, unless serious injuries are inflicted, then the
minimum suspension period will be at least five (5) years.
If these
circumstances happen on or near the final game of the season, the suspension
will carry over to the first official game(s) of the next season in which the
player participates.
As suspension is
defined as the disallowance of a GRSL member to participate in games of the
GRSL for a time not to exceed two seasons. For a suspension to be served, the
member must be listed as a player on the roster of a GRSL registered team.
An expulsion is
defined as the disallowance of a GRSL member to participate in games of the
GRSL for a time greater than three consecutive seasons. An expulsion may be
served without the member being listed on any roster of a GRSL registered team.
1503. A team that averages three (3) cautions
per game, where an ejection equals two (2) cautions, during the regular season
or tournament phases of competition will not be allow to advance to the next
phase of competition, and will be considered for further disciplinary action.
Any multi-game suspension will equal three (3) cautions in calculating team
discipline points.
1504. Non-monetary Fine Schedule:
A team that
fails to send a representative to attend a properly called, mandatory meeting
will be penalized one-point in the team standings regular season or season-end
tournament standings.
A team that
fails to pay the entire portion of their team fees by the given date set by the
GRSL Executive Board will be penalized one-point in the team standings each week
that games are played until the fee is paid off.
A Team that
receives two red cards at a game event for any reason will be penalized
one-point in the team standings in the computed regular season or season-end
tournament standings.
The first offense for a team
that leaves trash (plastic bottles, plastic cups, tape, etc.) on the sideline
will be a verbal warning. The second
offense for a team that leaves trash on the sideline will be penalized one-point in the team standings. Captains need to alert a GRSL Executive
Board Member of the problem so it is verified.
A team that that
receives more than three (3) yellow cards during a game is expected to pay the
league $10.00 for each card over three (3).
A team that that receives more than two (2) red cards during a game is
expected to pay the league $25.00 for each card over two (2). If a team fails to pay these fines prior to
the next game, they will forfeit that game and any game following until the
fine is paid.
Each player is entitled to
purchase cards received during play.
Each player is limited to two (2) buybacks per season. Cards may not be bought back during the game
in which they were received.
A card buy back
does not relieve the player of Rule 1502 – if a player buys back a card, the
card stays on record for the purpose of personal and team accrual, and will be
highlighted in green.
Payment is due
the Wednesday before the next game.
Failure to make payment to the league at this time, the card will remain
as listed. The only exception as to
when the payment is due is for games that had to be made up during the week.
Yellow card $15.00
(co-ed), $10.00 (6v6)
Red card $30.00*
(co-ed), $15.00 (6v6)
*Red card fines
that are NOT subject to buyback are as follows: VC, SFP, S, and any
altercation directed toward a referee that results in a warning or ejection.
If a team fails to show up
to its lining duties, they will be penalized
one-point in the team standings for every time that particular team does
not show up for its field-lining duties.
The team will also forfeit their field lining fee, which will be given
to the other team that was scheduled to line the field, assuming they showed
for their lining duty. Assuming neither
team shows for their lining duty, the lining fees from both teams will go to
the league VP that was present to assist in the field lining.
1601. The GRSL will not, as a matter of
policy, sponsor or schedule games with teams not affiliated with the FSSA or
USSF.
1602. GRSL teams that play unaffiliated teams
will do so without the authorization of the GRSL, and will not be covered by
the FSSA insurance policy.
1701. The respective conference Vice
President, or the President in case of a conflict of interest, will review the
situation of the appeal of a player's suspension by their team captain, and
render a summary judgment on the validity of the appeal based on the
Constitution, Bylaws and Rules and Regulations of the GRSL and the FIFA Laws Of
The Game. Further appeal may be made to the Appeals and Discipline Committee,
which will be constituted as provided in the Constitution and Bylaws of this
League.
1702. The appealing captain must cite
supporting specific rules and regulations, and/or FIFA Laws of the Game in
their written narrative of appeal.
1703. The GRSL only has the power to act on
the length of suspensions. The NCFSOA retains the power to vacate cautions
(yellow cards) and sending-off (red cards). The length of minimum suspensions
cannot be appealed.
1704. Appeals Meeting Procedure:
Members present:
the convening Vice President and four (6) at-large members, said members coming
from membership of the Board of Directors.
Quorum: four
members
Once quorum has
been established, the convening Vice President will bring the meeting to order
with a very brief, impartial summary of the appeal.
The plaintiff
then has five minutes to present their side of the situation via an opening
statement. No discussion will be allowed during this time. The opposing side
then has five minutes to do the same, with the same limitations.
The plaintiff
then has three minutes for rebuttal, again with no debate allowed. The opposing
side then has three minutes to do the same, with the same limitations.
If anybody other
than the plaintiff and opposition has relevant information to present (such as
personal accounts, rule/bylaw review, witnesses, etc.) they will be brought
forward after the uncontested rebuttals.
There will then
be 10 minutes of open discussion, moderated by the convening Vice President.
This will be kept to a clean discussion. Shouting or other non-constructive
behavior will be grounds for dismissal from the remainder of the proceedings.
Both sides will
then have one minute for final statements.
The voting
members of the committee will then decide, by secret ballot, whether to uphold
or reject the appeal of the plaintiff. The decision of the committee is final
and no further appeals to the GRSL may be made.
These
proceedings will be conducted according to Robert’s Rules of Parliamentary
Procedure as well as the presiding officer is able. Failure by the presiding
officer to strictly follow procedures is not grounds for debate or challenge to
the results of the committee.
1901. All players, team organizers/officials and
spectators are responsible for knowing and complying with the City of
1902. All members of the Board of Directors
of the GRSL are responsible for enforcing the rules and regulations of the
corporation. Failure to do so may constitute grounds for removal from the Board
of Directors.
2101. All teams participating in State Cup,
National Cup, or Sanctioned USSF tournaments must submit their schedules for
said competitions to the GRSL within 72 hours of receipt. This will enable the
GRSL to make the necessary schedule changes to accommodate the participation of
GRSL teams in these competitions.
2102. Teams participating in these competitions
will have their conflicting league matches rescheduled in accordance with FSSA
guidelines.
2201. USSF certified referees, as stipulated
by contract with the GRSL, will referee all GRSL sponsored soccer games.
2401. FSSA and USSF rules supersede GRSL
rules in higher competition sponsored by said organizations.
Subject to the
limitations of the Constitution and the Bylaws, the Rules and Regulations of
this corporation may be amended, repealed, or added to, or new Rules and
Regulations may be adopted, by resolution of the Board of Directors at any
General membership meeting. All changes must pass with a simple majority of the
affirmative vote with a quorum present. The changes of the Rules and
Regulations will be effective as determined by the Board of Directors. Rules
must change to reflect changes made by FIFA, the USSF and the FSSA.