SIASL Rules and Regulations

SIASL RULES AND REGULATIONS

All teams must have a minimum of 15 players.

Each team member must provide the following to the league before they take the field for the first time in a season:
- Paperwork: SIASL and ISSA registration forms including signature
- Copy of drivers license or birth certificate
- Payments: Amount to be determined by the Board each season
- International Clearance Form for non-US citizens and players born abroad incl. US citizens

The SIASL reserves the right to turn down anybody deemed unsuitable to play in this league or trying to enter it under false pretences.

Once a registration form is submitted to the Registrar and teams chosen, a player may only be released from that team upon approval by the SIASL President.

Any player participating in another soccer league of any kind must have permission from the team coach and the League President to play in the SIASL. This permission must be in writing and directed to the SIASL President. In addition, any player under 17 allowed by the Board to play will require the signature of at least one parent on the Waiver Form.

Draft: At the end of each season, all Team Captains must assign a skill level to each player on their team. Teams failing to do so may be barred from the post-season.
The ratings system and draft procedure are covered in detail in the Draft Guidelines.
The Treasurer will ensure the referees are paid before each game.

If Assistant Referees are not utilized by the league for any match, then the game will be officiated using two Referees.

Absolutely no "Guest Players" will be allowed to play. This creates serious liability issues for the league and is unfair to the other teams. Only players "officially registered" with the SIASL will be allowed to play. "Officially registered" means a completed SIASL form, completed and signed ISSA and International Clearance forms, a copy of ID and the registration fee must be in the hands of the Registrar or President BEFORE the start of the game.
If any team believes the opposing team has an unregistered player, they can inform the Referee immediately, at half-time or right after the game. The Referee will discuss this with the team captain and may request an official team roster. If the player is determined to be an unregistered player, the Referee will declare a forfeit immediately and remove the player from the field. They will, however, allow both teams to complete the entire game regardless of when the forfeit is declared.

Game Rules: FIFA rules govern except as noted below:
- The home team will provide the game ball. The game ball shall include a "FIFA Approved", "FIFA Inspected", NCAA or NFHS authentication mark. Failure to do so three or more times in one season will result in a forfeit.
- Both teams will provide a set of corner flags each. Failure to do so three or more times in one season will result in a forfeit.
- Each game will last 35 minutes per half with a 10 minute half-time.
- Each match will be played with 11 players per side with no less than 8. If one team cannot produce 8 players within 5 minutes of the start-time, they will forfeit the game.
- Any player who receives two cautions in one game is disqualified, and must leave the game immediately, but can be replaced.
- Team captains will remind their players to be early to games. Referees will be instructed to start games as close to the scheduled times as possible.
- Upon request, each team will provide the Referee with the approved team roster before the start of the game. If necessary, the Referee will verify that only those players on the team roster participate in the game. If a team plays with an unauthorized player, it will automatically forfeit the match.
- Substitutions shall be unlimited with the consent of the referee at the following times:
  1. Team in possession of the ball at a throw in. The team not in ball possession may substitute if the team in possession does.
  2. Either team at a goal-kick.
  3. Either team after a goal has been scored.
  4. Either team at half time.
  5. For an injured player.
  6. For a player just given a yellow card.
- Provided his or her team is fielding more than eight players, a cautioned player shall leave the field, may be replaced and can re-enter at the next legal substitution opportunity.
- The goalkeeper may be exchanged provided the referee is informed before the change is made and the change is made during a legal substitution opportunity.
- Player Equipment: A proper and indistinguishable team jersey with a number on the back of it shall be required for all players, except the goal keeper. The number shall match the number officially assigned to the player. The only exception allows the team's designated blood jersey to be worn by any player throughout the game. The blood jersey will be an extra jersey provided by the team with no number on it. The referee and the opposition captain(s) shall be informed prior to the game and the change has to be noted on the game card. If any part of this rule is violated the guilty team forfeits the game. If a violation of this rule is immediately noticed and remedied, to the satisfaction of the referee and captains, then no punishment will be handed down.

Each team must designate a team captain on the field. Only team captains are allowed to talk with the referee. Addressing an official on matters of judgment is prohibited.

Scoring and Tie Breakers: 3 points for a win, 1 point for a tie and 0 points for a loss. Forfeits will be ruled as 0 points and 0 goals scored and 2 goals conceded unless the goal differential is greater at the time of forfeit. League standings will be based on the team with the most points. If at least one half of a terminated game has been played in the regular season the score at that point is the final result. If less than one half has been played in the regular season or play-offs the entire game will be replayed. If one half or more of a terminated game has been played in the play-offs only the remainder of the game will be replayed. If the regular season cannot be played in its entirety and teams don't end up with the same number of games league standings will be based on the team with the best points to games ratio. If any of the post-season rounds cannot be played in their entirety the highest seeded teams will advance to the next round.
- Tie Breakers for regular season standings:
- Tie Breakers for all post-season games:
  1. Two 10 minute periods to be played in full.
  2. If still tied, best of five penalty kicks by players on the field at the end of the game.
  3. If still tied, alternate penalty kicks using the remainder of the players on the field until one team misses.
  4. If a quarter-final game is forfeited by both teams the highest seed of the remaining teams will get a bye in the next round and advance to the championship game. Should two quarter-final games be forfeited by both teams the winners of the remaining match-ups will advance to the championship game.
  5. Should the consolation game be tied after normal time it will be decided by a penalty shoot-out. There will be no overtime.

Player Misconduct: A Penalty Point Catalog is employed to penalize players for cautions and ejections according to the severity of the misconduct. The Board reserves the right to adjust the length of suspension, in which case the decision may be appealed by the player.
- Yellows Cards:
- Red Cards:
- A player who collects 4 (8, 12, 16...) penalty points = suspension of 1 game
  If a player reaches the 4 penalty point plateau on the last gameday of the regular season they will be suspended for a game and therefore missing a play-off game. The penalty points will be erased and start anew for the play-offs, but game suspensions due to red cards / penalty points will continue to playoff matches. If a player has 3 penalty points and receives two yellow cards on the last gameday of the regular season they will be suspended for one game, but the 5th penalty point will be erased. Red card suspensions will carry over to the next season.

A slide tackle is considered dangerous play because of its potential to harm players, therefore prohibited and penalized with an indirect free kick. If in the opinion of the referee, a slide tackle in the penalty area prevents a goal scoring opportunity it will result in a direct free kick from the penalty spot.
A slide tackle is defined as a tackle in which a player other than the goalkeeper in his/her own penalty area attempts to disrupt the play or get possession of the ball from an opposing player by deliberately leaving his or her feet and sliding along the ground with one leg extended and the opposing player in playing distance. Players may slide to reach the ball in play, as long as this action does not endanger another player (as described above).

Every team is responsible for the conduct of its players, officials, and known followers and must take necessary precautions to prevent their players and spectators from battering and assaulting game officials, spectators or the other team players prior, during and after the game.

All instances of alleged, serious misconduct will be taken up by the Trial Board upon the submission of a written complaint (see paragraph XXIII). This Board shall consist of a Captain from each team or his/her designated representative, and one member from the SIASL Board chosen by the President. None of the team representatives or the SIASL Board member can participate on the Trial Board if they will be testifying before the Trial Board or submitting statements to the Trial Board. The SIASL Board representative shall organize the date, time and location for the Trial Board and coordinate with each team to understand who will represent them. He or she shall also coordinate the collection of statements to be reviewed by the Trial Board. The SIASL Board representative will be an active participant on the Trial Board during all discussions, but will not vote except to break a tie. The Trial Board will attempt to meet within 1 week of the alleged serious misconduct, review the information gathered, determine whether or not any action is warranted, and recommend any punishment, if appropriate. Recommendations must pass by a majority vote of the Trial Board and all results and recommendations will be forwarded to the SIASL President. The President will notify the player(s) of the outcome from the Trial Board and their right to appeal any punishment to the full SIASL Board.

Any player, official, team member or known team follower who physically attacks a referee (battery) at any game played shall be suspended for a minimum of one year. Verbal attacks on referees (assault) will also warrant suspensions to be determined by the Trial Board.

Inclement Weather Policy: If poor weather prohibits playing a match, the SIASL President or Vice President will notify each team captain as soon as the decision is made. Each team captain is responsible for notifying his/her team by whatever means they see fit.
Rescheduling of Games:
- Once the game schedule for the season is published, it cannot be changed except by the Board President. Any changes due to weather or unforeseen problems will be corrected by the President.
- If at any point during the regular season or post-season there are no make-up dates available the SIASL President shall have the power to shorten the season.

Both teams are responsible for cleaning up any trash on their side of the field prior to departing.

To be eligible for any All-Star team or Traveling team, each player must have played in at least half the games up to that point.

Absentee Players: Any player absent for 4 of the first 5 games may be declared an Absentee Player by the team captain after the 5th game. This rule does not apply to players with an injury. Upon notification by the team captain of this Absentee Player, the next suitable player on the waiting list will be assigned to this team by the SIASL Registrar.
Any player absent for 50% or more of the games in any season may be considered and declared an Absentee Player by the team captain. Team captains will submit the names of all Absentee Players at the end of each season and if these players register again the following season they will be taken off their previous team and placed in the players pool. They will then be reassigned to another team with all the new players after registration is complete.

Complaint Procedure: Any time a player feels another player is behaving in an unsportsmanlike manner and wishes to pursue a complaint against this player, they should follow the following process:
1. Notify your Team Captain so he/she can discuss this unsportsmanlike conduct with the Referee and request the Referee observe the player in question for the remainder of the game. Also, politely explain the issue with the opposing Team Captain and request he/she help to resolve the problem.
2. After the game is over, if a player still wishes to pursue the matter, both Team Captains and the players in question should immediately meet to discuss the issue while everyone's memories are still fresh. If there are witnesses to the alleged incident, they should also be brought into the discussion.
3. If the player making the complaint is not satisfied with the results of this discussion, the player and his/her Team Captain may file an official, written complaint with the SIASL President within 48 hours of the alleged, serious misconduct. The complaint must include:
  - who is filing the complaint
  - the exact details of the complaint
  - any witnesses to the incident-what action is requested
  - what actions have already taken place to resolve the complaint
4. Upon receipt of the complaint, the Board President (after consultation with the entire Board) will determine if the complaint should go before the Trial Board or can be handled by the SIASL Board. If the SIASL Board feels the complaint should go before the Trial Board, the Board President will follow the procedures per paragraph XVI. Otherwise the President shall try to resolve the issue or bring it before the entire SIASL Board.
5. All complaints should follow the procedure above or they will be returned to the team for further discussion.