Northwest CO-ED Soccer League

RULES OF THE GAME

The purpose of the Northwest Co-Ed Soccer League (NWCSL) is to provide women and men, ranging in skill levels from beginning to advanced, with an opportunity to play competitive soccer in a safe, friendly environment. All participating teams and players are expected to emphasize good sportsmanship, teamwork and soccer skills. The essence being in the spirit of the game. Unsportsmanlike conduct, verbal or physical assault, rough or dangerous play will not be tolerated and should be reported immediately in writing to NWCSL.

The NWCSL will observe FIFA rules (see last page) with the following exceptions:

NO SLIDE TACKLES will be allowed, even if contact is made only with the ball, players must remain on their feet.

Each team may have up to five (5) women and up to five (5) men on the field, but no more than five (5) of each. The goalie may be of either gender.

Unlimited substitutions are allowed and players may re-enter the game at any stoppage of play.

All players must have a current WSSA player identification card and be prepared to show it to the referee in order to play. The only exception being a Temporary Player Pass signed by an officer of Northwest Co-Ed Soccer League or a WSSA Commissioner.

RED CARD POLICY
Any player receiving a red card will be suspended and required to sit out the next scheduled game. The referee shall confiscate the player’s card and immediately send it to the NWCSL office with a full Misconduct Report. The player card will be returned to the team manager once the suspension has been served and the fine paid. The period of suspension will carry over to any other teams in NWCSL or any other WSSA affiliated leagues.

If it is determined that the severity of the infraction warrants, the suspension period may be extended.

Two (2) or more red cards during any given season might result in a judicial hearing.

Any red carded player who does not sit out the one week of play will receive a second red card and the player’s team will automatically forfeit the game.

A red card mandates that the team must play short a player of the same gender as the carded player for field players and the goalie.

Players receiving a red card shall be levied a minimum $25.00 fine and their player card will not be returned until such fine is received by NWCSL. Fines and suspensions may be increased depending on the severity of the offense e.g. violent conduct. Names of players receiving red cards will be sent to the WSSA office and put on a HOLD list until notification of payment of all fines. If a player’s name is on the HOLD list they will not be able to obtain a replacement or renewal card until their name is removed.

ALL FINES SHOULD BE SENT TO:

NWCSL

P.O. BOX 14712

MILL CREEK, WA 98082-2712

Any player who accumulates four (4) or more yellow cards within one season shall automatically receive a one (1) game suspension.

A minimum of seven (7) players are required for a team to start a game. The referee shall give either team a fifteen (15) minute grace period for late arriving players.

NWCSL has the right to review and evaluate a player’s actions, both physical and verbal, to assess suspensions and/or penalties to ensure the safety and fair play for all NWCSL sanctioned games.

FORFEITURES/RESCHEDULES

Notice of a team’s forfeiture must be sent to nwcsl4you@yahoo.com within forty eight (48) hours.

Any team failing to appear for a scheduled match without giving a minimum of forty eight (48) hours advance notice will be assessed a $75.00 fine. Said fine must be paid to NWCSL within seven (7) days of original game date. All scheduled games will be forfeited until the fine is received by NWCSL.

Forfeited games will not be rescheduled. The team being forfeited against will receive a 1 – 0 win.

Any games played before the fine is paid shall result in the opponent being given a 1-0 win.

Any team owing a forfeiture fine will be not be scheduled for the following season.

A game will be declared a forfeit if a team does not have seven (7) players within fifteen (15) minutes of the scheduled start time. Only the referee can declare the game a forfeit.

If the scheduled game does not start on time due to the preceding game running over time or the fifteen (15) minute grace period being awarded to either team, the referee will announce that there will be equal shortened halves. There is a need to stay within the allotted playing time as dictated by the scheduling and light timers.

If the scheduled referee does not appear for the game within fifteen (15) minutes of the scheduled start time the teams are asked to find an agreeable substitute or play the game without a referee. These games will not be rescheduled, but each team will receive a credit towards the next season. Managers are asked to notify NWCSL immediately at nwcsl4you@yahoo.com.

The referee assignor will be notified and the assigned referee will not be paid for the game.

Games cancelled by the field agencies will be rescheduled at the end of the season. If unable to be played a credit will be given to both teams for the next season.

If a referee declares a field to be unplayable due to field conditions the game will be rescheduled, if possible. NWCSL will make every effort to reschedule these games.

If a referee abandons the game, it will not be rescheduled.

FIFA RULES

Shin guards are mandatory and socks must be pulled up to cover the shin guards.

Goal kicks may be taken from either side of the box.

The goalie cannot pick up or touch any ball with their hands that was intentionally kicked or thrown to them by a teammate. If the teammate intentionally plays the ball to the goalie with any other part of the body (e.g. headers) then the goalie is allowed to pick up the ball.

The Powers and Duties of the Referee are listed below.

The decisions of the referee regarding facts connected with play are final.

POWERS & DUTIES OF THE REFEREE

Enforce the Laws of the Game
Ensure that players’ equipment meets the requirements of the Laws
Act as a timekeeper & keep a record of the match
Stop, suspend or terminate the game, at his/her discretion, for any infringements of the Laws
Stop, suspend or terminate the match because of outside interference of any kind
Stop match if, in his/her opinion, a player is seriously injured and ensure that the player is removed from the field of play.
Allow play to continue until the ball is out of play if a player is, in his/her opinion only slightly injured
Allow play to continue when the team against which an offense has been committed will benefit from such an advantage and penalize the original offense if the anticipated advantage does not ensue at that time
Punish the more serious offense when a player commits more than one offense at the same time
Punish the more serious offense when a player commits more than one offense at the same time
Take disciplinary action against players guilty of cautionable and sending-off offenses
Restart the match after it has been stopped
Provides the League with a match report which includes information on any disciplinary action taken against players, and any other incidents which occurred before, during or after the match