Discipline Guidelines and Procedures
Yellow Cards – accumulative in separate multiple matches
These are automatic and the player and team convenors will be notified by the Discipline Chair and there is no appeal process.
| Description of Misconduct | First Playing Season Offence | Second Playing Season Offence |
Discipline By Review (DBR) |
Discipline by Hearing (DBH) |
| 1st Caution | No Action | Na | ||
| 2nd Caution | No Action | Na | ||
| 3rd Caution | 1 Game Suspension | Na | Yes | |
| 4th Caution | No Action | Na | ||
| 5th Caution | 2 Game Suspension | Na | Yes | |
| 6th Caution | No Action | Na | ||
| 7th Caution | 3 Game Suspension | Na | Yes | |
| 8th Caution | No action | Na | ||
| 9th Caution | 4 Game Suspension | Na | Yes | |
| 10th Caution | Suspended for Remainder of the Season | Na |
Note: Receiving two yellow cards in one match will not count toward the accumulative cards listed above.
Red Cards| Description of Misconduct | First Playing Season Offence | Second Playing Season Offence | Discipline By Review (DBR) | Discipline by Hearing (DBH) |
|
| 1. | Receiving a second caution in the same match for which neither was directed toward at the Match Official(s). | 1 Game Suspension |
2 Game Suspension |
Yes | |
| 2. | Receiving a second caution in the same match for which at least one of the cautions was directed toward at the Match Official(s). | 2 Game Suspension |
4 Game Suspension |
Yes | |
| 3. | Using offensive, insulting or abusive language and/or gestures directed toward anyone other than a match official(s). | 1 Game Suspension |
2 Game Suspension |
Yes | Third offence would result in a hearing to determine level of punishment. |
| 4. | Using offensive, insulting or abusive language and/or gestures directed toward the match official(s). | 2 Game Suspension |
4 Game Suspension |
Yes | Third offence would result in a hearing to determine level of punishment. |
| 5. | Dismissed for denying an opponent a goal or an obvious goal scoring opportunity by deliberately handing the ball. | 1 Game Suspension |
2 Game Suspension |
Yes | |
| 6. | Serious Foul Play | 2 Game Suspension (DBR) |
2-4 Game Suspension (DBH) |
DBR First Offence |
DBH Second Offence |
| 7. | Serious Foul Play where in the opinion of the Discipline Committee there was an obvious attempt to injure or a complete disregard for the safety of the opponent. | 4-8 Game Suspension |
Membership Revoked |
Yes | |
| 8. | Violent Conduct | 3-6 Game Suspension (May include membership being revoked) |
7-12 Game Suspension (May include membership being revoked) |
Yes | |
| 9. | Violent Conduct where in the opinion of the Discipline Committee there was an obvious attempt to seriously injure a player. | 3-11 Game Suspension (May include membership being revoked) |
Membership Revoked |
First and Second Offence to be handled by DBH. | |
| 10. | Received and found guilty of a third dismissal in a playing season. | 1-11 Month Suspension |
Membership Revoked |
First and Second Offence to be handled by DBH. | |
| 11. | Re-enters the field of play or player bench area after being dismissed from the game by the Match Official. | 2 Game Suspension |
3-5 Game Suspension |
Yes | Yes |
| 12. | Match Official Assault for striking, spitting, kicking, pushing or any form of violence or threat directed at the Match Official(s). This includes threats of assault or bodily harm. | 6-12 Month Suspension (May include membership being revoked) |
Membership Revoked |
First and Second Offence to be handled by DBH. | |
| 12. | Player who participates in any Club sanctioned match, tournaments and exhibition games while under Suspension. |
Up to 5 Game Suspension |
Yes | ||
Notes:
- Where a specific suspension is quoted, the set suspension is mandatory and can be administered by DBR. Where the suspensions are quoted as a range, application of a suspension within the range is required and the misconduct must be dealt with by DBH.
- Any player ejected from any Club sanctioned game for receiving a red card or two yellow cards (in the same game) shall be referred to the Discipline Committee Chair by the match referee by way of email or other report. All cards must be reported to the Discipline Committee Chair within 48 hours of the offence.
- Upon receipt of the Referee report, the Discipline Committee Chair will review the report. On misconduct being proved to the Chair’s satisfaction and the misconduct being subject to DBR, the Chair will advise the player, all the Convenors for the division in which the player is registered to play in and the Referee Coordinator in writing of the length of the automatic suspension. This will occur within 24 hours of the Chair receiving the referee’s report. These suspensions will be in effect immediately after the notification is made. The Chair will share the referee’s report with the members of the Discipline Committee for review and feedback.
- Additional suspensions may be assessed after the Discipline Committee has reviewed the referee’s report. Should a claim of mistaken identity be made by the Team Convenor, then the Convenor must provide the identity of the correct individual, who shall then become the person accused.
- Should the Discipline Committee consider that additional sanction is warranted or should it be considered, the Discipline Committee shall use the DBR/DBH system. Upon written notification by the Discipline Committee that the referee’s report has been received, and that additional sanction is being considered, the accused will have three days (72 hours) to request a hearing in writing to the Discipline Committee Chair under the DBH system.
- Should a player forego a DBH system hearing, the Discipline Committee will hold a DBR meeting at the earliest opportunity. This meeting can be in person or held virtually. The Discipline Committee will assess any discipline based upon the DBR system, considering the content of the referee’s report, the Club’s Disciplinary Guidelines, and any additional information provided or requested by the Committee. All decisions made under the DBR system cannot be appealed.
- Any member of the Club (BOTSC) may submit a written complaint reporting misconduct by another member. The written complaint should be detailed and identify all potential witnesses if any. The Chair of the Discipline Committee shall fully investigate the complaint. If the investigation determines that the offender has committed misconduct under the Discipline Guidelines, the complaint will be reviewed by the members of the Discipline Committee and any sanctions that are applied to the offending member will be dealt with by the DBR/DBH system. Action will only be taken if the complainant is willing to act as a witness at any subsequent hearing. If the investigation determines that the offender breached any part of the Code of Conduct, which is not covered by the Discipline Guidelines, then the Discipline Chair will refer the matter to the Executive Committee for review and action.
- Any player who willfully plays, or any Team representative who allows a player to play in any Club sanctioned match, tournaments, or exhibition games, who is found to be ineligible, shall be subject to disciplinary action.
- Any player who participates in any club match, tournament, or exhibition game while under suspension shall be subject to further disciplinary action.