Fair Play for the Sunshine Coast Adult Soccer Leagues (SCASL)

Introduction

Representatives of the SCASL agree that there is a need to bring respect and safety back into the recreational adult league. To that end we have developed a Fair Play Policy. These guidelines are designed to put the responsibility for behaviors of players and spectators on the player, manager/coach and team. Consequences for failure to comply with the principles and guidelines are set out in this document. Controversial decisions, which will be needed to be made from time to time, should be made in the spirit of safety and respect for all and with consideration that soccer is our recreation, we play for fun. Good communications between players, coaches, fans and officials is critical to making this policy work.

5 Principles of Fair Play

ØRespect of the Rules

ØRespect of the Opponents

ØRespect of the Officials

ØRespect for the principles of this fair play policy

ØMaintenance of self-control

The SCASL Fair Play Policy

ØMakes all individuals aware that playing in the Sunshine Coast Adult Soccer Leagues is a Privilege, and not a right;

ØProvides a documented commitment to the concepts of Safety and Respect;

ØOutlines a set of clear expectations and guidelines for all participants of the SCASL

ØPromotes a positive set of values for all participants of the SCASL

Team code of Conduct:

It is the responsibility of the team to ensure that coaches, players and fans abide by the principles of Fair Play. Each team must embrace the following Code of Conduct and fully understand that breaching this Code could result in team penalties as severe as suspension for the duration of the remainder of the season. The code is as follows:

ØTeam managers, coaches and members are responsible for control of problem players;

ØFailure to observe the basic standards of behaviour will result in a team’s expulsion from the league and/or the posting of a good conduct bond for a period of three years;

ØThe head referee and the scheduler are copied immediately with the decisions of the disciplinary committee and any players who are caught playing while suspended will have their suspension doubled;

ØTeam managers/coaches will be held accountable for the enforcement of all suspended players;

ØPlayers must exhibit a high degree of sportsmanship, teamwork and positive attitude during all league activities;

ØPlayers must refrain from using foul language towards teammates, coaches, officials or opponents;

ØPlayers must show respect for the decisions, judgment and authority of the officials;

ØPlayers must practice and exhibit self-control;

ØPlayers must show respect for the facilities and clean up team areas before vacating the field;

ØPlayers must accept full responsibility for their behavior, on and off the field of play;

ØPlayers must accept that as part of a team, they are responsible for the over-all behavior of team-mates, coaches and fans;

ØPlayers must accept that they have a responsibility to intervene with their own players, coaches or fans when they are acting in a manner which is not in the spirit of Fair Play.

ØPlayers should remember that soccer is our ‘recreation’ - love and enjoy the game above the prize.

Spectator code of conduct

The team is responsible for the behavior of their fans. It is up to the team to ensure that their spectators respect the following Code of Conduct. Failure to control fans behavior could result in team penalties, the first of which would be termination of the game where the code is breached. Teams should ensure that their spectators:

ØSupport their teams in a positive manner;

ØRespect the rules of the game, opponents and other spectators;

ØShow respect for the decisions, judgment and authority of the officials;

ØMaintain self-control at all times;

ØRespect the facilities, either home or away;

ØRefrain from using foul language towards all others (coaches, officials or opponents);

ØRefrain from yelling at or threatening referees, opposing players or coaches at all SCASL activities;

ØBehave in a manner appropriate for family events (all of the above).

Officials

Officials for the SCASL are expected to have completed BCSA certified training and refresher courses. We require officials to use the full power authorized them by FIFA to control the match (subject to the SCASL modifications of no slide tackles and unlimited substitutions).

League Policies on Referees

1)Team managers and other team members are required to handle problem players. Get them off the field!!!

·Complaining is contagious.

2)Teams exhibiting control problems will be suspended from play

3)Complaints about referees must be made in writing and sent to the league president within 48 hours of a game

·If you feel strongly about the quality of the officials send a written report to the league and we will act on it;

·Be specific in your criticism;

·Check that your own team and the other team agrees with your assessment

4)Remember that our Referees operate without the benefit of qualified linesmen; they can only call what they see.

Communications & Consequences

The success of this Fair Play Policy’s ability to bring respect and safety back to recreational soccer is hinged on timely and appropriate communications. Since the referee has “authority” over the match it is essential that we build-in a means to communicate with the referee when this policy is being breached to a point that our “personal responsibility” to control our players or fans needs his/her authority. We request that team captains be allowed to approach the referee under the following circumstances:

·If after speaking to the other captain and giving him/her a chance to manage a breach of the code, the behavior in question does not stop.

We ask that the referee, at the next stoppage of play, bring both captains together to discuss the situation. The captains will get one chance at this point to control the behavior.

Spectator behavior: the captain of the team whose spectators are misbehaving will speak to them; warning them that if they continue to misbehave the game could be terminated. If the problem behaviors continue after the warnings have been given, the referee should then call the captains of both teams together to inform them that the game will be terminated. The referee will identify which team’s fans have caused the termination of the match and will submit Fair Play game report describing the behaviors displayed & the team responsible. This breach of code will go on record, and if repeated will lead to further consequences.

Player behavior: the manager/captain of the team with the problem behavior will remove this player from the field for a minimum 5 minute cooling–off period; if the team in questions has no substitutes, the team will play short during the cooling off period.

The captain of the opposing team has a right/obligation to inform the other team captain of problem behaviors so that the captain has an opportunity to address the problem player. If the player refuses to leave the field of play for the required cooling-off or continues to misbehave, the opposing team has a right to lodge a Fair Play game report against this player, describing in detail the offending behavior. Ideally we hope that the coach, captain and teammates of the player will deal with the behavior before it gets this far. The referee has the power to issue a card if the behavior warrants.

Incident Reports: If a team fails to control problem players or spectators the other team must file a written incident report. The report must be specific in details and describe the behavior, the actions taken by both sides to control the behavior, the referee’s actions regarding the problem. The report must be sent to the league president within 48 hours. The report will go on record and could lead to further consequences if repeated, or if other incidents arise with the same team, player or spectators.

Further Consequences

If any one player is reported for breach of conduct 3 times within a season, they will be suspended from play for 6 games or their whole team will be miss the next 2 games.

If any one team is reported for player or spectator problem behaviours 3 times within a season the team will be suspended from play for 1 game.

If any one team is reported for player or spectator problem behaviours resulting in termination of a match 3 times within a season the team will be suspended from play for 3 games. The team will be require to post a “performance” bond before they play any further league games and the bond will be forfeit if any single incident is reported in the balance of the season or tournament.

Any team that is required post a performance bond as part of a consequence will have to post the bond in the next year for forfeit their right to play in the league. From the point that a bond is posted any further incidents result in 1) loss of the bond 2) expulsion from the league for 3 years.

SCASL

Fair Play Pledge

For Teams

1.Our team will play by the rules of the SCASL and in the spirit of the game

2.We will control our own team players by voluntarily giving agitated players from our team a 5 minute cooling-off period. We recognize that all players must control their tempers – fighting or “mouthing-off” can spoil the game for everyone

3.We will not permit the intimidation of any player either by word or action. We will not tolerate unacceptable conduct towards officials, other players, coaches or spectators

4.We will are part of a team, and have a responsibility for both our own behavior at that of our team

5.We recognize that officials are there to ensure that the match is played fairly. We will accept the decisions of the officials and show them respect

Our team agrees to abide by the principles of the Fair Play set out in this document by the SCASL. As a representative of the team, I acknowledge that I have a responsibility to inform my team of the contents of this policy and their team responsibility to uphold the rules that are set out

I also agree to abide by the rules, regulations and decisions as set out by the SCAL.

Team Name: Date

Signature 1:

Print Name:

Signature 2:

Print Name:

Referee Fair Play Assessment Questionnaire

Date: Field:

Home: Visitors:

Questions:	Home		Away
	Yes	No	Yes	No
1. Did the players and coaches use acceptable Language?
2. Did the coach and team show respect towards officials and/or the other team?
3. Did the fans show respect towards officials and/or the other team?
4. Did the coach and players accept the decisions of the officials?
5. Did players, coaches, fans accept the outcome of the game?

How would you as the official rate this game?

Excellent

Good

Fair ­

If you have any other comments in regards to the game please use the space provided below?

INCIDENT REPORT FORM

This is to be utilized by anyone in the SCASL to report an incident of unacceptable behavior. An individual is considered to be displaying unacceptable behavior if they are verbally or physically harassing and/or abusing a game participant (player, spectator or official)

Date and Time of Incident:

Name of Offending Individual:

Associated With (Team Name:

Name(s) of Additional Witnesses:

1. Phone Number:

2. Phone Number:

3. Phone Number:

Description of the behaviors:

Fair Play Team Assessment Sheet

Team: Date:

Field: Opponents:

Player conduct on field	None	Some	Often
Displays of poor attitude with officials
Displays of poor attitude with opposition
Hot dogging after scoring
Positive attitude amongst players
Use of bad language by players
Inappropriate body language
Acceptance of referee’s decisions
Conduct of Spectators
Attitude towards players
Attitude towards opponents
Attitude towards opponents spectators

Further comments:

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