1. Rules of Play
A. Current FIFA and USSF rules of play shall be in effect except as specifically stated otherwise in these Rules.
This includes, but is not limited to, the following:
B. The Spring and Fall playing season will begin on the dates specified by the Board of Directors.
C. The league web site shall be the official repository of all scores, maps, rosters and standings.
2. Age
A. In the Over-30 divisions all players must be at least thirty (30) years of age on December 31 of the current year.
B. In the Masters divisions all players must be at least forty (40) years of age on December 31 of the current year.
C. In the Seniors divisions all players must be at least fifty (50) years of age on December 31 of the current year.
D. In the Veterans divisions all players must be at least fifty-eight (58) years of age on December 31 of the current year.
3. Registration
A. New teams desiring to join the league must submit an application in the form of a non-refundable deposit of $50.00.
B. All teams must submit their registration fee, all fines and bonds and their home field location and start time by December 1st for the Spring and July 1st for the Fall. Any variance from the standard 10:00 AM Start time must be justified in writing and proof of any extenuating circumstances must be included.
C. The Board of Directors shall be the final authority on all matters concerning the eligibility of teams which fail to meet the registration requirements.
D. Teams which fail to submit the required materials by the due dates shall be assessed $100.00 fine. Any team with late registration shall be given a 21 day grace period during which all required registration material and the $100.00 late fee must be submitted. If incomplete registration is received, the registration material shall be returned to the team and must be resubmitted within the 21 day limit. No exceptions will be allowed. The postmark of the letter, the email delivery date, or the timestamp of the League Web site will be used as the final proof.
E. All new teams will be reviewed by the Board of Directors and placed in the appropriate Division. In case of team(s) dropping out, the Board of Directors will readjust the affected division(s).
4. Rosters
A. All teams shall maintain their rosters on the league web site.
B. Rosters and fields are frozen at midnight of the Saturday prior to the second scheduled game. Rosters will remain open for the Veterans division throughout the season [with this amendment] subject to yearly review by the Board of Directors.
C. Teams using ineligible players will forfeit all games from the beginning of the season up to and including the game in which the player is discovered. The team will also be assessed $100.00 per player.
D. Once the Rosters are finalized, no person may play for more than one team in a season.
E. The Secretary or Board member designated to receive registrations shall retain all postmarked materials from teams for a period of twelve (12) months to substantiate the correctness of any assessments. All web transactions shall be kept for a minimum of twelve (12) months. Additional records should be kept if deemed necessary by the Board of Directors.
F. When one or more teams have been placed on suspension or expelled, no active team shall have more than a total of four players from any combination of the final rosters of the suspended or expelled teams for the next two years or until the teams suspension is lifted, whichever comes first.
G. Maximum number of players per team shall be twenty-five (25) for the Over 30 divisions and thirty (30) for the Masters, Seniors and Veterans divisions.
Note: If in doubt, contact your Division Director for additional information.
5. Uniforms and Equipment
A. Equipment shall consist of a uniform shirt with a clearly legible and unique number, shorts, socks, shin guards and shoes meeting FIFA requirements. Players shall be allowed to wear spandex or other non-dangerous supporting material during league games.
B. A regulation #5 ball must be provided by the home team.
C. Player’s number must match their number on the team Roster, any exceptions must be disclosed to the referee and the opposing manager prior to the start of the game. A team which does not comply with this rule shall forfeit the game and be fined $100.00.
D. A keeper playing on the field must wear a numbered uniform shirt.
E. In the event of a similar color uniform, the home team must use alternate shirts. In such a case numbers are not required.
6. Officials
A. A referee will be assigned by the coordinator(s) who are appointed by the Board of Directors.
B. If the referee does not show up and the teams cannot agree on a substitute, then the game shall be rescheduled
C. The referee shall be the official time-keeper.
D. The league shall provide a referee assessment form which teams are requested to complete and submit to the referee coordinator after each game.
7. Number of Players
A. A minimum of seven (7) players must be on the field at the start of the game to constitute a legal game. A team which goes below the minimum as a result of ejections will forfeit the game.
8. Preliminary to Games
A. Prior to each game, the referee will confirm that each player is on the official roster and eligible to play. A player not on the official roster is ineligible to play. Verification must be via a US state issued driver’s license, US Immigration card or international passport The ID must contain the player’s picture and date of birth. Only originals will be accepted. Division Directors shall have the authority to question the identity and age of any player in their division and suspend from play any player whose identity or age is in question until the next Board of Directors Meeting or until the Division Director has ascertained the true age and identity of the player.
B. All team managers are required to hand the referee and the opposing coach an official roster prior to the start of the game. Failure to submit a roster prior to the game will result in a forfeit (2-0). Only copies of the last roster submitted to the league are official.
C. Prior to the start of each regular season game, each manager shall pay the referee one half (1/2) of his fee.
9. Game Time and Place
A. Games shall be played on Sunday morning at 10:00 AM or as indicated in the schedule, unless both teams mutually agree to change the time of day. Any variance from the 10:00 start time must be justified in writing as part of the team’s registration and approved by the board of directors.
B. Teams must be present on the field of play fifteen (15) minutes prior to the scheduled kickoff.
C. It is the responsibility of the home team to provide a playable field at game time. If the home field is unplayable two hours prior to kickoff and will be unplayable at kickoff, the home team must notify the away team and the Division Director of the cancellation or field change to avoid a forfeit. If the home field is unplayable/unavailable and the away team has an available field, the venue will be switched. If the other team refuses, it will forfeit the game (2-0). If the field is declared unplayable by the referee, the venue for the replay (if any) shall be switched to the visitor’s field.
D. No team may change the venue (place or time) of a game with less than 72 hours notice to the opponent and the director. Any attempt to change the venue with less then 72 hours notice may be rejected by the opposing team, the division director or the referee coordinator. In this event, the division director may direct that the game be played at the place and time of his choosing, including the visitor’s home field.
10. Playing Periods
A. Normal playing periods will consist of two forty five (45) minute halves.
B. No overtime will be played in a regular season game.
C. All games shall be completed except that in the event a game is called because of inclement weather or other hazards (i.e. a broken crossbar), the game will:
1. Be replayed entirely if at least 45 minutes remain to be played.
2. If there remains 15 minutes or more to be played, the amount of time remaining will be played as an addendum to the next game between the two teams involved. If this is the last scheduled game between the two teams, the result shall stand.
3. If less than 15 minutes remains, the result of the game at termination shall stand.
11. Substitutions
A. Unlimited substitutions are allowed with the consent of the referee at the following times:
1. Goal Kick
2. Goal Scored
3. Half-time
4. When the ball is stopped for injury and the injured player is substituted.
5. On OFFENSIVE throw-ins, both teams if offense subs.
12. Cautions & Ejections
A. A player ejected from a game cannot play in the next game played. A player ejected from two (2) games cannot play in the following two games and is subject to further action by the Board of Directors. A player ejected from three (3) games is automatically suspended for the rest of the season and is subject to further action by the Board of Directors. If ejected at the last game of the season, the suspension shall be served in the following season or play-offs. Changing teams will not void the suspension(s).
B. Ejected players are to leave the field and the vicinity of the playing area - this is defined by the referee. If an ejected player refuses to vacate the field and its vicinity or causes dissent, the referee shall stop the game and that player’s team shall forfeit the game. The player in question will be subject to disciplinary action by the Board of Directors.
C. Anytime a player accumulates three yellow cards in three games in one season, he will be suspended from participating in the next played game. This suspension shall count as one ejection (red card).
D. A team which receives a total of ten (10) yellow cards (1 red card equals two yellow cards) within one season shall be penalized two (2) points in their division standings. A team with fifteen (15) yellow cards including playoffs will be penalized an additional two points in their standings and shall be subject to disciplinary action by the Board of Directors. A team which receives a total of 15 or more Yellow Cards (exclusive of cards from forfeited games) during the regular season, shall be ineligible to participate in the season play-offs.
E. A Division Director shall have the authority to suspend until the next Board meeting any player(s) involved in any physical or violent acts.
F. If a player plays in a game in which he is ineligible by reason of suspension, the team shall forfeit the game and will be fined $100 per player per game.
G. For the purpose of suspensions, a forfeit will not count as a game played.
H. Any team which accumulates 15 card-points, including the playoffs but not including forfeits, will automatically be reviewed by the board and subject to disciplinary action.
13. Results and League Standings
A. For the purpose of determining standings
Three (3) points shall be awarded for a win or a win by forfeit.
One (1) point shall be awarded for a tie.
Zero (0) points for a loss or a loss by forfeit.
B. Any team that forfeits a game shall be assessed the equivalent two yellow cards and shall pay the full referee fee.
C. All results and cautions shall be called to the Division Director by the home team no later than twenty-four (24) hours after the game.
D. If teams are tied on points, the following rules shall be used to break the tie:
1. Head to Head points comparison
2. Head to Head goal difference
3. Total goal difference (across division)
4. Total goals scored (across division)
5. Head to Head goal difference with away goals counting double
E. The last place team in each division will be relegated and the first place team will be promoted.
F. The first place team in each North division shall play the second place team in the corresponding South division and vice versa in the semi-finals. In the event that one or both teams are unable to field a team for the playoffs, the third and/or fourth place teams shall replace them. The winners of the two semi-finals shall meet in the finals. Any team that fails to appear in a playoff game without giving their division director 5 days notice shall be fined $250 and will not be promoted.
G. A team that forfeits three (3) or more games in a season is subject to be dropped at the discretion of the board of directors.
H. If a team is expelled mid-season or is banned from the playoffs, then the results of all of their games shall be expunged from the record for the purposes of determining the standings in their division, except that all cards accumulated by both teams shall stand.
14. Postponed Games
A. All postponed games shall be played on the second Wednesday following the Sunday scheduled game in the Spring season and the second Saturday following the Sunday scheduled game in the Fall season, unless otherwise ordered by the Division Director for good cause.
B. If the game affects the play-offs, it shall be played no later than the Sunday Saturday after the tenth regular game.
C. Except for unplayable fields, no team may postpone a game with less than thirteen (13) days notice to the Division Director and Referee Coordinator and the approval of the opposing team. Except for unplayable fields, no team may postpone a game with less than thirteen (13) days notice to the Division Director and Referee Coordinator. It is the responsibility of the home team to provide notice. Postponements must be made in accordance with Rule 9.
D. If the home field is unplayable or unavailable and the away team has an available field, the venue will be switched. If the other team refuses, it will forfeit the game (2-0).
E. All postponed games must be played. Any team not showing for the rescheduled game will forfeit the game. If both teams fail to show, they will forfeit the game (2-0).
F. Division Directors may refuse to honor any request for a schedule a makeup game that is not received at least 7 days before the proposed make up date.
15. Canceled Play-off Games
A. If any play-off final is canceled due to adverse weather conditions and cannot be rescheduled amicably between the two teams prior to the start of the next season, the two finalists shall be named co-champions.
B. If any semi-final game is canceled due to adverse weather conditions and cannot be rescheduled, the president of the league or a neutral assignee will reschedule the game the following Saturday (unless both teams agree to a game sooner than that).The team which declines to play at the time and place designated by the president or his neutral assignee shall forfeit the game. If the game could not be rescheduled, the team with the best record advances to the final.
16. Protests
A. The vice-president of the league will be the chairman of the protest committee. The protest committee will consist of the vice-president and up to ten (10) at large members appointed by the Board of Directors. The vice-president will choose four (4) members of the committee at random to hear each protest. Any committee member with a real or potential conflict of interest will recuse themselves. If the vice-president has a real or potential conflict of interest, he will recuse himself and will appoint a committee member to chair the protest hearing in his absence. If recusals result in fewer than five (5) members being available to hear a protest, the President may appoint additional members on a temporary basis. The chair of a protest hearing will only vote in the event of a tie. (M Jan/2008)
B. Game protests must be submitted in writing and postmarkedwithin seventy-two (72) hours of the game date. All such protests must be mailed to the division director with a one hundred (100) dollar fee. A copy shall be sent to the vice-president of the league.
C. A protest of any board action shall be submitted within seventy-two (72) hours of the notification. All such protests must bemailed to the secretary with a one hundred (100) dollar fee. A copy shall besent to the vice-president of the league.
D. If a protest is upheld, the fee shall be refunded.
17. Conduct
A. All members of the team are expected to conduct themselves in a manner befitting the league and the adults who play in it. It is the manager/coach responsibility to control his players and spectators.
B. Any player verbally or physically abusing the referee and/or his property will be dealt with severely, up to and including ejection for life from the league.
C. No alcoholic beverages are permitted before or during the game.
D. Any player found using a false ID to make himself eligible to play in any of the league divisions will be suspended indefinitely from the league, and his name will be sent to MASS and USSF. Any team manager that allows or in any way aids an ineligible player to play will be suspended indefinitely from the league.
E. The board of directors may question the ID of any player or manager at any time. If proper ID of a questioned player is not presented to the league secretary within 72 hours, the player will be suspended for the remainder of the season and will only be able to play in subsequent seasons after proper ID proof has been presented.