Discipline

 

VMSL DISCIPLINE, CONDUCT & COMMUNICATIONS POLICY

Victoria Masters Soccer League (VMSL)
Edmonton, Alberta

1. PURPOSE AND GOVERNING AUTHORITY

This Policy establishes the disciplinary, conduct, communication, protest, appeal, player eligibility, and enforcement procedures of the Victoria Masters Soccer League (“VMSL”).

1.1 Governing Rules

  1. VMSL Bylaws, Rules and Policies apply first to all VMSL competitions.

  2. Where a matter is not specifically addressed by VMSL rules, applicable Alberta Soccer Association (“ASA”) rules may apply.

  3. Any amendment or change to VMSL rules must be approved by VMSL.

PART I — LEAGUE ADMINISTRATION AND COMMUNICATION

2. DISCIPLINE DIRECTOR AND COMMITTEE

2.1 Discipline Director

Bruce Mintz
Email: [email protected]

2.2 Discipline Committee Members

  1. Bruce Mintz — Discipline & Legal Director

  2. Tomasz Kasprzak — Polonia

  3. Mark Common — Polonia

  4. Adriano Ferraro — Inter 35

  5. Martin Zoeller — Proline Soccer Academy

Unless otherwise specifically provided, official league correspondence must be directed to:

[email protected]

3. VMSL BUSINESS HOURS

VMSL's normal business hours are:

Monday to Friday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Emails received during evenings, weekends, or outside regular business hours may not be reviewed until the next business day.

VMSL will normally attempt to respond to properly submitted correspondence within approximately 48 hours, depending on the urgency and nature of the matter.

4. OFFICIAL COMMUNICATION POLICY

All VMSL-related matters must be communicated through official league channels.

4.1 Official Method

All league inquiries, complaints, disciplinary matters, protests, appeals, requests, and other official correspondence must be submitted by email to:

[email protected]

or by an applicable official VMSL form.

4.2 Unacceptable Methods of Communication

The following are not considered official communication:

  • Text messages to VMSL Directors;

  • Telephone calls to VMSL Directors;

  • Approaching Directors before, during, or after matches to discuss league matters; or

  • Attempting to resolve disputes through informal in-person discussions.

Such communications may be disregarded and do not satisfy any applicable filing deadline.

4.3 Responsibility to Review VMSL Rules

Players, coaches, managers, owners, and team officials are expected to read and understand the VMSL Bylaws, Rules, Policies, and competition requirements.

VMSL is not required to respond to questions that are already clearly addressed by published VMSL rules.

PART II — CONDUCT AND MATCH OFFICIALS

5. ZERO TOLERANCE FOR REFEREE ABUSE

VMSL maintains a zero-tolerance policy for referee abuse.

Prohibited conduct includes, but is not limited to:

  • Verbal abuse;

  • Insulting or offensive language;

  • Threats;

  • Intimidation;

  • Aggressively surrounding a referee;

  • Spitting;

  • Unwanted physical contact;

  • Attempting to strike a referee; and

  • Violent conduct.

Serious incidents involving referee abuse or assault may be referred to ASA or another appropriate authority.

6. COMMUNICATION WITH REFEREES

Players, coaches, managers, team officials, and owners must not approach referees for the purpose of arguing or disputing decisions.

Where communication is permitted, it must:

  1. Be brief;

  2. Remain respectful;

  3. Be limited to clarification rather than argument;

  4. Be conducted through the captain or coach where appropriate; and

  5. End immediately if the referee instructs the person to leave.

7. CONDUCT AFTER THE FINAL WHISTLE

The obligation to behave appropriately continues after the match has ended.

Players, coaches, managers, owners, team staff, and other participants must not confront, surround, intimidate, threaten, or argue with a referee after the final whistle.

Concerns regarding referee performance must instead be submitted through the official VMSL complaint, protest, evaluation, or disciplinary process.

Post-match misconduct may be included in the referee's match report and may result in disciplinary action.

7.1 Possible Consequences

Depending upon the circumstances, consequences may include:

  • Warning;

  • Incident report;

  • Yellow card or other caution where permitted;

  • Red card or send-off;

  • Removal from the playing or facility area;

  • Fine;

  • Suspension;

  • Match forfeiture;

  • Point deduction;

  • Restrictions on attending games;

  • Loss of club or team privileges; or

  • Further disciplinary proceedings.

A red card or report issued in connection with post-match misconduct carries the applicable disciplinary consequences.

PART III — CARDS, EJECTIONS AND PLAYER DISCIPLINE

8. YELLOW CARDS

8.1 Suspension Thresholds

Accumulated yellow cards will result in the following:

  • 3 yellow cards: 1-game suspension;

  • 6 yellow cards: 2-game suspension;

  • 7 yellow cards: Discipline Chair review and possible additional suspension.

8.2 Additional Rules

  1. Two yellow cards received by the same player in one match result in an automatic red card.

  2. Any resulting suspension applies to the player's next scheduled VMSL match unless otherwise directed.

  3. Teams are responsible for monitoring their own players' yellow-card accumulation.

8.3 Reset

  • Yellow-card accumulation resets at the beginning of a new season.

  • Yellow-card accumulation resets for playoffs.

  • Any suspension that has not yet been served carries forward and must still be served.

9. RED CARDS AND EJECTIONS

A player who receives a red card or is otherwise ejected must:

  1. Leave the playing area immediately;

  2. Not remain at or near the team bench;

  3. Comply with all instructions from the referee and facility officials.

The team will play short-handed where required under the applicable competition rules.

Any applicable suspension begins immediately and may carry into playoffs or the following season if it has not been completely served.

Returning to the field or playing area after an ejection without authorization may result in significant additional discipline.

10. BLUE CARDS / TEMPORARY DISMISSAL

Where blue cards or temporary dismissals are used in the applicable VMSL competition:

  1. The temporary dismissal will normally be at least three minutes, subject to referee discretion and the applicable rules;

  2. The player may be substituted where competition rules permit; and

  3. The player may return after the temporary dismissal has expired and the referee permits re-entry.

PART IV — PLAYER ELIGIBILITY AND DISCIPLINE TRACKING

11. RESPONSIBILITY OF TEAM OFFICIALS

The Coach, Manager, Team Owner, and other responsible team officials are responsible for monitoring and managing player eligibility and disciplinary records throughout the season.

This includes:

  • Red cards;

  • Yellow cards;

  • Suspensions;

  • Fines and penalties;

  • Active or inactive player status;

  • Player activation requirements; and

  • Eligibility to participate in a scheduled match.

This responsibility applies whether or not VMSL sends a separate disciplinary reminder or notification.

12. INELIGIBLE OR SUSPENDED PLAYERS

A team that fields a suspended, unregistered, improperly activated, or otherwise ineligible player may automatically forfeit the match following league verification.

Additional discipline or fines may also be imposed on the player, team, or team officials.

A player's name must appear on the official game sheet before the player participates.

13. RETURN FOLLOWING A MAJOR SUSPENSION

A player suspended for more than six games in a season must complete a Player Request to Return to VMSL Form and obtain league approval before returning to play in any VMSL division.

13.1 Activation Request

Where a player's name does not appear on the roster because of a suspension, the team or player must request activation by emailing:

[email protected]

at least 24 hours before the scheduled match.

Requests submitted on the day of the match will not be accepted.

Telephone calls and text messages do not constitute valid activation requests.

Participation without proper activation may result in:

  • Match forfeiture;

  • Additional player suspension;

  • Team discipline; and/or

  • Fines.

PART V — DISCIPLINARY PENALTY SCHEDULE

14. GENERAL APPLICATION OF PENALTIES

The penalties below represent the applicable VMSL disciplinary starting points or minimums.

The Discipline Chair or Discipline Committee may consider the seriousness of the conduct, player history, injury, intent, aggravating or mitigating circumstances, and other relevant evidence when determining the final penalty where discretion is permitted.

Suspensions apply to upcoming scheduled matches unless otherwise directed.

15. SERIOUS FOUL PLAY

Offence First Offence Second Offence
Dangerous tackle / serious foul play 2 games 4 games
Charging 2 games 4 games
Push from behind 2 games 4 games
Elbowing 3 games 6 games
Denying an obvious goal-scoring opportunity (DOGSO) 1 game 2 games
Indiscriminate kicking of an opponent 3 games 6 games
Cynical foul 1 game 2 games
Handball preventing a goal 1 game 2 games
Other serious or extenuating circumstances Discipline Committee discretion Discipline Committee discretion

16. VIOLENT CONDUCT

Offence First Offence Second Offence
Attempt to strike 3 games 6 games
Striking 6 games 10 games
Punching 6 games 10 games
Elbowing 6 games 10 games
Pushing 5 games 8 games
Kicking 6 games 10 games
Propelling an object that strikes or attempts to strike 6 games 10 games
Causing bodily harm 10 games Hearing required
Drawing blood 10 games League ban
Fighting causing bodily harm 10 games League ban
Instigating a fight Minimum 6 games Minimum 12 games
Retaliating in a fight Minimum 6 games Minimum 12 games
Other serious circumstances Discipline Committee discretion Discipline Committee discretion

17. OTHER MAJOR OFFENCES 

The following are considered extremely serious misconduct and “may result in a league ban, up to and including permanent expulsion”

  • Biting;

  • Scratching;

  • Gouging;

  • Headbutting;

  • Spitting on a player, opponent, teammate, referee, or other participant.

Where these offences are designated by VMSL as automatic-ban offences, the applicable ban will take precedence over a lesser penalty listed elsewhere in this Policy.

18. OTHER MAJOR OFFENCES

Offence First Offence Second Offence
Boarding 2 games Minimum 5 games
Illegal entry onto field, except substitution 8 games Minimum 16 games
Altercation / fighting 6 games Minimum 12 games
Returning after ejection Minimum 10 games Minimum 20 games
Returning after ejection and committing another offence Minimum 10 games Minimum 20 games
Dissent by gesture 3 games Minimum 6 games
Dissent by verbal remarks 3 games Minimum 6 games
Other serious circumstances Discipline Committee discretion Discipline Committee discretion

19. COACHES, MANAGERS AND TEAM OFFICIALS

Unless a more serious penalty applies because of the nature of the misconduct:

  • 1st offence: 3-game suspension;

  • 2nd offence: 6-game suspension;

  • 3rd offence: Discipline hearing and possible expulsion.

Coaches, managers, owners, and other team officials may also face additional sanctions for failing to control team members or supporters.

PART VI — DISCIPLINE COMMITTEE AND HEARINGS

20. POWERS OF THE DISCIPLINE COMMITTEE

Subject to VMSL rules, the Discipline Committee may:

  1. Impose disciplinary suspensions;

  2. Increase or reduce penalties where permitted;

  3. Issue fines;

  4. Conduct hearings;

  5. Impose conditions on participation;

  6. Suspend or expel players, officials, or teams; and

  7. Take other disciplinary action authorized by VMSL rules.

21. FACTORS CONSIDERED

When reviewing an incident, the Discipline Committee may consider:

  • Nature of the incident;

  • Type of offence;

  • Intent;

  • Degree of force;

  • Whether the ball was in play;

  • Instigation;

  • Retaliation;

  • Language used;

  • Injury or bodily harm;

  • Conduct following a red card or ejection;

  • Prior disciplinary history;

  • Referee reports;

  • Video evidence; and

  • Other relevant evidence.

22. DISCIPLINE HEARINGS

Where a formal hearing is required:

  1. At least 48 hours' notice should be provided;

  2. The hearing panel will consist of at least three members where practicable;

  3. A participant may be represented by legal counsel where permitted; and

  4. A written decision should normally be issued within 15 working days.

PART VII — PROTESTS AND APPEALS

23. GAME PROTESTS

A game protest must be submitted to VMSL within 48 hours following completion of the match.

The protest must include:

  1. The appropriate VMSL protest form;

  2. All required supporting information and evidence; and

  3. The applicable $250 protest fee.

The protest fee may be refunded where the protest is successful.

Late protests will not be reviewed or reconsidered.

24. APPEALS

Where an appeal is permitted under VMSL rules, it must:

  1. Be filed within the applicable deadline;

  2. Be submitted in writing;

  3. Include the required supporting information;

  4. Include the applicable $250 appeal fee; and

  5. Be submitted by a team whose VMSL account is current.

Possible appeal outcomes include:

  • Uphold the original decision;

  • Reduce the penalty;

  • Increase the penalty where permitted; or

  • Overturn the original decision.

PART VIII — SERIOUS AND SPECIAL CASES

25. ASSAULT OR SERIOUS MISCONDUCT

Serious misconduct involving a referee may be referred to ASA or other appropriate authorities.

Where criminal charges arise from an incident connected with VMSL participation, VMSL may impose or continue an interim suspension pending further review or the outcome of the matter.

A suspended player is not permitted to avoid a suspension by participating for another VMSL team.

PART IX — REFEREE AND INCIDENT REPORTS

26. REFEREE REPORTS

Where a disciplinary report is required, the referee should submit the report as soon as reasonably possible and normally within 72 hours.

Reports should be submitted to:

[email protected]

and may also be forwarded to ASA where required.

PART X — VIDEO REVIEW AND GAME FOOTAGE

27. PURPOSE OF VIDEO REVIEW

Video surveillance at Viktoria Soccer Centre may be used to assist VMSL in reviewing incidents occurring during games or within monitored areas of the facility.

Video may assist with:

  • Disciplinary investigations;

  • Protests;

  • Appeals;

  • Safety or security incidents;

  • Conduct occurring outside the referee's view;

  • Red-card incidents;

  • Player ejections; and

  • Other serious misconduct.

28. VIDEO COVERAGE

The facility currently includes video surveillance covering both soccer fields and designated hallway or facility areas.

The system is intended to provide additional evidence where available but does not replace the authority or judgment of the referee.

29. OBTAINING VIDEO EVIDENCE

Teams seeking to rely upon video footage are responsible for obtaining and submitting the relevant footage to VMSL.

Where applicable, requests for footage may be directed to Viktoria Soccer Centre facility management.

Facility Contact:
Jurgen / Rolland / Mike
Phone: 780-903-4420
Email: [email protected]

A USB storage device may be required to obtain a copy.

Only VMSL, Viktoria Soccer Centre, or an authorized party may release facility recordings.

30. USE OF VIDEO IN DISCIPLINARY MATTERS

VMSL may consider properly obtained video evidence to:

  • Review incidents;

  • Investigate misconduct;

  • Determine disciplinary action;

  • Review incidents outside a referee's direct view;

  • Enforce league rules; and

  • Protect the safety and integrity of VMSL competition.

Submitting video evidence does not guarantee that a decision will be overturned or that disciplinary action will be taken.

PART XI — ENFORCEMENT AND FINAL PROVISIONS

31. COMPLIANCE WITH DISCIPLINARY DECISIONS

Players, teams, coaches, managers, owners, and officials must comply with disciplinary decisions, suspensions, fines, eligibility restrictions, and other sanctions imposed by VMSL.

Participating while suspended or otherwise ineligible may result in match forfeiture and additional disciplinary action.

32. LEAGUE DECISIONS

Where these Rules expressly provide that a VMSL determination is final, no further internal appeal will be available unless VMSL specifically authorizes one under another provision of its Bylaws or Policies.

33. CORE PRINCIPLE

All participants are expected to conduct themselves in accordance with the principles of:

Respect • Fair Play • Sportsmanship • Safety

VMSL will not tolerate conduct that threatens the safety of players, officials, volunteers, spectators, or the integrity and reputation of the League.

34. AMENDMENTS AND RIGHT TO AMEND

VMSL reserves the right, in its discretion, to amend, vary, replace, add to, or remove provisions of its Bylaws, Rules, Policies, and Rules of the Game.

VMSL may also modify, discontinue, suspend, or impose conditions on any league program, competition, procedure, or feature where reasonably necessary.

Where practicable, VMSL will provide members with notice of material amendments.

Continued participation in VMSL following notice of an amendment constitutes acceptance of the amended rules.

Victoria Masters Soccer League (VMSL)
Official League Email: [email protected]

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