PA West State Soccer Association
Women's Greater Pittsburgh Soccer League (WGPSL)
Open, Over 23 and Co-Ed Divisions
RULES & REGULATIONS
For the Good of the Game Always…
1. RULES OF PLAY: Except as otherwise provided in these League Rules & Regulations, the FIFA "Laws of the Game" shall apply to all competition sponsored by this League. The main goal of this League is for players to enjoy the game of soccer. Common sense should play a major role in each player’s attitude towards officials, opponents, and their teammates. In short, these are competitive but recreational Divisions, “PLEASE TAKE IT EASY.” As adults, we hold each individual personally accountable for their actions within the Divisions. Furthermore, as a recreational League we will allow for competitive play but will not sanction combative play.
2. ADMINISTRATION: The PA West Adult Association Executive Committee officers will consist of the Adult Vice President, Secretary and the commissioners of each of the leagues. Each league within the Adult Association will have its own Commissioner. The Executive Committee reserves the power to enforce any and all rules. Fines, suspensions, forfeitures, etc. where not defined in the Rules and Regulations, may be levied by a two-thirds majority of members present at any regular or special meeting.
3. REGISTRATION/ROSTERS/PASSES/TRANSFERS
All teams and players must be officially registered with PA West and paid in full before playing in any Division. In the Open Division any female adult 18 or older can participate. In the Co-Ed Division, any adult age 18 or older can participate. In both Divisions, players must be 18 by the first game of the season, or a graduating high school senior. In the Over 23 Division, any female adult age 23 or older can participate. In the Over 23 division, player may be turning 23 during the session and be eligible to play in that session. Registration is performed through the PA West Adult online registration system. (www.pawest-adult.org). Once players are entered in the online system and current year registration fee is paid in full the registration system will allow generation of player cards and a current team roster which are required for all games. The registration system will allow players on teams in different WGPSL divisions, as well as different adult leagues, to have multiple cards issued indicating the team and division or league for which that card is applicable. Each team shall be insured for liability through PA West Soccer by the payment of all team and player registration fees.
Team must have a current stamped and stickered roster. Every player will have a current stickered player pass and must present his pass to the referee at game. NO ROSTER OR NO PLAYER PASS NO PLAY!!! NO EXCEPTIONS. Failure to do so results in a game forfeit.
Players found guilty of being registered with more than one sanctioned team within a Division at a time shall be suspended a minimum of two (2) games in that Division. Offending teams shall be subject to one $15.00 fine per illegal player and forfeiture of every match in which an illegal player participated. (Rostering a player implies intent.) A player may transfer from one team to another by his/her own choice but team managers must enable the transfer by removing the player from their roster. Players may not transfer solely for playoffs; the team that you are on in the preceding season is the one you are allowed to participate in playoffs with.
4. GAME REQUIREMENTS:
A. Open Division: Duration of the game shall be two 45-minute halves, with a maximum of 10 minutes between halves.
B. Over 23 & Co-Ed Divisions: Duration of the game shall be two 30-minute halves, with a maximum of 5 minutes between halves.
C. There will be no overtime period except in play-offs or championship games (two 10 minute periods with golden goal. If game is still tied at the end of 20 minutes, proceed to a shootout).
D. The game ball shall be a #5. The home team will provide 2 game balls acceptable to the referee.
E. Slide Tackles WILL BE PERMITTED in the Open Division. There will be NO SLIDE TACKLES in the Over 23 & Co-Ed Divisions. In the Over 23 & Co-Ed Divisions, all slide tackles will be called dangerous plays and indirect free kicks will be awarded. Continued use of slide tackles are cardable offenses. Two slide tackles by the same player in the same game will result in a yellow card. A slide tackle is by definition a “tackle” where a player leaves both feet to challenge an opponent. Sliding to prevent a ball going in the goal or going into touch is allowed as long as there is no opponent involved or is sliding when no other player is within 6 feet. Slide tackles are to be enforced by referees for the safety of all players and the referee’s decision as to whether a player slides or not is final.
F. Goal Punts and Throws: In the Over 23 Division ONLY, a goal punt or throw cannot cross midfield line. If a punt or a throw crosses midfield, play is stopped and ball placed on midfield line for other team’s indirect free kick.
G. Cancellations: No cancellations of games shall be allowed. If a team is more than fifteen minutes late or cannot field the mandatory seven players in the Open & Co-Ed divisions or the mandatory five players in the Over 23 division it will forfeit the game (1-0 loss). It then can scrimmage the other team if the team that is short players recruits other carded players. Under no condition is a non-carded player to play in one of these games.
H. Referees must enforce the FIFA, Association, league and division laws. They must maintain control of the match, the players and the officials and spectators. They must verify that all players are authorized. Their responsibility includes activity before and after the game. In the event that the scheduled referee does not show after 15 minutes, an acting referee may be used but must be approved by both team captains and must be a certified USSF referee. Outcome of the game is final. Referee reports for all games must be submitted to PA West with complete details within 4 days of the match where any incidents are reported. Any red cards must be submitted to PA West along with the referee report. Failure to provide required report will result in the referee being ineligible for future adult matches. Referees are expected whenever possible to advise captains and coaches of any unacceptable conduct and to give them an opportunity to correct the situation before taking other corrective action.
I. Complete Game: In all Divisions, games suspended by the referee on the field of play will be deemed a full game if one half has been played. The score at that time shall stand.
5. Number of players: Open and Co-Ed Divisions - No team may play with less than seven (7) players, or dress more than 24. Each Co-Ed team must play 4 women on the field at all times. If a team only has 3 women, they can play a man down in order for the game to be considered legal and so on. If a Co-Ed team has no women present for the start of the game, it will be considered a forfeit. Any team that because of injury or cards gets down to less than seven players can finish the half they are in but cannot begin the next half without the legitimate minimum of seven players. Over 23 Division – No team may play with less than five (5) players, or dress more than 15. No player shall be added to any team roster after July 1 in all Divisions.
6. Substitutions: Open Division: The number of times a team may substitute is unlimited, but must be with the referees' permission from midfield. Co-Ed and Over 23 Divisions: The number of times a team may substitute is unlimited and may be done on-the-fly at midfield.
7. Required Forms: Each team is required to surrender the following items to the referee prior to each match: official roster and valid player ID cards. Each player must present their pass personally to the referee at game time (coaches/managers will pass cards out before each game). NO ROSTER OR NO PLAYER PASS – NO PLAY. NO EXCEPTIONS! Failure to do so results in a game forfeit. At the end of the game, the referee will return the required forms/passes to each team.
8. Dress Code: Shin guards must be worn. Numbered uniforms will be required. Permission to wear jewelry including earrings, necklaces, rings, watches and bracelets is strictly the referee’s decision. Braces, supports or casts must either be soft or covered with soft material so there are no exposed hard surfaces that could injure players. The referee will have the final decision regarding what may be worn by any player before he/she may participate in the game. Referee decisions are final.
9. Uniform Color Conflict: If a color conflict arises, the home team will change to their alternate color, if requested to do so by the referee. Goalkeeper jerseys must be different from either team color.
10. Submission of Game Scores: In the Open Division, the winning team (or home team in the event of a draw) shall email game results to League Commissioner or designated alternate by Wednesday of the following week. Failure to do so may result in an administrative forfeit. Updated scores and standings will be sent to all team managers no later than Thursday night. In the Over 23 & Co-Ed Divisions, the winning team (or home team in the event of a draw) shall email game results to League Commissioner or designated alternative by Saturday of that week. Failure to do so may result in an administrative forfeit. Updated scores and standings will be sent to all team managers no later than Sunday night.
11. Team and Spectator Conduct: It will be the responsibility of the team captains to see that their players and fans behave in a proper and respectful manner. No non-participating player or spectator is permitted behind the goal line.
12. INJURIES: If an injury should occur during a game, it is the team manager’s duty to insure that the referee has noted the injury on the game report. In addition, the referee should write a brief description of the injury.
13. DISCIPLINARY ACTION
The PA West Adult Soccer Association supports soccer activity that is governed by a strong sense of individual and team sportsmanship. Player offences will be tracked across all leagues in the Adult Association and sanctions/fines may accumulate from offences in different divisions/leagues. The suggested punishments and fines may be altered by the Executive Committee as circumstances warrant.
A player is cautioned and shown the yellow card if he commits any of the following offences:
If a player receives a yellow card the referee may require that player to be immediately substituted and remain off the field until the next substitution opportunity.
FIGHTING / VIOLENCE WILL NOT BE TOLERATED AT ANY ADULT ASSOCIATION MATCH. THE ADULT ASSOCIATION RESERVES THE RIGHT TO BAR ANY PLAYER OR COACH FROM PARTICIPATING IN ANY OR ALL LEAGUE/DIVISION MATCHES.
A. PLAYERS SHALL BE SHOWN THE RED CARD AND EJECTED FROM ADULT ASSOCIATION MATCHES FOR THE FOLLOWING (per FIFA law):
· serious foul play
· violent conduct
· spitting at an opponent or any other person
· denying the opposing team a goal or an obvious goal-scoring opportunity by deliberately handling the ball (this does not apply to a goalkeeper within his own penalty area)
· denying an obvious goal-scoring opportunity to an opponent moving towards the player’s goal by an offence punishable by a free kick or a penalty kick
· using offensive, insulting or abusive language and/or gestures
· receiving a second caution in the same match
· persistent protests against decisions by the referee and assistant referees
· leaving the field of play without notifying the referee
· extremely unethical (ungentlemanly) conduct
· repeated gamesmanship
· insulting players, team officials or any other person present at the match
· other serious acts of unsporting behavior
PLAYERS EJECTED FOR THE ABOVE REASONS (except violent conduct and spitting) SHALL BE SUSPENDED FOR ONE (1) SUBSEQUENT GAME.
REPETITION: (even if it is not the same type of infringement): suspension for at least two matches and FINED $50.00
B. A PLAYER SHALL BE SHOWN THE RED CARD AND EJECTED FROM AN ADULT ASSOCIATION MATCH FOR INSULTING THE REFEREE AND / OR ASSISTANT REFEREE(S) AND SHALL BE SUSPENDED FOR TWO (2) SUBSEQUENT GAMES AND FINED $25.00
REPETITION: suspension for at least four matches and FINED $50.00
C. A PLAYER SHALL BE SHOWN THE RED CARD AND EJECTED FROM AN ADULT ASSOCIATION MATCH FOR VIOLENT CONDUCT OR SPITTING AGAINST ANOTHER PLAYER, TEAM OFFICIAL OR ANY OTHER PERSON AT THE MATCH AND SHALL BE SUSPENDED FOR FOUR (4) SUBSEQUENT GAMES AND FINED $100.00
REPETITION: Disciplinary hearing, suspension for at least four matches and FINED $200.00
D. A PLAYER SHALL BE SHOWN THE RED CARD AND EJECTED FROM AN ADULT ASSOCIATION MATCH FOR SERIOUS VIOLENCE AGAINST THE REFEREE AND / OR ASSISTANT REFEREE(S) AND SHALL BE SUSPENDED FOR FOUR (4) GAMES AND FINED $100.00 WHICH MUST BE PAID BY THE PLAYER DIRECTLY TO THE ADULT ASSOCIATION BEFORE THE PLAYER MAY BE RE-INSTATED. (The player pass will not be returned until the fine is paid.)
REPETITION: lifelong ban
Protests will be submitted in writing to Adult Vice President with appropriate fee ($150.00) within 7 days of the suspension (U.S. Postal Service postmark shall determine the timeliness of the protest). A copy of the protest must also be submitted to the League Commissioner.
Appeals committee guarantees prompt and impartial hearings within 28 days of the appeal
All disciplinary procedures carry on to consecutive League Seasons
Any player receiving two red cards or four cards (yellow or red) during a league season, shall not play again in that season (including playoffs) until reviewed by the Disciplinary Board.
Team managers and captains should make every effort to control their players and ensure they comply with the rules and referee instructions. Spectators must not interfere with matches, players or officials and teams and their managers must ensure that their spectators in attendance comply or the Executive Board will impose sanctions against the offending team.
14. Any team or player or manager failing to comply with the WGPSL Rules & Regulations is subject to disciplinary action by the League Commissioner and/or the Executive Committee.
15. WGPSL standings are based on a 3-point system. Points shall be awarded as follows:
3 points for each game won
1 point for each tie
0 points for each game lost
Team standings are determined based on the following criteria:
Total points
Goal Difference
Goals For
Goals Against
Head to Head
REVISED June 18 2010