SASL RULES AND REGULATIONS (Updated 2-17-2024. Updates are in RED)
A. INTRODUCTION
1. All teams under the jurisdiction of this Association shall play under FIFA rules as set forth by the United States Soccer Federation (USSF), Amateur Division unless changes are specified herein as otherwise.
2. In the event of any organization, team, player, official member, referee, or spectator being proven guilty of any violation of the Laws of the Game, Rules, Regulations, By-Laws of this League, or the NCASA or USSF, the Swansboro Adult Soccer League (SASL) Board shall have the power to order the offending party to be removed from this Association, suspended for a stated period or dealt with in such manner as the Board may deem proper through its Discipline and Appeal Committee. Any organization, team, or player playing with or against the offending team, or player, shall also be dealt with, as the Board may deem proper.
3. The player assumes all risks, responsibility, and liability for loss, damage, or injury to himself while engaged as a player for the team or in using the property and facilities of the SASL or of any entity allowing SASL use of such property and facilities, whether such loss, damage or injury be occasioned by the team, its agents, employees or otherwise. The SASL disclaims all claims for damages and costs arising out of such loss, damage, or injury.
4. The SASL will make available limited medical coverage through the insurance programs sponsored by or provided by the NCASA and/or USSF. A player is only covered upon signing the official NCASA Registration Form and complying with the insurance requirements set out by the NCASA and the insurance provider.
5. Every team is responsible for the conduct of its players, staff, and spectators. As such, each team is required to take all precautions necessary to prevent spectators from threatening or assaulting officials and players before, during, or after the conclusion of games.
6. Any team player, team, or coach participating in a game outside the sanction of
SASL/NCASA is not covered by the NCASA Insurance Policy.
7. The referee is required to include incidents of misconduct by players or fans in his match report. Such cases shall be investigated by the Board and punished as allowed in its governing documents.
8. The Association shall be entitled to publish in the press/social media or any other manner it may see fit league results, photos, information, etc.
9. In cases of charges pressed against an affiliated team, official, or individual, SASL shall have the power to call upon parties involved to produce any book, letter, or document, and/or any other evidence the Board may require.
10. The Board may determine the amount of the annual dues payable to the league by player fees. Dues shall be payable in advance of the season.
11. Representative colors of SASL shall be gold and black as represented by Swansboro Soccer Association. In the event of a change of SSA colors, the colors of SASL will follow the colors of SSA and will change within one year of the SSA making a color change.
B. SASL SEXUAL HARASSMENT STATEMENT
1. It is unlawful to harass a person because of that person’s sex. Harassment can include “sexual harassment” or unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical harassment of a sexual nature. Harassment does not have to be of a sexual nature, however, and can include offensive remarks about a person’s sex. For example, it is illegal to harass a woman by making offensive comments about women in general. Both the victim and the harasser can be either a woman or a man, and the victim and harasser can be the same sex.
Although the law doesn’t prohibit simple teasing, offhand comments, or isolated incidents that are not very serious, harassment is illegal when it is so frequent or severe that it creates a hostile or offensive environment. (Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964) At all SASL-sponsored events, including matches, social events, etc., Sexual Harassment will not be tolerated in any way. If a Sexual Harassment scenario is brought to the SASL Board, it will be recorded and reviewed by the SASL Board who shall reserve the right for further discipline to individuals and/or teams. During matches, the match official is in charge and all accusations shall be brought to the official to then be recorded in the official match report. The SASL Board has a ZERO Tolerance policy towards Sexual Harassment and will render discipline on an a la carte basis allowing both the accuser and accused to be heard.
C. SASL NON-DISCRIMINATION AND STANCE AGAINST RACISM
1. Discrimination of any kind against a team, private person, or group of people on account of ethnic origin, gender, language, religion, politics or any other reason is strictly prohibited and punishable by suspension or expulsion from SASL.
D. LEAGUE ADMINISTRATION
1. SASL will announce season dates, reserve fields, maintain relationships with city and county agencies, provide registration materials, communicate with referee assigner, track and publish team standings, collect player fees, submit team registration materials, maintain league compliance with NCASA Rules and Regulations, hold individual and team disciplinary hearings, enforce the Laws of the Game, the Rules of the Leagues, and issue fines, suspensions, and other disciplinary action to individuals and teams
as it deems necessary to fulfill the mission of SASL.
E. MATCHES and GAMEPLAY
1. Match length: 8v8—2, 30-minute halves with a 5-minute halftime interval. Halftime can be shortened upon approval by both teams and match officials.
2. Both teams are to be ready to play at the scheduled start time. The minimum players for 8v8 is 5. If one team is short (less than 5 players) a ten-minute delay period will begin.
If the team does not have enough players after the delay, the match is forfeited, and the winning team is awarded a 3-0 victory.
a. If a match is abandoned because of the conduct of a team in the match, the other team shall automatically be awarded a win, 3-0, and the team engaging in the misconduct shall be awarded a loss. If a game must be abandoned due to the misconduct of both teams, the referee will file a complete report and the status of the game will be decided by the Discipline and Appeals Committee. The game will be scored as 0-0 forfeit. No points will be awrded to either team.
3. No scheduled games shall be postponed or rescheduled without the consent of SASL.
4. THERE IS NO SLIDING IN ANY DIVISION within SASL! Any sliding at all, outside of the box, on the field will result in an indirect kick. Inside the box, any player including the goalie, contact slide will result in a PK and non-contact slide with result in a inderect kick.
6. In the event both teams have similar color jerseys, the home team will wear the pennies provided by the SASL League.
7. The referee or SASL Board shall have the right to call off the game due to adverse weather. The Association will, when possible, update the SASL website at least 1 hour before the scheduled start of matches.
8. Player substitutions shall be permitted as allowed for in FIFA Regulations with the following exceptions:
a. There is no limitation on re-entry.
b. There is no limitation on the number of substitutions during the match.
c. Any team deemed guilty of time-wasting during substitution is subject to the discipline of the referee, who may also add time to the match to make up for the wasted time as he sees fit.
d. No subbing on the fly. All substitutions must be made from midfield. Any players subbed on the fly will result in a yellow card.
9. Standings shall be determined by awarding three (3) points for a win, one (1) point for a tie, and zero (0) points for a loss.
10. Should two or more teams be tied on points at the end of the season or at any point in the season where clarification is needed, the following Tie-breaker format will apply:
a. Head-to-Head
b. Goal Differential
b. Goals Against
11. Should two teams be tied at the end of a playoff or tournament match; the following tiebreaker format will apply:
a. Teams will play two full 5-minute extra time periods. If the match is tied, then penalty kicks (best of 5). (unless this standard is waived by the Board and notice is provided before the match). If tied after 5 penalty kicks, then the sudden then sudden death format will begin to determine the winner.
12. A player will not be allowed to play without appropriate attire as spelled out in Bi-Laws— Player’s Equipment. Matching team color jerseys are requisite to play. If applicable, Referees may allow “similar” jersey colors with the approval of the opposing team Captain prior to the game beginning.
13. A game is considered complete at the end of the first half. If, for any reason, a game is terminated by the referee after the first half and before the end of regulation play, the score will stand as it is, and the game will be considered complete.
14. Forfeited games may still be played as a friendly with the approval of the SASL Site Coordinator and/or team captains. Referees will not be required to referee the match. However, the field must be cleared at least 15 minutes prior to the scheduled start of the next game.
15. Players will report to midfield to await substitution. Referees and Assistant Referees will administer the substitution in accordance with the FIFA Laws of the Game or at the discretion of the Referee.
16. Any player, coach, or supporter ejected (or red card) from a match must immediately go to their vehicle. Failure to do so will result in the match being terminated. The loss will be given to the represented team.
17. Teams are responsible for removing trash from the field after the game and parking cars in designated parking areas.
18. Alcoholic beverages, pets, and smoking are not allowed on the grounds.
F. TEAM and PLAYER ADMINISTRATIONADIMINSTRATION
1. An Open Division team may have any combination of male or female players on the field at any one time. There are no gender restrictions on team composition in the Open League. All players must be 18 years old or older and not be participating with NCYSA.
2. A Women's League team must consist of women 18 years old or older and not be participating with NCYSA.
3. A Coed League team must consist of men turning 30 by December 31 of the current year or older, and women 18 years old or older and not participating not be participating with NCYSA. Two women must be on the field at all times. If a team is short on women on the field, they will have to play down the number of women they are short.
4. All players must upload a headshot picture when they register. If the picture is not recognizable when the roster is printed, the player will not be allowed to play.
5. Registration closes every Friday at 9:00pm. Registration opens Monday morning at 8 am.
G. Player Registration (Specific)
1. Players must be 18 years old or older and not be participating with NCYSA to play in SASL.
2. Players are only allowed to register with one team in each Division.
3. Upon registration, each player must upload a headshot. No other items or people should be in the headshot. Headshots need to be close to be recognizable when the roster is printed. No hats or sunglasses are allowed in the picture.
4. There are no team transfers allowed during a season without Board approval.
5. Players for a team that disbands will automatically be released unless the team or player is under suspension. No refunds will be given.
6. Players are automatically released at the end of their team’s season.
7. All player releases and transfers must go through and be approved and certified by the SASL Board. Once a player leaves a team they are not permitted to transfer back to that team in the same season.
8. Previously unregistered players may be added to a team roster during the season up until the deadline set each season by the Board (two weeks before the tournament start date).
H. Fines and Suspensions
1. Any team forfeiting will need to inform their league representative by 8:00am on the day of their scheduled match.
2. Any player accumulating three (3) yellow cards during a season shall stand suspended for at least one (1) game immediately after accumulation of the third yellow card. From thereon, every time that player accumulates one (1) more yellow card within that same season, they shall be suspended the rest of that game where they received a yellow and the next game. If a player is sent off during a match when they return from suspension, they will still have the same number of accumulated yellow cards as before the suspension.
If a player receives their third yellow which also turns into a red card, then the player must sit the rest of that game plus the next two games. The red card will be reviewed by the SASL Board to see if further disciplinary actions need to be taken. The SASL Board shall be the final arbiter on any additions or enhancements to this rule. Any yellow card received is an immediate substitution for that player. The player can sub back onto the field at the next dead ball.
3. A player who has been sent off shall automatically stand suspended for (1) game. If further punishment is necessary, the incident will be reviewed by the SASL Board which shall be the final arbiter on any addition to the length of the suspension.
4. A player who is ejected from a match due to a Violent Conduct Red Card and Dissent towards an official will be suspended for a minimum of 3 games. SASL will notify NCASA D & A of the incident, and the player may be suspended for more games by NCASA and/or SASL. For the player to be reinstated, they must attend a MANDATORY MEETING with members of the SASL Board. This player cannot play in any other league games that same day.
5. Spitting on an opponent is an automatic 3-game suspension not including the game in which the player is carded.
6. Threatening or abusive action towards match officials before, after, or during a match will be suspended for a minimum of 3 games. For the player to be reinstated, they must attend a mandatory meeting with members of the SASL Board. A separate referee abuse report may be filed with NCASA. Such reports will be reviewed for further discipline by the SASL Board. This player cannot play in any other league games until this matter is resolved.
Red Cards for actions of dissent towards an official will be suspended for a minimum of 3 games not including the game in which the player was carded. For the player to be reinstated, they must attend a mandatory meeting with members of the SASL Board. A separate referee abuse report may be filed with NCASA. Such reports will be reviewed for further discipline by the SASL Board. This player cannot play in any other league games until this matter is resolved.
7. SASL reserves the right to call a disciplinary meeting with the player(s) involved, and referee(s) to investigate any incident deemed worthy of investigation.
8. The SASL Board reserves the right to sanction all players and teams as a result of a disciplinary hearing.
9. Sanctions may consist of warnings, suspension, probation, loss of points from the offending team, and fines directed to the captains, expulsion from SASL, or any penalty deemed fit by the SASL Board.
10. No team or club is permitted to disband while under suspension. The League must deal with any release or registration of players of a team or club under suspension.
11. Teams attempting to circumvent a decision or seriously impair the interest of the League may be expelled at the Annual General Meeting or a special meeting called for this purpose. A motion for such expulsion shall require a two-thirds vote.
I. Appeals
1. It is SASL’s policy to only hear appeals on multi-game suspensions. Yellow cards or one-game suspensions are not appealable.
2. A protest of a match or appeal of a sending-off (Multi-Game Offense) may be made to the SASL Board. This needs to be submitted in writing via email within one week of the infraction. A $60 appeal fee must be paid to schedule the meeting via PayPal or Venmo.
3. Any grounds for protest of a match must be made to SASL, at the time the offended party is made aware of a perceived injustice. This needs to be submitted in writing via email.
J. Referees
1. All SASL game officials must be certified and registered through USSF.
2. SASL will conduct all payments with referees.
3. It is the responsibility of the referee to enforce the Laws of the Game, and any addendums to the LOTG which may apply on a league-by-league basis.
4. The referee is required to hand over a match report, game score as well as other
related incidents including severe injuries, accidents, cautions, and send offs shall be
reported the day of the match. A designated SASL Board member will be present at the fields to collect.
5. Any act(s) of unruly conduct from players, coaches, or fans is also to be reported on the day of the game.
6. Once a Referee assignment has been made, the referee team will be paid in full regardless of whether the match was played or not. In case of bad weather, the league will not incur any referee fees.
K. Important Things to Remember
1. Shin guards are mandatory for all SASL matches. Socks must cover guards. No exceptions.
2. No changes in the game schedule are permitted without permission of the SASL Board.
3. Games will be postponed ONLY for inclement weather (check the website, Facebook, or Instagram) or for reasons deemed acceptable by the SASL Board.
4. All efforts will be made by the SASL Board to re-schedule matches canceled.
5. Any team found to be in grossly negligent disregard for the facilities on which we play will be subject to review by the Board and disciplined as the Board sees fit and potential of a monetary fine.
6. SASL will not, as a matter of policy, sponsor or schedule games with teams not affiliated with the NCASA or USSF. SASL teams that play unaffiliated teams will do so without the authorization of the SASL and will not be covered by the NCASA insurance policy.
L. SASL POLICY on RESCHEDULING / FORFEITER of GAMES
1. Weather or Non-Soccer Related Reschedules
a. All game or field cancellations by SASL will be rescheduled on play dates determined by the SASL Board.
2. Any team forfeiting will need to inform their league representative by 8:00am on the day of their scheduled match.
