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BUSTLETON PIKE 215/322-7565
215/322/7566 – FAX e: icsl@mindspring.com
To:
All Club Coordinators
From:
Bob Sterner, Grievance Chairman
Date:
Re: Grievance/Ethics
Now that the 2004-2005 season
has begun, it seemed an appropriate time to pass along some important
information regarding the ICSL Ethics and Grievance committees. Please forward this information to your
coaches.
There is typically some confusion about the difference
between Grievance and Ethics. Grievance
addresses infractions of the Laws of the Game by players, as well as player
eligibility and player roster issues. The Grievance committee renders sanctions
against players who violate the Laws of the Game based on the EPYSA Arbitration
Board rules, which can be found on the ICSL web site at icslsoccer.org. The arbitration rules provide only for minimum
suspensions, and the committee has the latitude to add additional suspension
time based on the facts documented in the Referee Game Report.
Ethics is concerned with the inappropriate behavior of
coaches, team officials, and spectators.
The EPYSA Arbitration Board rules and the ICSL Rules and Regulations
detail many of the offenses and penalties for which the Ethics committee is
responsible. The ICSL Rules and
Regulations can also be found on the league web site. Ethics offenses can be minor, such as
improper lineups, poorly lined fields, and lack of corner flags, to the more
serious violations including playing ineligible players, referee abuse, and not
keeping control of sideline spectators.
Coordinators will receive notification of
Grievance/Ethics infractions and the committee decisions shortly after review
of the game report. Player/coach
suspensions must be served immediately. If a player is
red-carded he/she should automatically sit the next game, even
if you have received no notice from the Grievance committee. Any game
suspensions in addition to the first game are to be served after you receive
the committee decision. Proof that a
game suspension(s) has been served is an original lineup(s), signed by the
referee, on which the suspended player’s/coach’s name does not appear. This season, coaches with suspended players must download a
blank Team Line-up sheet from the ICSL web site and complete the form without
listing the suspended player(s) on the lineups.
Crossed off names, white out, and copies will not be accepted!
Committee decisions can be appealed only within 48 hours
of receipt of the notification. Notice
of appeal must be in writing and must include the appeal fee of $100. An appeal hearing is usually scheduled within
5 days and the appeal decision within 48 hours of the hearing. Coaches also have the opportunity to appeal
the committee decision to the Executive Board.
Written notice of appeal and the fee of $150 must be received within 48
hours of the committee appeal decision.
Failure to follow the above rules can lead to game
forfeiture, and the associated fines and penalties, as well as additional coach
sanctions. As coordinator, you are
responsible to make sure that your coaches understand what is required
concerning player/coach suspensions.
Unfortunately, players are usually the ones to suffer when coaches don’t
follow procedure. Please don’t let that
happen.
Enjoy the season!