ABBOTSFORD MEN'S SOCCER LEAGUE (AMSL) BYLAWS

1. LEAGUE FEES

League fee deposit of $200.00 for Summer & Winter season is required when the team is registered. The balance of fees is due upon the registration cut-off date.  Failure to remit fees on time will result in a $50 fine and suspension of the team until such time as the fees are paid. Cheques should be made payable to Abbotsford Men's Soccer League and given to the Treasurer.  E-transfers are also accepted.

An email address is required from teams at the time of registration.  Registration is not considered complete until an email address is provided.

$50 fine will be levied for failure to send a representative to a required league meeting or pay the $200 league fee deposit at or prior to the meeting.

 

2. LEAGUE STANDINGS/SCORING

A team is awarded 3 points for a win, 1 point for a tie, and 0 points for a loss. In the case of a tie in points between teams at the end of league play, the record between those two teams during the regular season play will be the first tie breaker. If still tied the team with the most wins during league play, if still tied the team with the larger goal differential during league play will finish ahead of the other team. If still tied goals for then goals against will be used. If still tied a coin toss will decide.

 

3. PLAYOFFS     

WINTER:

Top 8 teams from both divisions advance to the first round.

Round # 1        1st       Vs       8th

                          2nd     Vs         7th

                          3rd        Vs       6th

                          4th      Vs         5th

Division 1 teams qualify to play for AMSL WINTER CUP.                              

Division 2 teams qualify to play for AMSL DIV 2 CUP.  

At the end of the regular season, the bottom two teams from Division 1 will drop down to Division 2 while the two top teams from Division 2 will move up to Division 1.  The 2nd place team in Division 2 may decline to advance to the 1st Division at the Board’s discretion.

SUMMER:

Division format and both AMSL Summer Cup & Consolation Cup formats to be decided at the discretion of the Board dependent upon the number of teams registered.

 

4. TROPHIES

Trophies will be awarded to:

Regular Season & Cup Champions

Leading Goal Scorer

Team goalie/goalies with least goals against

Regular Season & Cup trophies are to be returned to the league at the Winter AGM for winter trophies and by the 3rd game of Summer season for summer trophies. Failure to return the trophies on time will result in a $100 team fine.

 

5. PREPARATION & CARE OF FIELDS

5.1 Field Preparation

The designated home team must ensure that the field has goal nets, corner flags or red cones are in place, and also a match quality game ball is provided to the referee prior to start of the game. Failure to provide any of the above mentioned equipment will result in a $50 fine.

5.2 Care of Fields

Fines will be levied against teams reported to have left any form of garbage (cans, water bottles, tape, cigarette butts, etc.) at the fields.  $100 fine for first offence with fines doubling for subsequent offences.

 

6. FORFEITS

A minimum of 7 players must be on the field ready to start the game at the scheduled kick-off time, otherwise that game will be declared a forfeit. The opponent will be awarded 3 points and a 3-0 victory will be recorded in the stats. The team forfeiting the game is fined $200 which includes the referee fee, field rental as well as a $50 stipend being returned to the other team; fine must be paid prior to the next scheduled game for that team.

If a team cannot field a team and the team representative notifies one of the Board members two days prior to the scheduled game the referee's fee is waived but the game is still forfeited to the opposing team as outlined above.

The first forfeit with the allotted notice given will result in no fine.  A second forfeit within the same season, notice provided or not, will result in a $200 fine.  A third forfeit within the same season, notice provided or not, will result in the forfeiting team’s expulsion from the league.

 

7. INCLIMENT WEATHER

The league will notify all teams by Friday evening if the Parks & Recreation Commission has closed the parks due to weather. In the event that the fields become unplayable due to overnight bad weather games will be cancelled Saturday morning. When league games are cancelled all teams move on to the next scheduled game. Under no circumstances shall a league team play an exhibition game if the fields have been closed. Use of closed fields could result in the loss of all fields for the entire league season and place the future of the league in jeopardy.

When a game is cancelled due to (referee or field not available for scheduled game) and for whatever reason it cannot be rescheduled, the teams will be awarded a 0-0 tie in the standings for that game.    

 

8. DISCIPLINE

8.1     Yellow Cards

Two yellow cards in the same game will results in a one game suspension. Any player receiving an accumulation of 3 yellow cards over the season receives an automatic one game suspension.  If a player receives a straight red card and is suspended, it does not affect his current yellow card count.  If the league identifies a pattern of offenses the discipline committee has the option of increasing number of game suspensions at their discretion.     

8.2     Red Cards

A player receiving a red card during the game will automatically be suspended for one game and fined $50. If that player receives a second red card it will be an automatic three game suspensions and $100 fine.

Minimum suspension of three games and a minimum $50 fine will be issued for:

Referee abuse

Fighting

Reckless Play

If a player has received a red card for one of the above offenses, and is later issued a second red card for any of the above offences, that player shall be suspended for the balance of the season (including playoffs).

Note: Yellow and red cards carry over into playoffs.  

If a player receives a red card for referee abuse, then it is an automatic minimum $50 fine with a 3 game suspension.  Penalties double for each subsequent referee abuse incident.

If a team or their spectators abuse a referee, opposing team members or opposing team fans from the sidelines, then a minimum fine of $100 will be given and an automatic $300 cashable bond will be levied against the team, refundable at season's end upon the Board's discretion (ie. no further infractions).

Red card suspensions carry over from winter to summer and summer to winter seasons.

            8.3     Discipline Committee

In the event that a team asks for an appeal of a discipline issued against them, a meeting shall be convened within an appropriate time frame based on room availability. The offending player is required to attend, and one representative from each league team along with league officials shall make up the disciplinary committee. If a team fails to send a representative, a $50 fine will be levied against that team.  If more than one division exists, the disciplinary committee will consist of representatives of the division other than the one to which the teams appealing the decision belong.   The offense will be reviewed, the offending player may speak on his own behalf.  

The discipline committee will make a decision without the reps from the two teams involved in the game in question.  Members of the original disciplinary committee that levied the initial punishment must send another representative for their team to vote if their team is required to vote.  The reps from the teams in question will then be informed of the decision.  A simple majority is all that is required to come to a decision. This committee will also be called together to deal with game or suspension protests. For a team to appeal a decision, made by the Board, it must pay $50 (non-refundable) to the league to cover room rental, and as a disincentive to appeal every decision.  If a team does not show for their own appeal, then they automatically lose the appeal and may face additional punishment.

            8.4     Game/Suspension Protest

Any protest by a team must be filed by 12:00 pm the following business day the game was played in writing otherwise it will not be accepted. The protest must be lodged with one of the Board members. In the event that the committee's ruling is appealed the discipline committee will deal with the protest within an appropriate time frame based on room availability. The protesting team/individual will be responsible to pay a $50 fee for the rental of the meeting facility. The $50 fee must be paid when the team lodges the protest Note: If other issues are in need of discussion at the time of the above stated meeting, the league has the option to include these.

         8.5         Performance Deposit for New Teams

Any new team that is accepted into the league must also pay a $500 performance deposit. A team will lose the deposit if it is removed from the league due to ongoing discipline issues with the team (multitude of major fouls, consistently breaking league rules, etc.).  This would be determined at an extraordinary meeting which would be called by the Board to deal with the matter.  If the team decides to fold for any reason during the playing season, the performance deposit will not be refunded.  Should no issues arise, the deposit will be refunded to the team at the end of their first season. 

        8.6    Fighting                                                                                                        

Any Abby MSL League registered player involved in fighting at any of the soccer venues could be suspended for up to one year from summer and winter soccer games.  During the game if any player from side line enters the field without referee permission and gets involved in any fights will be suspended for minimum 6 games.  If a spectator enters the field during a volatile situation and involves himself, the team to which he belongs to will be fined $100.              

 

9. ABANDONED GAMES           

If the referee abandons a game, unless he has determined that one team deliberately caused the abandonment to avoid a loss ( in which case the Board will render a decision ) the abandoned game will be rescheduled by the league at the earliest time available ( possibly a night game ).  In the event the game was abandoned under violent circumstances, the referee is not required to approach a team and physically show a card if he feels the situation is volatile or unsafe.  He may include the card in his report instead.         

Note: When the league reschedules a game the teams must field a team on that day or they will receive a forfeit.

 

10. SUBSTITUTIONS

A team may make unlimited substitutions during all league/playoff games it is left to the referee's discretion as to when you may make those substitutions- call for his attention, ask for sub, sub enters when referee waives him on. Play does not resume until the player being replaced has left the field. No substitutions for players who are ejected from the game.

 

11. PLAYER ELIGIBILITY

      11.1     Maximum Roster Size

All players must complete the AMSL Participant Agreement before they are elgible to play.

Each team is allowed a maximum of 25 players on their team Roster. For the first league games, teams may use players (within league rules) without those players counting against the maximum roster size. After the 3rd game, each team must decide who it wishes to declare as a member of their team.  All players on the team list as of the 4th game will be officially considered a player on your team and will have taken up one roster spot and cannot be removed prior to the transfer window (transfer window applies to winter only).  It is up to the team managers to account for their own rosters and ensure only active players remain on your team list after the 3rd game of league play. 

WINTER - All players must submit a headshot photo for ID cards, which come into effect at the 4th game of the season. The photo should be mainly of the head of the player.  Sunglasses or hats are not allowed in the photo.  Driver’s Licenses are NOT accepted in lieu of ID Cards.  

The referee will check all players before the game has started.  Any late arriving players may check in at half time with the referee.  After half time, newly arriving players are not eligible to play and would be considered as an illegal player. The referee has the right to request a second piece of identification to confirm the identity on the ID card.

SUMMER - All players will be required to show Photo ID (Drivers License or Passport only) in order to be eligible to play after the 3rd game. The referee has the right to request ID at the field to verify eligible players.  Any late arriving players may check in at half time with the referee.  After half time, newly arriving players are not eligible to play and would be considered as an illegal player.

A player can only be replaced if he moves to another AMSL team (no replacement for injury, quitting the team when not playing for another AMSL team, etc).

Should a team exceed its 25 player limit, it will have been deemed to have used an ineligible player and will forfeit the game. Any team caught playing an ineligible player will be fined $100 and forfeit that game. Any team caught using an ineligible player twice will be suspended for the rest of the season.  It is up to the team managers to ensure their rosters are in order.  Teams will be contacted by the league statistician and notified of any offenses.

Clubs with a 1st division team and an identified 2nd division affiliate team may transfer players between the two teams freely until December 31st.  The 1st division team must identify 14 players that will not play for both teams after the 3rd game of the season.  A player can only play one game per day.  Teams with an affiliate club must notify the Board of such affiliation no later than September 1st.

11.2      Transfer Window

WINTER ONLY - During the two-week winter break, it is possible to transfer a player or “buy out” (drop) a player from your roster.  If the player has played since the 4th game of the season, there is a $10 fee for dropping them.  You may add new players to fill your roster with no penalty (remember your maximum roster is still only 25 players). New players are required to play in a minimum of 6 games to be eligible for the playoffs.

WINTER - No players may be added to your team roster after Dec. 31 regardless of roster space. 

SUMMER - No players may be added to your team roster after May 30th regardless of roster space.     

          11.3 Premier Player

A Premier Player is defined as being registered to play in the Premier division in either the Vancouver Metro League or the FVSL during the current or last fall/winter season if the fall season has ended.    

A team is allowed 1 Premier Division Player per team. Once that player has played one scheduled game he cannot be replaced by another premier player for the remainder of the season. This player must be identified on your team lists every game.

          11.4 Player Eligibility

A player must have played a minimum of 6 league games Winter Season/4 league games Summer Season to be eligible for the playoffs.  A player who switches teams must have played a minimum of 4 games with his new team and 6 league games (Winter) in total to be eligible for playoffs. A player may only switch teams once during the season. A player under league suspension carries that suspension with him to the new team, same with yellow/red card accumulations. No player may switch teams after Dec. 31st in Winter and May 30th in Summer. League may decide if an injured player can qualify to play in the playoffs when he did not play the minimum # of league games during the regular season.

Players from a folding team during the season can register with another team any time if it is prior to the transfer deadline and the team has space on their roster to allow for it. The stats from the folding team will be completely removed from the standings.                                                               

 

12. TEAM LISTS TO THE LEAGUE

Teams must use the team list form provided by the league.  Failure to use the form provided by the league will result in a $50 fine for the first offence and a $100 fine for subsequent offences. There will also be no recognition of stats which will affect your player's eligibility for playoffs.

Weekly rosters must remain in the same order from week to week (Players who are not playing on any given week should have their names clearly crossed out on the form).

Each team must fill out two identical team lists then give them to the referee who will give one to the opposing team and send the other to the league statistician.

Rosters should be cleaned up after the 3rd league game to ensure players no longer playing for your team are not counted against your roster.                                

 

13.  TEAM INFORMATION

  13.1a   Team Uniforms

Every player on a given team must wear the same color jersey, and must clearly display a number on the back of the jersey at all times that is unique to that player. (No duplicate numbers allowed)  Sharing of the same jersey is not allowed and only one number per player is allowed. Each number must match with team roster list submitted to the referee.

   13.1b Alternate Uniforms

If a home team needs to change to alternate jerseys due to a color conflict, the numbering requirement remains, but matching colors will he waived by the league in the case where the team does not have enough of the same color alternate jerseys. Under no circumstances can the home team wear any one jersey color similar to that of the opposing team. If a team wishes to use unnumbered pinnies’ it must wear them over top of a numbered jersey. Any team that fails to comply will be given a $50 fine for their first offense.  A $100 fine will be given for any subsequent offences.

Suggestion: If the home team is aware that the opposing team has a full and proper alternate set it may consider contacting the team and asking if they would consider using their alternates. Be aware that the opposing team is under no obligation to comply. In the event of a protest (see 8.4), it is the responsibility of the protesting team to inform the Referee of the infractions, so as to have him include it in his report.   

       13.2 Visiting Team

The visiting team must assemble on the opposite side of the field from the home team and use this side as their "bench" during the game.

The home team's bench at Bateman or any other venue is the side closest to the road that goes through the park.  At Swensson Park, it is the side with the baseball diamond and dug outs.

Under no circumstances teams are allowed to share the same sidelines at any of the fields.

       13.3 Home Team

It is the responsibility of the home team to check the uniform color of their opponent. If the color is the same or similar, the home team must be prepared to play the game with an alternate uniform that comply with 13.1 above.

        13.4 Leg braces and other corrective equipment

Braces/equipment and jewelry worn by a player must be fully covered/padded to avoid injuring another player if contact is made during the game. Failure to have this equipment covered to the referee’s satisfaction will result in that player being removed from the field of play until the equipment is properly protected.

 

14.  REFEREES

14.1 Referee's Uniform

Where the referee uniform is the same or close to the same color as a team's uniform, the referee shall change the color of his uniform.

14.2 Referee Removal

If a referee is dismissed from the league, the Board has the option to review previous game reports involving yellow and red cards and, at their discretion, they may choose to reduce or eliminate any cards that were issued by that referee.

14.3 Referee's Fees

Each team must pay the referee prior to the start of the game. Team lists must be given to the referee prior to the kickoff for the second half. Failure to pay the referee will result in an automatic forfeit and a $200 fine will be levied against the team (includes the referee fee).

 

15. OTHER

15.1 Alcohol at Fields

There is a zero, tolerance policy in place by the AMSL. Teams bringing alcohol to the field risk not only being charged by the police, but place the league use of the fields in jeopardy. This applies to all the fields used by AMSL.

15.2 Age Requirement

Minimum age requirement is 18 years. Parental waiver and board approval is required for anyone younger than this to play in this league.

15.3 Fines

Payment of fines levied must be made within 1 week. Failure to make payment will result in forfeiture of games moving forward.

15.4 Board Discretion

While care has been taken to ensure our bylaws cover most of what could occur during any given season, there are always exceptions to the rules. Due to this, discretion remains with the Board to make decisions they see fit when posed with an extraordinary situation.

15.5 Communication  

All league communication is to be done through email: abbymslboard@gmail.com

            15.6 Website:       abbymsl.com