Puget Sound Premier League(PSPL) Rules

Puget Sound Premier League(PSPL) Rules

NOTE: These rules are updated 08/01/2020 and in effect for 2020-2021 league play for ALL PSPL and PSRL leagues unless superseded.

Change Log:

Version

Rules affected

Brief Description

08/01/2020

Rule 101 Board

Added definition of PSPL 

08/01/2020

Rule 210 Scheduling

Added clarity to scheduling

08/01/2020

Rule 301 Eligibility

Added clarity defining teams

08/01/2020

Rule 302 Player Pass

Added clarity to WNPL rostered "play ups" use of "player pass"

08/01/2020

Rule 304 Personnel in Technical Area

Added clarity to define who can be in the Technical Area

Quick Links to Key Rules

Puget Sound Recreational League (PSRL) specific Rules

Rule 207 Playing Venue & Match lengths

Rule 210 Scheduling

Rule 302 Player Pass

Rule 530 Game-Suspension Procedures

Miscellaneous Reporting Forms 

General Governance

Rule 101--Board

The League’s board is governed by the Puget Sound Premier League bylaws. Puget Sound Premier League is identified as PSPL, All leagues and divisions are governed under the PSPL banner. 

Rule 102 --Territories

No club has exclusive territory rights in the PSPL/PSRL

Rule 103 -- Conditions for Removal of a Team or Club

Violation of performance conditions set forth by the league may lead to removal of a team or club from the PSPL/PSRL.

Rule 104 -- Conditions for Competition in Leagues

Following each season, the competition committee shall review the compliance record of each team in their specific division. The committee may find that compliance with the standards is insufficient and recommend action to the league office. In extreme cases of repeated non-compliance the respective executive committee may recommend the removal of the team or club in question.

Rule 105 -- Conditions for Team Acceptance into League

Any club in good standing with US Club Soccer may apply for acceptance into our current leagues. Priority will be given to teams that are part of clubs that commit most of their teams to participate in PSPL & PSRL leagues. Please note that each league may have additional requirements. Please check the specific league descriptions and standards on our website for additional information. Team  placement is based on competition and location.

Rule 106 – Requirements for returning WNPL teams

To retain status as a WNPL team from season to season the team must retain 9 players from their previous season roster (for 11 aside teams only)

League Structure

Rule 201 -- Governance

All competition in the PSPL & PSRL are governed by regulations approved by the league office.

Rule 202 -- Division Formations and League Standards

Competitive divisions will be structured according to the competitive level of teams as determined by the Competition Committee, which has final authority on all placement issues. Should the PSPL & PSRL determine that there are an insufficient number of teams to constitute an age group division the teams affected may be allowed to temporarily or partially compete in a different division of play.  All WNPL teams must follow special league standards/policies (found under “League Resources” )

Rule 203 -- Playing Rules

All games under league jurisdiction shall be played according to the rules and regulations recognized by the PSPL which shall be the same rules set by FIFA/ U.S. Soccer (USSF) except for those modifications authorized by the PSPL, PSRL, FIFA or USSF.

Rule 204 -- Playing Season

The “League” is designated by the PSPL & PSRL for the season in which the league is played. Example, Spring, Summer, Fall or Winter, but shall not be limited or restricted to a season.

All league matches must be played on or by the last day matches are scheduled by the league for the current season. No matches will be played after that date unless approved by the League. If prior to the original scheduled match date, teams are not able agree to a reschedule, the league office must be notified to arbitrate, or the match is played as originally scheduled.

Any matches not played by the last day of the league season may be scored as a loss for both teams and a minimum fine of $1000 assessed to both teams. Please contact the league immediately if a scheduling issue arises that cannot be resolved. If fines are assessed, Clubs have 10 days to pay the fine. Clubs will not be able to register teams for Cup or League play until the fine is paid.

Note: At League registration: all WNPL teams are required to pre-register to play in Washington Cup (end of the season State Championship tournament).

Rule 205 -- Point System

The PSPL & PSRL shall operate under a point system. The point system shall award three points for a win, one point for a tie and no points for a loss.

In the event where an unequal number of matches have been played by teams within a division due to a schedule change driven by the league, the final standings will be determined by average points per match played. .

Forfeits will be scored by the League office as 1-0. (see Rule 307A)

For Developmental Leagues & Recreational Leagues match scores will be listed with a maximum 5 goal difference between teams in addition to tiebreakers. All forfeits must be reported to the league and will be scored by league as 1-0 FT. (see Rule 307A)

Tiebreakers:

· Head-to-head Points (win/lose/draw) between teams

· Head-to-head Total goal differential of each team

· Goals Against

· Goals For (up to 5 per game)

· In the event all tiebreakers are equal, the winner shall be decided by coin toss.

· If 3 or more teams are tied, the tiebreaker criteria listed will be used in order above to first eliminate or second promote one team. Teams remaining will then be compared again starting with first tiebreaker.

Goals will be capped at 5 for the determination of tiebreakers in all leagues.

For Developmental League & Recreational League match scores will be listed with a maximum 5 goal difference between teams in addition to tiebreakers

Rule 206 -- League Standings

Official standings of teams, which is the responsibility of the league office, are tabulated on a regular basis, and displayed on the Puget Sound Premier League website. For score reporting see Rule 306

Rule 207 -- Playing Venue, Match Lengths, USSF Mandates

The playing field used by each team must be lined according to FIFA standards with goals nets and flags. Teams in WNPL and Super league may have additional expectations per standards set for teams in those divisions (see WNPL Overview).

Home teams are responsible for marking the field of play, providing an adequate game ball (modified as follows):

Age1

Format

Match Duration

Ball Size

Field Size Mandate width x length

Field Size Range  width x length

Goal Size (height x width)

7U#

4v4

4 x 10 min quarters, 3 min breaks

3

20 yds x 30 yds

15-25 yds wide x 25 35 yds long

4' x 6'
Pugg Style goal

8U#

4v4

4 x 10 min quarters, 3 min breaks

3

20 yds x 30 yds

15-25 yds wide x 25 35 yds long

4' x 6'
Pugg Style goal

9U#

7v7

2 x 25 min halves, 5 min halftime

4

40 yds x 60 yds

35-45 yds wide to 55-65 yds long

6’.6” x 18’.6” ideal  6' x 18' and portable style acceptable2

10U#

7v7

2 x 25 min halves, 5 min halftime

4

40 yds x 60 yds

35-45 yds wide to 55-65 yds long

6’.6” x 18’.6” ideal  6' x 18' and portable style acceptable2

11U#

9v9

2 x 30 min halves, 5 min halftime

4

50 yds x 75 yds

45-55 yds wide to 70-80 yds long

7 x 21' ideal  6’.6” x 18’.6” and  portable style acceptable2

12U#

9v9

2 x 30 min halves, 5 min halftime

4

50 yds x 75 yds

45-55 yds wide to 70-80 yds long

7 x 21' ideal  6’.6” x 18’.6” and  portable style acceptable2

13U#

11v11

2 x 35 min halves, 5 min halftime

5

75 yds x 112 yds

60-80 yds wide to 100- 130 yds long

8' x 24'

14U

11V11

2 x 35 min halves, 5 min halftime

5

75 yds x 112 yds

60-80 yds wide to 100- 130 yds long

8' x 24'

15U

11V11

2 x 40 min halves, 5 min halftime

5

75 yds x 112 yds

60-80 yds wide to 100- 130 yds long

8' x24'

16U

11V11

2 x 40 min halves, 5 min halftime

5

75 yds x 112 yds

60-80 yds wide to 100- 130 yds long

8'x 24'

17U

11V11

2 x 45 min halves, 5 min halftime

5

75 yds x 112 yds

60-80 yds wide to 100- 130 yds long

8' x 24'

18U

11V11

2 x 45 min halves, 5 min halftime

5

75 yds x 112 yds

60-80 yds wide to 100- 130 yds long

8'x 24'

19U

11V11

2 x 45 min halves, 5 min halftime

5

75 yds x 112 yds

60-80 yds wide to 100- 130 yds long

8' x 24'

1Refer to  PSPL current Birth year Chart

2BowNet, style goals are allowed at 7v7(9U/10U) and 9v9 (11U/12U) for all leagues except WNPL, and Super League

SKLZ # USSF Heading Mandate - All PSPL and PSRL leagues have adopted the USSF Heading mandates.   For 11U and under leagues players may NOT engage in heading in either matches or practices.  Limited heading in practice for players in 12U and 13U ages of 30 min maximum per week. 

Rule 208 Heading Match Rule

Referees are instructed for all 11U and under matches to apply the following rule:

When a player deliberately heads the ball in a match, an indirect free kick (IFK) will be awarded to the opposing team from the spot of the offense. If the deliberate header occurs within the goal area, the indirect free kick should be taken on the goal area line parallel to the goal line at the point nearest to where the infringement occurred.

A. No Re-Entry Protocol (for Head Injury)

In accordance with the US Soccer return to play guidelines, any player removed from the field for a suspected head injury will not be allowed to return to the field of play unless cleared by a Healthcare Professional.

B. Health Care Professional

A health care professional is defined as “a licensed healthcare professional such as an athletic trainer certified (ATC), or a physician (MD/DO), with a skill set in emergency care and sports medicine injuries and with knowledge and experience related to concussion evaluation and management.”  It will be up to each club to decide whether they will provide a healthcare professional at their matches, and to ensure that this individual has the correct certification to be evaluating players for head trauma. If a club plans to use a healthcare professional to evaluate suspected head injuries during a PSPL/PSRL match, the healthcare professional must be presented to the referee prior to the start of the match.  Referees will not allow the re-entry of players removed from the field of play for suspected head injuries unless they are informed of the presence of, and meet with, a healthcare professional prior to the start of the match.

Rule 209 -- Rosters

· All teams may list up to 26 players on their US Club Official Roster.

· Players can be only rostered to one team that is affiliated with US Club Soccer and the PSPL/PSRL. 

· As a requirement to register a valid team for a PSPL league, each team must follow the minimum roster sizes listed below (exception for 15U and provide their Official US Club team roster to the league office approximately 20 days before the start of league play.

· For match days, the PSPL Match Day Roster sheet has limits to the number of players that can be listed. See below:

Roster Size Chart

 

Number of Players

Age

Min. to register team

Game Day Roster max.

7U/8U

5

8

9U/10U

8

14

11U/12U

10

16

13U/20U

13

18

15U trapped

11

18

 

Note: The US Club Official Roster is printed from the US Club team page and the PSPL Match Day Roster sheet can be found in the Team Manager’s Handbook on our  PSPL website.

Rule 210 -- Scheduling

A. League Schedules and scheduling requests prior to a season beginning

Scheduling has become a major issue each season. The commitment to play matches when scheduled is a priority since most areas, field availability is limited. All matches scheduled by the PSPL are expected to be played on the scheduled date. By rule, teams are not obligated to agree to reschedule matches.

· Schedule requests must be submitted via the schedule request web form  by the registration deadline for the specific league. Schedule requests must be limited to no more than 2 requests (see form).

· The Schedulers will do their best to honor scheduling requests submitted by the deadline but cannot guarantee that all requests will be honored.  Please prioritize your requests.

· All matches scheduled by the PSPL are expected to be played on the scheduled date.

· In the event the posted schedule cannot be met, please refer to Rule 211.

· Teams unwilling or unable to attend a match will forfeit points for the unattended match.  Please see Rule 307A for more information on forfeits.

· The league will schedule certain “black-out” dates to allow players to attend PSPL sanctioned events and trainings.

· The PSPL Dev. leagues (9U – 10U) will be scheduled through the PSPL office. Teams will play on Saturday and/or Sunday based on field availability across multiple locations.

B. Team Scheduling (times and locations)

· Please post match time and location as soon as known as a courtesy to all impacted.

· The home team manager is responsible for posting the time and location of the match no later than 72 hours prior to the game. For teams traveling either direction over the Cascade mountain passes, the match time and location must be posted no later than 6:00pm on the Sunday prior to the scheduled date.

· Posted contact information for both Coach and manager must be kept current on the PSPL team site. It is the responsibility of the home team to inform the visiting team of any changes that may occur.

  • Please see Rule 210 Section C. for specific rules on scheduling double headers.
  • When matches are cancelled for weather related or field issues which may cause limited availability of fields, the match time restrictions in this section may be superseded. The league must be informed of all of the situations in this section prior to rescheduling these matches.
  • For teams traveling three hours or more, matches should not be scheduled earlier than 11 am or after 5pm unless agreed in writing by the visiting team.
  • For teams that have 2 to 3 hours of travel, matches should not be scheduled earlier than 10 am or after 6pm unless approved in writing by the visiting team.
  • For all local matches (60 miles or less) scheduled outside of the PSPL Development League, it is the expectation that matches will not be scheduled earlier than 9 am on Saturdays or 10 am on Sundays unless agreed in writing to by the visiting team.

· If field and/or times are changed (because of unplayable field situations), the home team is responsible to contact the opposing team and the league office as soon as possible.

C. Double-header Schedules (league specified)

· When one team travels across the state (over the Cascades) and is playing two away matches, the home teams must schedule these matches within the following time frame: a late Saturday afternoon beginning no earlier than 1 p.m. and an early morning Sunday start, kicking off between 9 am and noon. These times can be adjusted if the traveling team agrees (in writing).

· The league office reserves the right to approve the double-header schedules if disputes between both parties arise. Please be forewarned: to maximize the competition and minimize travel, there will be very little flexibility for home teams hosting traveling teams, particularly traveling across state. This applies mainly to WNPL and Super league teams. It may apply to Classic Division, if appropriate. 

D. Developmental League specific

· For the PSPL Development League, matches will be scheduled and posted by the league scheduler for ALL matches.

· The league will assign the referees for all Developmental League matches.

· Due to field availability constraints, rescheduling of Western Developmental League matches is not allowed.

Rule 211 -- Rescheduling Matches

· The league schedule is intended to be played as posted.

·  Matches can be rescheduled without the approval of the league, unless it involves a double header weekend (see Rule 210C). Additionally, Rule 204 may apply. Clubs may incur fines and forfeits if the matches are not played.

· Once schedules are published, matches may not be moved to a different date/time without the express written approval of the opponent.  Any changes to the published schedule must be finalized and completed at least 2 weeks prior to the original scheduled date of the match. Any reschedule negotiations not agreed upon prior to the 2-week window will cause the match to be played on its originally scheduled date.

· If prior to the original scheduled match date, teams are not able agree to a reschedule, the league office must be notified to arbitrate, or the match is played as originally scheduled.

· All charges related to fields and Referees are borne by the home team unless alternate arrangements have been made with visiting team.

· In the event the match is not played for any other reason not addressed in the rules, the league must be notified within 24 hours by the home team. The PSPL will decide regarding the disposition of the match.

Rule 212 -- Uniforms

All teams should post their jersey colors on their team page or contact the visiting team no less than 48 hours prior to the match to confirm jersey colors.  In the event of a jersey color conflict, the home team is required to change to an alternate color. Every player must have a unique number on their jersey. A minimum size of 6” tall on the back of the jersey. 

For WNPL teams only, taping or altering of jersey numbers is prohibited.  Players without a proper jersey will not be allowed to play. 

Registration and Game Day Procedures

Rule 300-- Team Management Requirements

· When registering, each team must list a team manager and supply contact information including a current email address and phone number. The listed phone and email must be checked daily and be updated on the event of a change.

· The team manager and/or head coach are responsible for responding to all communications regarding teams, league business, reporting scores and all communications with the appropriate league officials. All teams must have access to email, and a telephone number connected to a 24 hour answering system during the season. All teams are responsible for maintaining their contact information on their PSPL team page.

Rule 301-- Eligibility

Official US Club Rosters and Player cards

A. Players, coaches and managers shall be registered according to US Club rules.

B. A copy of the US Club Official roster must be e-mailed to the league office 20 days before the start of league play. There is no limit to the number of changes made to the roster provided the players are registered to the club.  All players must be listed with complete information including jersey number. Changes may be made to the roster during the season, but an updated roster must be e-mailed to the office prior to the player playing in any games. Players not listed on the roster most currently held at the PSPL league office, are considered illegal and will constitute a forfeit for the team that has not e-mailed an updated roster. This procedure must be done by 6pm the Friday before the scheduled game the player(s) in question would play in.

C. All players and coaches must present their valid US Club Player/Coach Identification Card to the referee prior to the match. The individual’s picture must be on the ID card and the card must be laminated.  Club officials (Coaches, managers, DOC’s) are required to visibly display their card on a lanyard while in the technical area (max. of 3 team officials in area).

· The individual will not be eligible for the match if the ID card is not valid. No exceptions. Players must be printed on the US Club Official Roster with correct jersey numbers listed. If for any reason jersey numbers are incorrect, team manager/coach must inform the other team prior to the start of the match. Failure to do so will result in a minimum $100 fine assessed to the offending Club.

· No handwritten players are allowed on the official US Club Roster. The player must be assigned to the Club and be listed on the PSPL Match Day Roster Sheet. Players may be handwritten (must be legible) on the PSPL Match Day Roster Sheet and match those players on the official US Club Roster.  All Match Day Roster Sheets must be completely filled out.

· 3 copies of PSPL Match Day Roster Sheet must be presented to the referee prior to the game. A fourth copy of PSPL Match Day Roster Sheet and one copy of the team’s US Club Official Roster(s) must be provided to the opposing team prior to the game. It is the responsibility of each team to ask for this documentation. If neither team asks for the documentation prior to the start of the match, no violation report may be submitted.

· If prior to the start of the match a team has been requested but is not able to provide US Club Official Roster(s) and Match Day Roster Sheet, it may be grounds for forfeiture and/or further sanctions.

D. Any player that does not appear on the US Club Official roster shall be considered an illegal player. Any team using an illegal player shall forfeit matches in which the illegal player participated in. In addition, the guilty team may forfeit an additional three points in the standings.  A fine of up to $1000 may also be assessed against the Team/Club using illegal players. Any team found using illegal players may be expelled from the league.

E. Players may only play for one US Club Soccer Club during any league season. Guest players are not allowed in league play. (A Guest player is any player not currently rostered to your club)

F.  All Leagues from 9U through 20U are defined as either boys’ or girls’ leagues.   Teams listed as Girls' teams are comprised of all females. All other teams are defined and listed as Boys' teams.

G. Players may change clubs at any point in the season as long as they adhere to the PSPL and US Club transfer policies. Players requesting transfer between clubs must complete the following prior to be eligible to play:

· Serve a seven-day waiting period from the time an updated league roster is received by the League Office showing the player has a valid US Club player card from his/her new Club.

· Have their US Club Player Card released from former club or is approved by the Competition Committee.

· Have met all financial obligations agreed to with their former Club.

H. All players registered with a Club participating in the PSPL shall receive a US Club Soccer Clayer ID card which shall allow a player to play on any team within that club with the following exceptions:

· Players can play-up or play at their age.

· Players must adhere to Rule 302 “Player Pass”

Please note:

· Younger players can play up in age if the club determines they are capable. To be eligible to play, players must be printed on either the US Club Official roster for that team or another team’s US Club Official roster within the club. Players can only be rostered on one US Club Soccer team. Any players within the club handwritten on the US Club Official roster are not eligible to play. Eligibility is determined by the player’s name being printed on a US Club Official roster from that club along with the player's valid id # displayed on the US Club roster.

· Players rostered to a club's Recreational team may “player pass” to any "on age team" or may "play up" at any age level as long as they have been rostered and carded to that team! Their primary team of record will be their Rec team and must be noted as such on the competitive team roster that is submitted to the league office.

· Teams/Clubs violating this rule will be put on notice by the league and may face sanctions, fines and possibly expulsion from the league.

· Exceptions to Age and Gender rules may be considered. Please see the "Exception Form" on PSPL website.

Rule 302 - Player Pass

The intent of the "player pass" rule is to provide a tool for coaches to give players an opportunity to play at a level that is developmentally appropriate for the player and to provide a way of getting more minutes for players needing them. The "player pass" is not to be used unethically.

· Each team may use the “player pass” for a limit of 4 players in a single match. These players must be "checked" on the Match Day Roster Sheet along with providing copies of the Official US Club team roster(s) these players are rostered to.

· Violation of the "Player Pass" rule will constitute one or all the following: fines, forfeitures, suspension of the offended coach and sanctions against the Club involved.

“Player Pass” Restrictions

All "on age" rostered WNPL and Super League players are only eligible to be “player passed” on age to Super League or WNPL divisions. All eligible WNPL players may “player pass up” to the next older age in all affiliated PSPL leagues except Copa and the PSRL. Additionally, these aforementioned players may also "player pass" up on teams 2 years or older at any PSPL level. PSRL is excluded.

· WNPL and Super League Players that are rostered “play up” (playing on older age group team) may NOT play “on age” at any level of play. They are treated as being "on age" to the age group the are rostered "play up" to. Example: Player A is rostered to a 13U WNPL team, but by birth age is actuually a 12U player. By Rule, Player A is considered a 13U WNPL player.  Player A may only play 13U WNPL, 14U Classic, 14U WNPL  or any 2 years older or more PSPL division.

· Players rostered to a club’s Recreational team may “player pass” to their  "on age" or older age group. They must be rostered and carded to the PSPL team. Their primary team of record will be their Rec team and must be noted as such on the PSPL's US Club Official Roster  which must be on file at the league office before the Rec player can play in the PSPL.

· All Classic and Copa division players are unrestricted beyond adhering to age, gender, and player pass limit requirements.

· There is no player pass restrictions for the PSPL Development leagues.

Refer to chart below for summary of Player Pass eligibility:

                                                                           Player Pass Restrictions matrix

Player Rostered To Team

                Allowed to Play at following levels ON Age in own Club:

Division Level

Age Level

WNPL

Superleague

Div. 1 (10U)

Classic 1

Classic 2

Copa

Rec.

WNPL Superleague

birth year

yes

yes

N/A

no

no

no

no

WNPL Superleague

play up

yes

yes

yes

no

no

no

no

Dev league (9U ,10U)

birth year

yes

yes

yes

yes

yes

yes

yes

Dev league (9U ,10U)

play up

yes

yes

yes

yes

yes

yes

yes

Classic 1, 2, 3…

birth year

yes

yes

yes

yes

yes

yes

yes

Classic 1, 2, 3…

play up

yes

yes

yes

yes

yes

yes

yes

Copa

birth year

yes

yes

yes

yes

yes

yes

yes

Copa

play up

yes

yes

yes

yes

yes

yes

yes

Recreational (REC)

birth year

yes

yes

yes

yes

yes

yes

yes

Recreational (REC)

play up

yes

yes

yes

yes

yes

yes

yes

Rule 303 -- Substitutions

Free substitutions will be allowed in all age groups. Teams may substitute with the referee’s permission at on any stoppage. Player substitutions and re-entry are unlimited.

Rule 304 -- Personnel in Technical Area

· ALL non-playing personnel (injured or staff) in the technical area MUST have a current US Club ID card present at the field.  Team or Club Officials are required to visibly display their card on a lanyard and are limited to 3 in the technical area at any given time during the game.

· Only uniformed players (and valid “player pass” players) listed on the team's US Club Official roster(s) and PSPL Match Day Roster sheet are allowed in the Technical area during a match and only players eligible and listed on Match Day Roster sheet maybe in uniform. Players listed on the Team’s US Club Roster but not in uniform (in street clothes) can be on the bench during the match.

Rule 305 -- PSPL Match Day Roster Sheet

· Each team is required to provide the referee, a minimum of 2 copies of the PSPL Match Day Roster sheet. (The league recommends providing 3 copies).

· Managers must have available to present for each game, printed US Club Official roster(s) with ALL players listed.

· Prior to start of the match, each team must provide a copy of the US Club Official roster, and one copy of their completed Match Day Roster sheet to the opposing team. If a team is not able to produce the US Club Official Roster, the match shall be played with potential for forfeiture and/or a fine. It is the responsibility of each team to ask for this documentation prior to the start of the match. If neither team asks for the documentation, there is no recourse after the match has begun.. A Violation Report will not accepted for this potential infraction if the match has begun prior to a request for documentation.

· “Player pass” players must be "checked" in the box provided on the PSPL Match Day Roster Sheet and should be highlighted on their US Club Official Roster.

The PSPL Match Day Roster Sheet can be downloaded from the Puget Sound Premier League web site, located at http://psplsoccer.com/forms. Please use the updated version of the PSPL Match Day Roster Sheet. At the end of the match, the referee should deliver signed copies of the Match Day Roster sheets to each team. A visitors copy and a home team copy. These signed documents shall serve as the Official Match Day Report and must be retained as a record through the completion of league play.

Rule 306 -- Official Score Report

The match score as reported on the Match Day Rostr sheet shall be recorded on the PSPL web site after each match by the winning team. Ties are to be reported by both teams. Both teams should keep Match Day Roster Sheets for future possible reference.  For the PSRL match scores are capped by the system to reflect a 5-goal differential.

Rule 307 – Team “No-Shows”

Matches must start no later than 10 minutes from the posted start time on the PSPL website. Teams must start the match with the required minimum number of players for that age group.

· For 7U & 8U teams, a minimum of 3 players must be on the field to start and end  of the match.

· 9U and 10U teams, a minimum of 5 players must be on the field to start and end of the match.

· 11U and 12U a minimum of 6 players must be on the field to start and end of the match.

· 13U and above, a minimum of 7 players must be on the field at the start and the end of the match or the match may be deemed a forfeit. Matches not starting by the time the “grace period” has ended will be deemed a forfeit with the exception detailed below:

If a team or referee has communicated to the opposing team that they are on route, and there is a field time restriction, the clock will be started at the end of grace period. Matches must start no later than 30 minutes from the scheduled start regardless of the situation.

Rule 307A -- Forfeits

Forfeited Matches will result in a 1-0 loss for the team forfeiting the match.  These matches must be reported to the league office who will determine if forfeit was warranted.  Additionally, aTeam/Club that forfeit a match may be levied up to $1000 fine and possible removal from further league play for a period determined by the League office. The team causing the match forfeit will be responsible for all field and referee costs incurred by the home team. The League also reserves right to impose other penalties if it is deemed necessary. See Rule 210 Scheduling for travel league specific requirements and penalties.

Rule 308 -- Incomplete Games

In the event a match cannot be completed, the match counts as completed if at least the first half of the match was completed. If the match is suspended prior to the expiration of the 1st half, the match shall be replayed at a time agreed upon by the competing teams. An agreement must be made within 5 days of the date that the incomplete match was played. In the event the teams cannot agree, the league office will reschedule the match.

Rule 308A – Match Abandonment

Any match that has been abandoned by the Referee for issues outside of an “act of God” will result in a forfeit and fine imposed upon the team causing the abandonment. The League office must be informed immediately and will determine whether score stands or forfeit and/or a fine is assessed.

Rule 309 -- Sideline Etiquette

If field space allows, coaches and players will be on the same sideline opposite spectators. Coaches are responsible for the behavior of their parents/sideline.  Spectators are expected to behave appropriately and respectfully at all times during the match. Unruly or irresponsible behavior identified by a referee will lead to one or more of the following: expulsion of the Teams’ coach, a team’s forfeit of points, a monetary fine and/or forfieture of the game. If the league receives reports of unsportsmanlike conduct from any spectators on a sideline, the League reserves the right to fine the club or take further action as necessary.

Game Officials

Rule 400 -- Match officials

The match officials are assigned by contracted referee assignors. Officials are to be USSF certified for the current calendar year. Use of non-certified referees in anything other than a "no show" situation may be considered a forfeit by the home team and subject to a $1000 fine from the league for each occurrence.

Clubs must report and post their Referee Assignor contact information in the Club DirectoryFailure to utilize contracted referee assignors and certified referees will result in club sanctions and/or fines.

For PSPL Dev league 9U & 10U and PSRL 12U and below only a center referee is required.   For all other leagues and levels, the expectation is 3 officials will be assigned to each match. 

Note:  If a full crew is not available matches will still stand if a single certified referee is available. 

Rule 401 – No show of Officials

Failure of a match official to appear will not constitute canceling of a match. If both teams can agree on a substitute, coaches must sign the Match Day Roster sheet prior to the start of the match. Neither team may protest the outcome of the match. If a coach feels that playing the match without a licensed referee is a safety issue for the players, then both teams must work to reschedule the match (Refer to Rule 211 for reschedules). It is the responsibility of the home team to reschedule the match at a time agreed to with the visiting team and bear the costs associated with hosting the match. If the team cannot find a time the league office will assist.

In cases where the Officials are a “no show” and teams cannot agree to play, the league must be notified within 24 hours of the scheduled match. The match will be rescheduled at the traveling team’s venue with the fees incurred to play the match paid by the original home team. The match will be scheduled by the league if the teams cannot agree on a date within 6 days of the originally scheduled match day.

Rule 500 -- League Discipline

A. Red Cards

A player sendoff (red card) will result in a minimum of a one (1) match suspension. A send off as a result of two cautions will result in the player being suspended for the next match. If a player is sent off during the weekend, they may not play the remainder of the weekend. Matches sat out that weekend count against the suspension, if noted on the Match Day Roster sheet. Any team using suspended players will be disciplined as they were illegal players. The League office must be notified of any sendoffs within 24 hours by the offending team's player. For more information on Red cards, see Rule 530.

Coaches and/or Club Officials that have been ejected from a match may be subject to additional disciplinary action as determined by the league office. At minimum, the coach/club official will receive a two-week suspension. All team expulsions apply to ALL teams that a coach or team official is associated with.

B. Appeals / Hearings

No Appeals of league discipline will be consideredSee Rule 530 for procedures.  A coach, club or league official has a right to a hearing within 30 days, if the suspension is more than 5 weeks. Coaches are not to be present on the sideline or at the field during the time of their suspension, nor anywhere near the field. If a coach is ejected more than twice in one season, or found to be present on the sidelines during the suspension, the club will be fined up to $1000 and the offending team will lose points.

Rule 501 - Assault or Abuse of Participants

A. When any person shall assault or abuse a participant (as defined by B) below) within PSPL the matter shall be brought directly before the PSPL Discipline Committee. (Note that assault or abuse of a referee by a player, coach, manager, club official or match official is subject to the jurisdiction of the PSPL Discipline Committee under the specific definitions and procedures of USSF Policy 531-9 -- Misconduct toward Game Officials.) Nothing herein shall prevent a referee from carding a player or cautioning/ejecting a participant, or from the PSPL Disciplinary Committee imposing sanctions against a participant under its rules, even if the incident involved assault or abuse.

B. A participant, for the purposes of this specific rule, shall be defined as a registered player, the parent, relative or guardian of a registered player, a coach, assistant coach, trainer or team manager, a spectator, an officer of a Club, Association, or member of the Board of Directors of PSPL, Association, referee, and any other person required to have Risk Management acceptance.

C. (1) (i) Assault is an intentional act of physical violence at or upon an individual.

(ii)For purposes of this specific rule, “intentional act” shall mean an act intended to bring about a result which will invade the interests of another individual in a way that is socially unacceptable.

(iii) Outside of practice and match activity, a “socially unacceptable” act includes (but is not limited to) touching which the victim considers invasion of personal space or makes the victim feel uncomfortable or threatened. Unintended consequences of the act are irrelevant.

(iv) During practice or matches, “socially unacceptable” acts include violent acts during games and practices which exceed all reasonably acceptable sporting behavior.

(2) Assault includes, but is not limited to the following acts committed upon an individual: hitting, kicking, punching, choking, spitting on, grabbing or bodily running into an individual; head butting; the act of kicking or throwing any object at an individual that could inflict injury; damaging an individual’s clothing or personal property, i.e. car, equipment, etc.

D. (1) Abuse is a verbal statement or physical act not resulting in bodily contact which implies or threatens physical harm to an individual or their personal property.

(2) Abuse includes, but is not limited to the following acts committed upon an individual: using foul or abusive language toward an individual that implies or threatens physical harm; spewing any beverage on an individual’s personal property; spitting at (but not on) an individual; or verbally threatening an individual.

(3) Abuse shall include, but not be limited to, racial, ethnic, religious or gender slurs directed at one or more individuals.

(4) Verbal threats are remarks that carry the implied or direct threat of physical harm. Such remarks as “I’ll get you after the match” or “You won’t get out of here in one piece” shall be deemed abuse.

E. (1) Assault or abuse may be grounds for suspension or ban from further participation and membership in PSPL or any affiliated Member Association, club or team. Such authority shall supersede any and all other penalty codes or rules. A temporary suspension will be imposed immediately upon the verification of an allegation of assault or abuse until a hearing is held and the decision is published by the hearing chair. Minimum penalties and periods of suspension shall be as follows:

(i) Except as provided below, for any assault, at least one (1) year from the time of the assault;

(ii) For a minor or slight touching of the individual or their personal property, a minimum of three (3) months;

(iii) For an assault committed by an adult upon an individual seventeen (17) years of age or younger, at least three (3) years;

(iv) For a minor or slight touching committed by an adult upon an individual (17) years of age or younger, at least 6 months/years.

(v) For an assault when serious injuries are inflicted, at least five (5) years.

(vi) In the case of assault, shorter periods may not be provided but, if circumstances warrant, a longer period may be provided (e.g., habitual offenders with two (2) or more incidents of suspension).

(vii) The minimum suspension for abuse shall be three (3) matches. Longer periods may be provided when circumstances warrant (e.g., habitual offenders with two (2) or more incidents of suspension).

Disciplinary regulations

Rule 520 Violating League Rules

The PSPL Disciplinary Committee and the PSPL League Office shall have the authority to suspend, fine, disqualify or otherwise impose sanctions on, players, team officials or competing clubs for violating league rules, the PSPL Ethics policy or for any action or conduct not in the best interest of soccer or the PSPL. For more information on Red cards please see rule 530.

Any breach of PSPL Rules, Ethics or allegations of individual or team misconduct should be reported to the league via the violation report form.   violation report form.  

Rule 521 -- Disciplinary Panel

A panel of individuals from the league office shall conduct the review of disciplinary issues. Such panels will consist of at least one licensed referee official.

Rule 530 -- Game-Suspension Procedures

Team Responsibility - Teams are responsible for ensuring that any of their players (Red Card) or coaches (Expulsion) who have received a Red card or “expulsion” serves the appropriate suspension immediately. The referee who issued the Red card or “expulsion” (of a coach) is required to file their report within 48 hours detailing the infractions leading to the Red card or “expulsion”.

The PSPL Disciplinary Committee will determine the length of the suspension from the referee’s report and the severity of the infraction. Again, the suspension is immediate, and the player or coach is suspended from (at minimum) the next match either the coach or player is involved with regardless or not if the offender receives notification from the PSPL of the suspension. Following any further investigation, the PSPL Disciplinary Committee will indicate if any changes to the length of the suspension were made in the charging letter/e-mail sent to the team/club.

Club officials may submit evidence related to misconducts directly to discipline@pugetsoundpremierleague.com  prior to Wednesday of the week following the match. The discipline committee will consider any evidence and may, at their discretion, determine if a hearing is required. A charging record will be sent to the coach and manager of the team (for player send-offs) and to DOC / club president for Team official expulsions.discipline@pugetsoundpremierleague.com  by Thursday of the week following the match.

Referee Responsibility - All Club referees must provide misconduct report via Ridgestar web reporting to the PSPL. If you do not report through your Referee Association on-line you can directly from the Referee reporting feature. Instructions for electronic reporting are on the PSPL website.

Note: All suspensions are to be served with the team player is officially rostered.

Players may not utilize the "player pass" to;

- play for another team prior to the suspension being served and documentation returned

- document serving their suspension with a team they are not officially rostered.

Coaches’ expulsions are an automatic 2-week suspension with the Disciplinary committee review that could bring additional suspensions.

Please note: for Coaches, the suspension carries over into all PSPL/PSRL age groups and/or Games the coach is coaching. In the case of a coach who coaches multiple teams, if Coach A receives a sendoff for his/her 12U Girls game and Coach A has a game with his/her 15U Boys team – Coach A is unable to coach that match.

Rule 531 –Matters Not Provided For

Any matter not provided for in these Rules shall be decided by the PSPL Competition and Rules Committee Chair and Disciplinary Chair.  All such decisions are final.

Code of Conduct

Do not tarnish the game of soccer, the PSPL, PSRL, US Club Soccer, USSF, your club, your team, yourself, your family.