The I Play For SF league is committed to the safety of all league participants and referees. We strive to provide a fun and competitive environment in a space where players can feel safe and comfortable to enjoy the beautiful game. All reports of harassment, inappropriate behavior, and violent altercations are taken seriously and will be addressed immediately.
On Field Disciplinary Action
Warning
The following offenses result in a warning; repeated or blatant offenses result in a yellow or red card:
Failing to cooperate with a match official e.g. ignoring an instruction/request
Minor/low-level disagreement (by word or action) with a decision
Yellow Card
Yellow card offenses include (but are not limited to):
Delaying the restart of play
Dissent by word or action
Entering, re-entering or deliberately leaving the field of play without the referee’s permission
Failing to respect the required distance when play is restarted with a dropped ball, corner kick, free kick or throw-in
Persistent offenses
Unsporting behavior
Verbal aggression
Where two separate cautionable offenses are committed they should result in two yellows, for example if a player enters the field of play without the required permission and commits a reckless tackle or stops a promising attack with a foul/handball, etc.
Red Card
Red card offenses include (but are not limited to):
Denying the opposing team a goal or an obvious goal-scoring opportunity by a handball offense (except a goalkeeper within their penalty area)
Denying a goal or an obvious goal-scoring opportunity to an opponent whose overall movement is towards the offender's goal by an offense punishable by a free kick (unless as outlined below)
Serious foul play
Biting or spitting at someone
Violent conduct
Repeated verbal aggression
Receiving a second yellow card in the same match
Serious Foul Play
A tackle or challenge that endangers the safety of an opponent or uses excessive force or brutality will be sanctioned as serious foul play.
Any player who lunges at an opponent in challenging for the ball from the front, from the side or from behind using one or both legs, with excessive force or endangers the safety of an opponent is guilty of serious foul play.
Consequences for Serious Foul Play
On field consequences
Red card
Recurring offenses
1st offense: Minimum 1 game suspension
2nd offense: Minimum 3 game suspension
3rd offense: Full season suspension
Violent Conduct
Violent conduct is when a player uses or attempts to use excessive force or brutality against an opponent when not challenging for the ball, or against a team-mate, match official, spectator or any other person, regardless of whether contact is made.
In addition, a player who, when not challenging for the ball, deliberately strikes an opponent or any other person on the head or face with the hand or arm, is guilty of violent conduct.
Consequences for Violent Conduct
On field consequences
Red card
Recurring offenses
1st offense: Minimum 3 game suspension
2nd offense: Permanent suspension
Verbal Aggression
Verbal aggression directed at opponents or at the referee is prohibited. Verbal aggression is characterized as using offensive, insulting or abusive language and/or action(s). Any words that may incite someone to violence or to escalate an already tense situation will be treated as verbal aggression.
Consequences for Verbal Aggression
On field consequences
1st offense: Yellow card
2nd offense: Red card
Recurring offenses
1st offense: Minimum 1 game suspension
2nd offense: Minimum 3 game suspension
3rd offense: Full season suspension
Procedures for Complaints, Investigations and Corrective Action
All Participants are responsible for helping ensure that misconduct is avoided. I PLAY FOR SF cannot act to eliminate misconduct unless it has notice of the conduct. Participants need to report any concerns within 48 hours of an incident occurring. Please submit all reports via email to the league manager at iplayforsf@streetsoccerusa.org.
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