2022 SISL REFEREE RESPECT POLICY (rev. 2024)
SISL has a large turnover in referees each season. In part, this is due to verbal abuse or threats directed at referees. Many of these referees and linesmen come from our own ranks or are young people learning to referee. Referees are on the field to improve soccer for everyone. They deserve respect.
SISL will not tolerate disrespect to its referees. Aggressive communication directed at referees or ARs is unwelcome and may result in sanctions against players or teams. Sanctions can include fines and/or removal from play. Players, coaches, team managers and teams are on notice that SISL will not accept disrespect to referees from anyone, including spectators. Disrespect includes, but is not limited to: aggression, intimidation, abusive language, dissent, or constant jabbering.
Issues relating to the Referee Respect Policy may be reported through a link provided at the SISL website. However, only league officers and officials, referees and team captains reporting the captain’s own players are authorized to report violations of the policy. Include as much information in the report form as possible to provide the SISL Board and Disciplinarian a comprehensive understanding of the facts.
Players and teams are expected to control themselves and their fans and will be held responsible for their actions.
SISL DISCIPLINARY RULES (Revised 3/2024)
I. PLAYER DISCIPLINE
Penalties are assessed for violations of SISL regulations such as red cards, violent conduct, and referee abuse. The SISL website provides contact information for the SISL Disciplinarian, who is responsible for issuing invoices for monetary penalties, and hearing appeals of red cards. (Disciplinary@sislsoccer.com)
PLAYERS are responsible for taking action to contact the league about the player’s disciplinary issues.
A. DISCIPLINARY PENALTIES (PLAYERS)
a. If a player receives two yellow cards in a game, the two cards will be treated as a red card, and penalties will be assessed accordingly.
b. Players who receive three or more yellow cards during a season will be assessed a fine, payable prior to registering for the next season of play.
c. Players who receive a red card will receive a minimum of one game suspension and a fine. (See Fine Schedule). The suspension prohibits play for the league/division they received the card in.
d. Players who receive more than one red card will sit out the remainder of that season, the entire next season, and will be assessed fines for each card.
Grounds for red cards:
1. Serious foul play, such as dangerous tackles from behind.
2. Violent conduct (over-aggressive behavior, fighting, throwing elbows, etc.)
3. Spitting on players, referees or others.
4. Denies obvious scoring opportunity by use of a handball.
5. Denies obvious scoring opportunity with any free kick foul.
6. Foul language or verbal abuse of opposing players or referees.
e. Players who receive a violent red card will be suspended for the remainder of the season, the entire next season, and will be assessed a fine. The suspension prohibits play in all leagues/divisions.
f. Physical altercations with referees will be subject to a minimum one-year suspension and a fine. Additional penalties may also be assessed by the State Association. See USSF Referee Abuse Policy 531-9. [AC1] The player may also be subject to criminal or civil charges under Idaho law.
B. DISCIPLINARY PENALTIES (TEAMS)
a. Teams will be disciplined for using ineligible players in league games.
b. Teams will be disciplined for multiple red/yellow cards according to the following point system:
i. Each yellow card is one point.
ii. Each red card is three points.
iii. Red cards resulting from two yellow cards issued to a player is two points.
c. Teams receiving more than 10 points in a season will sit out the following season unless the Disciplinarian offers the team a bond option. The offer of a bond, and the bond amount is at the Disciplinarian’s and the SISL Board’s discretion.
d. A team (and all rostered players on that team) found guilty of team violence will be suspended for the remainder of that season and the next season. Upon returning to the league, the team will pay a performance bond that will be refunded if there are no repeat incidents and no red cards were issued to team players during that season.
e. Teams and/or team spectators who enter the field in a bench-clearing-type event will be penalized for team violence, whether or not physical violence occurs.
f. Teams may be assessed fines and/or be subject to discipline for rule violations by players or team spectators.
g. Teams with players or spectators who disrespect referees will be placed in bad standing, which includes suspension for the remainder of the season and all the next and will be assessed fines.
C. FINES
a. Fines may be assessed to individual players and/or teams.
b. Fines must be paid at least 48 hours prior to the first game after the end of a suspension for a player or team to be released to play.
c. The fine schedule lists the fines that will be applied for offenses.
d. Penalties associated with a disciplinary action that results in a fine or suspension may be appealed to the SISL Disciplinarian.
D. APPEAL PROCESS
a. SISL bylaws permit appeals of suspensions. However disciplinary action taken resulting from a caution (single yellow card) or ejection resulting in sanctions of one year or less are not appealable per USSF Bylaw 705.
b. The player receiving a red card (or two yellow cards in conjunction with ejection from a game) has until the Monday following the game to file an appeal with the Disciplinarian. The Disciplinarian will schedule a hearing on the appeal, which will be held no earlier than 72 hours after the infraction. A $40 hearing fee will be required to be paid prior to the commencement of the hearing. LATE APPEAL REQUESTS WILL NOT BE ALLOWED.
c. Hearings will proceed in accordance with SISL hearing rules and procedures. Federal or state laws or rules of evidence or civil procedure will not apply.
d. Hearing procedures:
i. The Disciplinarian will schedule the hearing after conferring with the appellant(s) as to a mutually agreeable time/date/place.
ii. The appeal body will consist of the Disciplinarian and at least one SISL board member.
iii. An appellant may have an individual present at the hearing to assist in presenting the appellant’s case. However, the person assisting the appellant may not speak, or question witnesses or the hearing panel.
iv. During the hearing, the appellant may confer briefly with the assistant before making statements or responding to a question. The hearing panel may limit the frequency and duration of the conferences so as not to unduly interfere with the proceedings.
v. If there is confusion or concern, the appellant may request a recess to confer with the assistant. The hearing panel will grant the request unless the number or duration of the requests becomes unreasonable.
vi. The assistant may prepare written materials and collect documents for the appellant. However, the appellant must be the one presenting the materials/documents. The appellant is responsible for the contents of the documents, and is subject to questioning about them.
vii. Documents must be submitted in English.
e. If a player/team wants to appeal a penalty assessed for violations of Idaho State Soccer Association regulations or a ruling by SISL, those appeals must be filed with the Association, not SISL. Contact information for appeals to the Idaho State Soccer Association can be found on the Association’s website. Contact Paul Scherer at 208.376.1635 for more information.
SISL FINES
As of 1/1/2024 (can be changed by SISL Board)
| INFRACTION | Penalty |
| Yellow Cards (per season) | |
| 3 cards | $30 |
| 4-5 cards | $10 per card above 3 |
| 6+ cards | $90 |
| Red Cards (per season) | |
| 1 card | $40 |
| 2 cards | $100 |
| Violent Red | $100 |
| Referee Disrespect | $50 minimum |
| Physical Altercation with Referee | $500 minimum |
| Team Use of Ineligible Players | $40 minimum + team forfeit fine, plus any additional player fines |
| FORFEITS (DO NOT PAY THE REFEREE)* | Full cost of referees for that game + $10 administrative fee |
| RESCHEDULING GAMES** | $40 |
MONETARY PENALTIES MAY BE ASSESSED IN LIEU OF OR IN ADDITION TO SUSPENSION OR OTHER DISCIPLINARY ACTIONS.
*Forfeit penalties must be paid by Wednesday prior to the next scheduled games. Multiple forfeitures will place the team in bad standing with the league and additional fines and sanctions may apply.
**The team requesting the reschedule should contact the league scheduler as soon as possible to arrange for a new game date and to pay the rescheduling fee.
Fines/fees must be made via cash, money order or online through PayPal, and are not refundable.