PENALTY CODE
To establish a recommended, but not mandatory, set of guidelines for SDPL Executive Committee Disciplinary hearings and for uniform enforcement of “reported” infractions by use of corrective penalties.
Defined as: 1. Caution – Yellow Card
2. Ejection – Red Card
3. Letter of information or inquiry
To eliminate, or greatly reduce, the intolerable actions, attitudes and activities of some soccer players, coaches, parents, and others.
To place on notice – SDPL membership (i.e., players, coaches, assistant coaches, trainers, team managers, parents, and all other interested parties) that the infractions outlined in this guideline will no longer be tolerated without corrective action in the form of standardized penalties.
The objective of these guidelines will not be realized unless reports of infractions and/or other improper activities from referees, coaches, players and parents reach the Executive Committee.
The SDPL Executive Committee will take action on all properly reported matters. Properly reported matters shall include the following:
1. Report on Game Card by Referee mailed within the required FORTY-EIGHT (48) hours.
2. A letter from the Referee to the Executive Committee detailing the nature of the offense, mailed within the required FORTY-EIGHT (48) hours.
Players – Penalties and Infractions
Class I
1. Minimum: Referee caution or removal of player during reported game – plus one additional game suspension for removal.
2. Maximum: (1st report) Referee’s removal of player during reported game – plus one additional game suspension.
3. Maximum: (2nd report) THREE GAME (3) suspension.
4. Maximum: (After 2nd report) ONE YEAR (1) suspension from date of incident.
5. Exception: Unusual circumstances may dictate a stronger or lighter penalty.
Class II
1. Minimum: Referee caution or removal of player from reported game – plus one additional game.
2. Maximum: (1st report) THREE GAME (3) suspension.
3. Maximum (2nd Report) suspension for remainder of current season.
4. Maximum: (After 2nd Report) suspension for remainder of current season.
5. Maximum Exception: Unusual circumstances may dictate a stronger or lighter penalty.
Class III
1. Minimum: Referee removal of player during reported game – plus THREE (3) additional games suspension.
2. 2nd Report: ONE YEAR (1) suspension from date of Referee removal from reported game.
3. LIFETIME SUSPENSION.
Coaches – Penalties for Infractions (Including Assistant Coaches, Trainers, Trainers, Team Managers, etc.)
Technical – Class I
- Minimum: Caution or removal by Referee from reported game and/or game declared “no contest” (replay required).
- Maximum: (1st Report) removal by Referee from reported game – plus suspension from coaching for THREE (3) consecutive league games.
- Maximum: (2nd Report) suspension for balance of season.
- Maximum: (After 2nd Report) ONE YEAR (1) SUSPENSION FROM DATE OF REPORTED GAME.
- Exception: Unusual circumstances may dictate a stronger or lighter penalty.
Physical – Class II
- Minimum: Referee removal during reported game, plus ONE YEAR (1) suspension.
- Maximum: LIFETIME SUSPENSION.
- Full cooperation with police agencies and Courts with respect to any criminal actions brought as a result of infraction(s).
NOTE: If no League games remain for persons assessed game suspension penalties, the penalty assessed shall apply to games in the following season. Failure to comply may result in further suspensions.
