Spring 2002

Summary of R&D Decisions from the Spring 2002 Season

1. U19/2 Terminated Game
In the 78th minute, a penalty kick was awarded to Team B. Team A players protested the awarding of the penalty kick to the referee. The referee ejected a Team A player. The referee went over to the Team A coach and requested that he control his players. The Team A coach refused and stated "there was nothing I can do." The referee terminated the match.

Decisions of the R&D Committee were as follows:
1. The game was declared a forfeit and the score was recorded as Team B 3 vs. Team A 0.
2. All cards issued in the game stand.
3. Team A Coach was suspended for 3 games. This suspension must be served in the next 3 Team A NCSL games.

2. U15/3 Team A playing of an Ineligible Player
As reported in the information posted on the web site, Team A had a player who owed a carryover sit-out from the Fall 2001 season for accumulating 20 disciplinary points in the final game of the season played on Nov. 4, 2001. According to NCSL rules, this player was ineligible to participate in Team A's first NCSL game.

Decisions of the R&D Committee were as follows:
1. The game was declared a forfeit and the score was recorded as Team B 3 vs. Team A 0
2. The player was suspended from the next Team A NCSL game.
3. Team A Coach was suspended for 1 game which must be served in the next Team A NCSL game.

3. U10/3 Parent compliant about referee's performance.
The Team A parent complained that the referee did not send off a player from Team B for denying an obvious goal scoring opportunity. In the parent's opinion, the offense should have been punished by a free kick or a penalty kick. The referee did not caution the opponent, did not direct the game to be restarted with a free kick, and did not direct the game to be restarted with a goal kick; instead, the referee restarted the game with a drop ball.

The Team A parent further complained: 1) the referee did not call a single foul during the first half of the game, 2) all fouls were called against Team A and 3) the referee demonstrated very limited knowledge of the laws of the game and particularly Law 12.

Response from the R&D Chairman
This was a U10 Division 3 game. Your team cannot expect an experienced Grade 7 or 6 referee. You will be getting beginner referees that need experience at the youngest age group. If we are lucky to retain these referees, they will be available to do your games when you get to U12 or U13 and beyond. They are learning and they will make mistakes. Just as you wouldn't criticise your son for miss kicking a ball that should have been a score, the league expects you not to be critical of our referees if they miss a call. Even if they miss a call that denies a goal for your team, it may have no effect in a game that is won or lost by 6 goals. However, if they make a mistake that does impact the outcome of the game, every team has the right to protest the outcome before my committee and if the committee agrees, I would direct a replay.

The referee either didn't see the play as you saw it, missed seeing it completely, or saw it and decided not to give a card to the player. Very few red cards are given at U9 and U10 and referees generally err on not giving a card to a 8 or 9 year old since they tend to have a very negative effect on the youngest of our players. We really want to encourage these boys to stay with the game.

Win, tie, or lose and even if they missed some obvious calls, it would be great if every team would thank the referee at the end of the game.

4. U17/2 Terminated Game
The game was terminated with 15 minutes remaining with the score tied Team A 2 vs. Team B 2.

In the 75th minute, Team A scored on a penalty kick. After the penalty kick, Team A player kicked Team B player in the back of the leg. Team B player retaliated by swinging at Team A player.

Players from both teams appeared to attempt to separate the players. On several occasions, Team B player continued to wrestle free of his team mates to go after the opponent. Both players were red carded and ejected from the match. The melee continued for two or three minutes at which point parents, coaches, and benches were on the field in a combination of attempting to separate shoving matches and retaliate.

In the opinion of the referee, the risk of violent retaliation was prohibitive to the continuation of the game. The referee also reported that both coaches were extremely cooperative with the referee and each other and helpful in trying to diffuse the situation and they expressed severe disappointment in their players.

It was fairly clear that we had an instigator, Team A player, and a retaliator with vengeance, Team B player.

Decisions of the R&D Committee were as follows:
1. The game was declared a nongame, no score was recorded and the match will not be rescheduled.
2. All cards issued in the game stand.
3. Team A player was suspended for 1 additional game beyond the sit-out required for receiving the red card.
4. Team B player was suspended for 3 additional games beyond the sit-out required for receiving the red card.

5. U16/3 Terminated Game
The game was terminated with less then a minute remaining with the score Team B 2 vs. Team A 0.

Near the end of the match Team B scored a goal. Team A Coach protested the goal claiming that Team B player was offside. The referee ejected Team A Coach and terminated the match when Team A Coach refused to leave the field.

Decisions of the R&D Committee were as follows:
1. The score when the game was terminated stands, Team B 2 vs. Team A 0.
2. All cards issued in the game stand.
3. Team A Coach was suspended for 2 games.

6. U12/2 Terminated Game
The game was terminated with 1 1/2 minutes remaining with the score tied Team A 2 vs. Team B 2.

Near the end of the match, the referee awarded a free kick to Team B. Team A Coach protested this call. The referee allowed play to continue until the ball went out of bounds. The referee cautioned Team A Coach for dissent. Team A Coach persisted in his complaints and the referee ejected him for abusive language. Team A Coach started to leave the field then stopped and the referee terminated the match. The referee acknowledged that he may have terminated the game too quickly.

Team A Coach reported that he served both his sit-outs (one for the ejection and one for accumulated points).

Decisions of the R&D Committee were as follows:
1. The score when the game was terminated stands, Team A 2 vs. Team B 2. 2. All cards issued in the game stand. 3. No additional disciplinary action was warranted.

7. U14/3 Referee assault
The referee filed an assault charge against Player A in a NCSL match. The NCSL does not hear allegations of referee assault and immediately turned the allegation over to the VYSA Adjudication committee.

VYSA Adjudication Committee held a hearing to review the allegations of referee assault. The Committee found that Player A did commit referee assault by hitting the referee's arm in an attempt to smack the red card that he was shown by.

Decision of the VYSA Adjudication Committee was as follows:
The Adjudication Committee suspended Player A from all soccer activities under the jurisdiction of the United States Soccer Federation, including all activities at the national, regional, state, and club and league levels, through February 28, 2003.

8. U12/5 Terminated Game
During the first half, the Team A was coached by the team manager. There were no incidents or problems and the score at the end of the half was tied 1-1. At halftime, Team A coach arrived. Ten minutes into the second half, the referee awarded a penalty kick to Team B. Team A Coach objected to the call and shouted his disagreement several times. The referee ejected Team A Coach from the field. Team A Coach initially refused to leave the field. After Team A Coach left, Team A Manager continued the confrontation by making additional remarks to the referee. The referee ejected Team A Manager from the field and when he refused to leave, the referee terminated the match.

Team A Coach and Manger stated during the hearing that they both have served the mandatory one game suspension for being ejected from the match.

Decisions of the R&D Committee were as follows:
1. The game was declared a forfeit and the score was recorded as Team B 3 vs Team A 0.
2. All cards issued during the game stand.
3. Team A Coach and Manager were each suspended for an additional 2 games. The sit-outs must be served in the next 2 Team A NCSL games. Any sit-outs remaining unserved at the end of this season will carry over to the next season that either Team A Coach Manager participates in the NCSL.

9. U14/2 Terminated Game
With approximately 12 minutes remaining in the second half, the referee issued Team A Coach a yellow card for dissent. With 2 minutes remaining in the match, the referee heard a loud dissent from the Team A bench and immediately ejected the Team A coach. Team A parent, acting as a nonrostered assistant coach, objected to the ejection of Team A Coach claiming that he made the dissenting comments. When the Team A coaching staff refused to settle down and allow the game to continue, the referee terminated the match.

During the Fall 2001 season, there was an altercation between Team A Coach and another NCSL coach. An NCSL R&D hearing was held to review the incidents that caused this altercation. Given the serious nature of actions of both coaches, NCSL R&D Committee placed both coaches on probation for 2 seasons. The conditions of the probation stated that if either coach was involved in an incident which rises to the level of an R&D hearing, the actions will be reviewed with an eye towards their actions in Fall 2001 match.

In the opinion of the R&D Committee Team A Coach's behavior persistently fell far short of the standards required by the NCSL and was highly detrimental to the game of soccer.

Decisions of the R&D Committee were as follows:
1. The score when the game was terminated stands, Team B 2 vs Team A 1.
2. All cards issued in the game stand.
3. Team A Coach was suspended for 1 year effective immediately. This suspension prohibits Team A Coach in serving as an NCSL team official in any capacity.
4. Team A team was fined $300.

10. U13/3 Protest of red card
The basis of the protest was that the 2nd yellow card issued to Team A player was not justified and that the "penalty far outweighed the crime." The team contended that if the referee knew that the player already had a yellow card, it was way too harsh to send a player off for such a questionable and relatively minor infraction.

The referee reported that on the free kick, Team A player lined up in a wall less than 10 yards from the ball, jumped toward the ball and tried to block it. In the opinion of the referee, Team A player interfered with the restart of the game. The referee awarded Team A player a 2nd yellow card which resulted in his ejection from the match.

In the unanimous opinion of the R&D Committee, this was a judgement call by the referee and therefore not protestable.

Decision of the R&D Committee wa as follows:
The protest was denied and the ejection from the match of Team A player stands. Team A player must serve his 1 game suspension for being ejected from the match in the next Team A NCSL match.

11. U17/3 Terminated Game
The referee reported that all players were somewhat physical during play, however no excessive dangerous play was noted. At 1:25 remaining in the second half, the referee made the decision to terminate the match to prevent a potential fight between Team A keeper, another unknown Team A player, and an unknown Team B player. According to the referee, these three players were exchanging words which he was not able to hear and the Team A keeper appeared to use a "head butt" motion towards the Team B player. The referee discussed the termination with the both coaches after the game and gave them his reason for terminating the match.

Decisions of the R&D Committee were as follows:
1. The score when the game was terminated stands, Team B 8 vs Team A
2. All cards issued in the game stand.
3. The sit-out being served by Team A player counts.
4. No additional disciplinary action was warranted.

12. U17/2 Referee Assault
During the match, two players got involved in a shoving contest in front of the goal. The referee was able to separate the players, issued them red cards and directed both of them to leave the field immediately. Team A player confronted the referee about his ejection. After Team A player confronted the referee and received his answer, Team A player, using his shoulder, struck the referee in the chest.

Since the referee was alleging referee assault, this case was referred to the VYSA Adjudication Committee for resolution. The VYSA Adjudication Committee held a hearing and determined that Team A player was guilty of referee assault.

Decision of the VYSA Adjudication Committee was as follows:
Team A player was suspended for 6 months from all soccer activities under the jurisdiction of the United States Soccer Federation and its members. This suspension includes all soccer activities at the national, regional, state , and club and league levels, and participation on all games, practices , and officiating.

13. U17/2 Player misconduct
An additional incident occurred, in the same game listed in item 12 above, with a player from Team B after time had expired.

The referee reported that Team B player yelled profanity at the assistant referee. The referee immediately issued him a red card. Team B player then became verbally abusive and persistently used foul language directed at the referee. Team B player admitted that he used excessive foul language directed towards the referee and apologized to the committee and the referee for his behavior.

Decisions of the R&D Committee were as follows:
1. Team B player was automatically suspended for 1 game for receiving the red card. 2. Team B player was suspended for an additional 3 games. If Team B player returns to the NCSL, this suspension must be served in the next 3 NCSL games his team would participate.

14. U15/2 Playing of an Ineligible player
Team A alleged that their player sat out the next NCSL game after their player received a red card. Due to lack of familiarity with the details of proper protocol, the team management claimed that they did not ensure that a sit out card was completed and mailed. Team A was reminded of such protocol in their next NCSL game. Their opponent completed a sit out card for their coach. Team A discussed whether or not to let their player participate in this game.

Timeline: Game 1- Team A player gets a red card.
Game 2- Team A claims player served sit-out; however Team B had no knowledge that sit-out was served, Team A beats Team B 2-1.
Game 3- Team A makes decision to let player participate; Team A beats Team C 3-1.

The league considers any sit-out that cannot be verified by the opponent as a sit out did not occur, and therefore would not count. All games played with an ineligible player are subject to forfeit. It was the unanimous decision of the R&D Committee that Team A player did not serve his sit-out in Game 2 and therefore, he was ineligible to participate in Game 3.

Decisions of the R&D Committee were as follows:
1. Game 2 was declared a forfeit and the score was recorded as Team B 3 vs Team A 0.
2. Game 3 was declared a forfeit and the score was recorded as Team C 3 vs Team A 0.
3. Team A Player must serve his 1 game suspension for receiving a red card.
4. Team A Coach was issued a 1 game disciplinary suspension.

Team A filed a formal appeal of the R&D decision. The appeal was based on Team A's belief that R&D incorrectly determined that they played an ineligible player in two NCSL matches. The appeals committee held a hearing to review this appeal.

Decision of the Appeals Committee
The committee concluded by a 3-1 vote that the R&D Committee did not commit any error in its process, procedures or implementation of NCSL policy. Therefore, the appeal was denied and the original R&D decisions stand.

15. U16/2 Terminated Game
With approximately one minute remaining,Team A was taking a corner kick. Team A player and Team B goalkeeper got into a pushing contest for position. The corner kick was taken and the ball was played up field. As the referee started to move up the field, he turned and saw that the pushing escalated to the point where both players wound up in the back of the net. Another Team B player had joined the other two players in the back of the goal. The referee ran back to the net to break up the pushing contest and gave all three players red cards for fighting. Coaches, parents and other team members poured onto the field to challenge and question the referee. At this point, the referee terminated the match.

Team officials are responsible for their spectator's behavior at the game. In the opinion of the R&D committee, both teams failed to properly control their spectators and allowed them to invade the field. This is a significant and serious violation of the NCSL Leaders and Parent Codes of Conduct.

The referee reported that he did not see any punches, kicks, or elbows thrown only pushing among the players in the goal. An eyewitness from the next game who was behind the goal area, reported that the Team A player pushed the Team B goalkeeper and then they both got caught in the back of the net.

At some time during the pushing contest, Team A player got a knee to the groin area. This turned out to be a serious injury which required the player to be taken to the hospital via ambulance just after leaving the field. The player stated that he was doing better and the R&D Committee wished him a speedy recovery.

Decisions of the R&D Committee were as follows:
1. The score when the game was terminated stands, Team B 2 vs Team A 1.
2. The red cards issued to the Team A player and the two Team B players stand. The automatic one game suspension must be served in the next NCSL game that the player's team participates. If any player changes teams, the suspension remains with them and must be served with any new team they join.
3. Both teams were fined $500.