MIDWEST SOCCER ASSOCIATION
REGULATIONS
RULES OF COMPETITION
2014
MIDWEST SOCCER ASSOCIATION
REGULATIONS & RULES OF COMPETITION
1. MEMBERSHIP
2. RESPONSIBILITIES OF MEMBERS
3. GROUNDS
4. ASSOCIATION COMPETITIONS & FIXTURES
5. 7 A-SIDE
6. CUP COMPETITIONS
7. PLAYERS
8. REGISTRATIONS
9. TRANSFERS
10. CLUB UNIFORMS
11. MATCH CARDS
12. MATCH OFFICIALS
13. COMMITTEES & SUB COMMITTEES
14. COMPLAINTS
15. DISCIPLINARY SYSTEM
16. FINES & CHARGES
17. PAYMENT OF FINES & CHARGES
18.POLICIES
19. DISCLAIMER
1MEMBERSHIP
1.1All member clubs must renew membership by the commencement of the premiership season each year, together with payment of the annual subscription fee.
1.2Members who are un-financialat any time during the season will at the discretion of the board of directors
1. Not be allowed to participate in any of the association fixtures.
2. Not be allowed to vote at any delegates, committee or special meetings of the association.
1.3A new club applying for membership may register a maximum of 4 (four) players in the men’s competition and a maximum of 4 (four) players in the women’s competition that were registered with any club within the Midwest Soccer Association the previous or current year.
A new club must have their colours approved prior to being accepted for membership. Existing members colours cannot be used.
1.4The Management committee may impose conditions of entry on a new club applying for membership.
2.RESPONSIBILITIES OF MEMBERS
2.1Each member club secretary shall be furnished with an electronic copy of the constitution and by-laws of the association and such shall be regarded as sufficient proof that members are aware of all responsibilities.
2.2Each member is responsible and accountable for the behavior of its officers, spectators, players and members. It is the clubs responsibility to inform spectators of any breach of the Spectator Code of Behavior and request immediate compliance.
2.3Approaches to match officials during or after a match can be made only by the team captain or club secretary and the competition manager.
2.4If the association is not using official Referee’s, then it is the responsibility of the home team to provide referee’s unless the board of directors rule otherwise.
The home team is mentioned first on the fixture.
2.5The association may from time to time request compulsory attendance of delegates to meetings. Any club breaching this rule will be subject to an automatic fine. Attendance to all other delegates is optional, however decisions affecting clubs may be made in their absence.
2.6All clubs are to be represented at the Annual General Meeting of the association. Any breach of this rule is subject to an automatic fine.
2.7All member clubs should be an incorporated body for there own protection
2.8All member clubs are to provide a reasonable first aid kit and clubs providing venues are to provide a stretcher and ice or cold packs at all of their game fixtures.
2.9Clubs must advise the association in writing by 31st Decemberof any player that has outstanding fees at the end of the season. This is to prevent that player being registered to another club before payment is made.
Any Club that has a member who in financial debt to that club may advise the association by the 31st of December so that the association can determine if the player can be deemed un-financial and therefore prevent the player registering with another club. This rule may be subject to legal ramifications and therefore each case would be determined on its individual circumstances.
3.GROUNDS
3.1Clubs providing venues are responsible to unsure that the ground is maintained in proper playing condition in conjunction with the relevant local authority where applicable.
3.2The Club providing a venue shall provide all goals, nets, corner flags and ground markings.Includinga technical area
3.3Clubs providing the venue are responsible for putting up nets, teams playing last should assist in taking down nets.
3.4.1All ground markings shall be those recommended by FIFA law 1.2 -1.5. ground markings must be marked with water based paint
3.4.2All markings are to be clearly visible.
3.4.3Where another sport’s pitch is marked out, the soccer pitch markings, shall be clearly distinguishable from any other.
3.5.1All grounds shall have a safe playing surface with no objects intruding onto or within 2m of the pitch.
3.5.2 All goal posts shall be secured to the ground surface in accordance with regulations as stipulated by the local government authority & DOCEP
3.5.3 Clubs providing a venue shall be responsible for ensuring that grounds have been booked
with the City of Greater Geraldton.
3.5.4 All Clubs are responsible to lodge and pay ground user fees to the City of Greater Geraldton
In accordance with the City Regulations
.
4.ASSOCIATION COMPETITIONS & FIXTURES
4.1All fixtures, cups and competitions shall be arranged by the association.
4.2The Association shall have the right to alter fixtures as deemed necessary.
4.3.1The maximum time for fixtures shall be 45 minutes each way for Men and 40 minutes each way for women. If for somereason, it is necessary to reduce this time, it may be reduced, but in no circumstances shall a fixture time be less than 30 minutes each way for Men and 25 minutes for Women. Once a game has gone beyond the 75th minute for Men or 70th minute for Women the score at cessation of play be declared the finalresult.
4.3.2In all association fixtures unless otherwise specified the half time break shall not exceed 10 minutes.
4.3.3No injury time is added unless the referee calls for a stretcher and the stretcher is used by the injured played. The amount of added time is at the referee’s discretion.
4.4.1The association shall nominate commencement times for all fixtures.
4.4.2No changes of times or dates of fixture can be made without the consent of the association. Any postponed match should be played prior to the next fixture for those teams.
4.5Any team not ready to start a match 10 minutes after the appointed time shall forfeit the game to their opponents onthe basis of 2-0 score and 3 points to the opponent. The club in
default willbe responsible for the referee fee and be fined 3 premiership points.
4.6If through weather conditions or other acts of nature, a match is not completed, it may be replayed fully, but should the match be abandoned by any other cause, awarding of points, ordering a replay or any other penalty shall be at the discretion of Midwest Soccer.
4.7Any team refusing to enter the field of play or walking off the field of play during a match without the permission of the referee shall be referred to the Disciplinary committee who shall at their discretion confirm the outcome of the match and the awarding of points, ordering a replay or imposing a penalty.
4.8.1Women’s & B Grade teams may play 9,10,or 11 A-Side. If one team has 9 (10) players the
other team can only play with 9 (10) on the field but may have up to 15 on the team list.
If a team has 9 or 10 players at the commencement of the game but lists more on the match
card then the other team is not penalized and may play the same amount of players that the
opposition lists on the match card.
4.8.2This association uses interchange of (4) players and not substitution. Interchange of players can only be done when the ball is out of play. This rule is under the control of the referee.Interchange players must be ready and waiting at the half way line when interchange is called.
4.9The first eleven (11) players listed on the match card must be on the field of play when the fixture commences unless the team is unable to field eleven players.
When an interchange player takes the field for the first time only during a game, the player must indicate to the referee by showing his or her number, the referee will the record that the player has taken the field. Failure to do so may lead to disciplinary action and the player will not be recorded as having played.
4.10 All interchanged players and coaching staff are to remain within the technical area whilst the match is in progress. Interchange players must wear a coloured vest. Players may leave the area for the purpose of warming upSupporters, non officials and other players are prohibited from entering the technical area.
Consumption of alcohol or smoking is prohibited within the technical area
Coaches, officials, trainers, volunteers and players will refrain from smoking and remain smoke free while involved in an official capacity for any of the Governing Bodies, Club or representative team, on and off the field.
4.11During the premiership season, only 3 players who take the field in an A grade game, may take the field in the B grade game the following playing date. Any breach will result in a forfeit and a fine of 3 premiership points in that B grade game.
4.12No player can play for more than one team in the same grade. If a club has two teams then Rule 4.11 applies to the club and not each team.
4.13 All friendly or scratch matches can be sanction by the association for insurance purposes. Under FFA rules all players taking part in a friendly game must be registered and an official referee must control the game. If a game is not sanctioned there is no insurance cover for any participant.
Application forms are available on request from the association
4.14 Any club nominating a men’s teams must nominate an A grade team before they can nominate a B grade team, unless the association determines that it is in the best interest of
the competition for that club to field a B grade team only.
4.15On days in which the temperature is expected to be high, the referee may use his discretion to allow players to take drink breaks. During any such break, all players must remain on the field of play
5.7A-SIDE
5.1The association may run a summer social competition, this willbe run on a team entry basis rather that a club entry.
5.2The format of 7a-Side fixtures will depend on the number of teams entered.
5.3Midwest Soccer Association 7A-Side Competition Rules
The format of 7a-Side fixtures will depend on the number of teams entered.
Player Registration fees $40-00.
All players must complete a registration card and pay the registration fee prior to playing.
Playing anun-registered player will result in a forfeit and a loss of 3 points.
Maximum number of players per team is twelve (12).
Players can only register for one team.
If a player leaves a team the player can be replaced, but the player
leaving the team cannot re-register for any other team.
Minimum age of male players is 15 years of age during that calendar year. Female players 15 years of age during that calendar year.
Each team must fill out a match card and hand it to the referee before the game commences.
All 12 players may take part in a game with no more than 7 playerstaking the field at any one time.
All players must wear individual numbered shirts (including the goalkeeper). Shirts must be of the samecolour (goalkeeper shirt must be a different colour). Shin pads must be worn, players breaching these rules may not take the field .
A minimum of 5 players is required for the game to proceed
No jewellery of any type (studs, rings, earings) can be worn with the exception of medic alerts.
The game is to be played over 2 x 25 minute halves, 5 minute half time break. There is no injury time.
Game times are to be under the control of the official time keeper.
The playing field will be divided into 2 halves.
Goal Kicks (throws) must bounce before the centre line otherwise a free kick will be given from the half way line.
There is no offside rule.
No slide tackling allowed.
If the ball goes out of play it will be kicked in from the side line, the kickin must be on the ground. If the ball is kicked over the back line by the defending team a corner will be taken. A goal kick must be taken by the goal keeper only.Opposing players mustbe 3 metres from the ball.
Players may not play the ball within the goal area. Defensive players will be penalized with the awarding of a penalty. Goal keepers may not handle the ball outside the goal area.
Penalty kicks must be taken from the penalty spot. The penalty spot shall be 6metres from the goal line. Players can only take 2 steps,not a run up before kicking a penalty shot. Breach of this rule will result in a free kick to the opposition from the centre line.
Teams will be awarded 3 points for a win and 1 point for a draw. Teams winning on a forfeit will receive 3 points and 2 goals. If a game is stopped by the referee for any reason other than insufficient players before full time the game will be abandoned (no score or points)
In the case of insufficient players the game the final score will stand.
Teams winning on forfeit must still present a match card on the night by a team member in person to the competition manager for points to be awarded.
Any team may forfeit on two occasions during the competition.
The team will be expelled from the competition if they attempt a third forfeit and their players cannot register for any other team.
Any violent conduct or serious fouls will cause the player to be dismissed from the competition.
Consumption of alcohol by players prior to or during a game is strictly prohibited. Offending players will be sent off for the remainder of the game.
These 7 A-Side rules must be read in conjunction with the rules and regulations of the Midwest Soccer Association, in particular the Disciplinary Regulations. Copies are available on request
All other FIFA rules apply
Interpretation of and changes to these rules are at the sole discretion of the Management Committee .
6.CUP COMPETITIONS
6.1PRE SEASON GAMES
A pre-season cup fixture may be played, this will be known as the Pre-Season Challenge.
The format of this competition will depend on team numbers and be at the sole discretion of the Management Committee.
6.2.1KNOCKOUT CUP
The Knockout Cup competition shall be played at the completion of the premiership fixtures. Fixtures shall be on a ballot system.
6.2.2Players must have played 3 premiership games in A grade or Women’sto qualify to play in the A grade or Women’sKnockout Cup.
Players must have played 3 premiership games in B grade to qualify to play in the B grade Knockout Cup
6.2.3Players can take part in 1 grade only in the Knockout cup
6.3.4Once a player has played in a team that has been knocked out of the competition that player can no longer take part in the competition
6.2.5As there must be a winning team at the completion of the match extra time will be played (15mins each way for men and 12mins each way for women) followed by penalty kicks if required. Matches will not be decided by Golden Goal.
7. PLAYERS
7.1All players playing in the Midwest Soccer Association mustcomplete a national player registration form and pay the required registration fees before playing. Completion of the form must be to the requirements of FFA & Football West
7.2Any player who receives monies and or goods or benefits (with the exception of trophies) from playing the game of soccer is not permitted to play in any of the associations competitions.
7.3No player may be registered with more than 1 clubat the same time, unless dual registration has been approved by FFA and Football West
7.4To be eligible to play in the men’s amateur league a player must at least be turning16 years of age during the calendar year of the competition, unless otherwise deemed eligible by way of assessment and at the discretion of the Midwest Soccer Association.
To be eligible to play in the women’s amateur league a player must at least be turning 15 years of age during the calendar year of the competition, unless otherwise deemed eligible by way of assessment and at the discretion of the Midwest Soccer Association.
7.5If a player wishes to apply for dual registration, (meaning that they play juniors for one club and seniors for another) must complete a request for dual registration form available from the association and submit it to the Midwest Soccer Association. After the application is assessed and the reason for applying is valid, the application will be forward to the FFA via Football West for approval in accordance with FIFA and FFA Regulations.
7.6Player participating in a Perth League Grade Competition cannot participate in a
MSA A Grade Competition (with the exception of an player returning from injury who mayparticipate in one game prior to returning to the Perth League).
Players participating in a Perth Reserves Grade Competition may participate in a MSAA grade
Players participating in any Perth Competition cannot participate in a MSA B Grade competition
8.REGISTRATIONS
8.1All player registrations shall be in line with the National Registration Regulations. The Midwest Soccer Association uses the Register by Registrar method
8.2Each club shall register all its players on the official registrationform and enter the details on the FFA “myfootballclub” online system.A player is considered to be registered once made active on the national data base, however is ineligible to play until the club lodges the registration for and fees with the association.