Rules & Bylaws

If not otherwise specified here, Mass. OEEA guidelines and/or municipal guidelines must be followed at all times 

SECTION I: CONSTITUTION

This organization shall be known as the Central Mass Coed Recreational Soccer League (CMCRSL).

The purpose of this organization shall be to assist, promote and foster development of recreational soccer for beginner to intermediate players and to promote sportsmanship and goodwill among its members.

The business of this league shall be carried forth and transacted by its officers. The officers of the CMCRSL shall be comprised of the following positions:

President

Vice President

Secretary

Treasurer

Registrar

SECTION II: BY-LAWS

MEETINGS

The CMCRSL will hold bi-annual business meetings (2 per year). All league officers and the captain of each registered team are required to attend. If the team captain is also an officer or unable to attend a biannual meeting, an alternative representative from the team will be identified and required to attend.

Special meetings may be called at any time at the discretion of the league president and/or two registered players.

OFFICERS

The following officers are to be elected at the bi-annual business meeting closest to the end of the calendar year. The officers shall be elected for a two-year term. The vote shall be by ballot and be staggered on the following basis: on even years beginning in 2022 President, Registrar, Treasurer; odd years beginning in 2021 will be Vice President, and Secretary. Only 2 Executive Board members may be from the same team. If a position cannot be filled due to this rule, team reps may be drafted to hold the position.

President

Vice President

Secretary

Treasurer

Registrar

The five league officers must be registered players during the current season. The officers reserve the right to appoint any non-voting (ex-officio) positions as needed. For any officer missing 3 consecutive meetings without just cause, the position may be declared vacant and voting members will elect a replacement at the next regular meeting.


In the event that an officer resigns midterm a temporary officer will fill the occupancy for the remainder of the current term. The vacant position will be opened to the entirety of the league for members to run. Team Representatives are responsible for bringing any opposition to the Board once the candidates are announced. The candidates will be voted upon in the next league meeting.

LEAGUE VOTING POLICY

All league policy changes and other issues will require a quorum of 67% of the voting members (Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, Registrar, and the team captain or designated team representative). A majority of 51% is required for a vote to be approved.

EXECUTIVE BOARD RESPONSIBILITIES

President: The President shall preside at all meetings of said league unless unavailable due to sickness or infirmity. The President shall also serve as parliamentarian at these meetings, or may relinquish this duty to an officer of his/her choice. The President shall hold an ex-officio position, only exercising the right to vote in tie-breaking situations. The President shall also be responsible for all league equipment, obtaining of field permits, developing the season playing schedule, and coordination of Certified Referees.

Vice President: The Vice President shall succeed to the powers of the President in the latter’s absence. The Vice President shall have full voting powers and is expected to assist the President however, whenever and wherever needed. He/she shall also be responsible for all rule interpretations as well as the enforcement thereof through the scheduling of competent and registered officials.

Secretary: As a full voting member, the Secretary shall be responsible for the recording and distributing of all meeting minutes. The secretary shall be responsible for any and all mailings associated with the league. He/she will also collect and maintain any cards during the playing season and distribute this information to the appropriate personnel.

Treasurer: As a full voting member, the Treasurer shall be responsible for any and all monies of the league, keeping an accurate record of all transactions and disbursements. The Treasurer will be responsible for determining the team cost for each session of play during the year and setting appropriate deadlines for teams to submit fees for each session.

Registrar: As a full voting member, the Registrar shall be responsible for coordinating and carrying out registration of new and existing players.

Team Representatives: Each team must have a named captain, who will generally also serve as the Team Representative. If the team captain is also an officer of the league, an alternative team player must serve as Team Representative. If the Captain is unable to serve as Team Rep for any meeting or other responsibility, he/she may also designate an alternative representative. This representative shall be a player from said team and has full voting power. It is the representative’s responsibility to bring the team’s concerns to the league and to keep their team informed of league decisions. Representatives will also assist the league with team/player registration. Team Reps may also report to the league President or Vice President any issues or concerns.


The officers represent the league in all administrative matters which demand immediate attention and/or decision. Their actions under circumstances of this nature shall be operative and final.

CENTRAL MASS COED RECREATIONAL SOCCER LEAGUE RULES OF PLAY

A.     REGISTRATION DEPOSIT of approximately $150 towards the total cost of team registration is due by March 31st of each calendar year in order to register a team for the upcoming season. This fee is nonrefundable unless the season is not played. The deposit and deadline will be communicated to Team Representatives by the Executive Board prior to the start of each season.

B.     TEAM REPRESENTATIVES / CAPTAINS are responsible for the following:

·         Collecting and submitting the Team registration deposit and balance by the deadlines for each session as communicated by the Treasurer

·         Communicating and ensuring all players wear the same color shirt

·         Maintaining a roster with a minimum of 11 players

·         Communicating registration deadlines to players

C. INDIVIDUAL PLAYERS are responsible for maintaining membership in good standing with Mass Soccer. Only registered players may be included on a Team Roster and will be allowed to play in league games.

D. PLAYING FIELDS: The procurement of a playing field is the sole responsibility of the Officers. All fields shall meet the criteria as to size and distinctive markings as directed in current international rules (F.I.F.A.).

E. NEW TEAMS: All new teams and players must meet the above requirements (A,B,C, and D) as well as provide a player representative prior to registration. New Teams may submit an inquiry to any members of the Executive Board, and will be voted into the league in according with the LEAGUE VOTING POLICIES.

F. REGISTRATION There is a registration fee for each team which consists of a player fee for each player on the team. Assessments may be charged as deemed necessary by the league. All league fees must be paid one week prior to the start of the season. Each team must have a minimum number of 11 players to register. A maximum of 18 players is allowed. Any team or player that breaks the league registration rules may be suspended for the whole season and if suspended, may not participate in CMCRSL activities in the future as determined by the league officers. Any team banned from the league may not return as a new team and/or transfer with more than 6 players from the original banned team.

G. TEAM ROSTERS and Mass Soccer I.D. cards with numbers are to be turned into the Registrar for validation on or before the registration deadline for that season.

PLAYER REGISTRATION/TRANSFERS

A. REGISTRATION: For a player to be properly registered each player must obtain a valid MASS Soccer player ID card. To obtain this, visit www.mass-soccer.org. Ids are valid for 2 years. Only registered, paid players may play and for only 1 team in a season.

AGE LIMITS: Any team registering with CMCRSL shall be allowed to carry players who are thirty (30) by March 31 of that playing season.


B. REIMBURSEMENT: If a person has paid his/her registration and is unable to start the season, a full reimbursement will be issued. Once the season has started, no reimbursements will be issued.

C. INELIGIBLE PLAYERS: Any team playing or attempting to play an ineligible player shall forfeit the game. The team and player(s) playing or attempting to play in any game for which he/she is ineligible shall be further dealt with by the Executive Board.

D. TRANSFERS: A player who transfers from one team to another will be considered a new player. A team changing colors is not considered a new team. The transfer of player must be agreed to by both teams and generally should occur between sessions.

E.  INDIVIDUAL PLAYER POOL: Persons interested in joining the league outside of a team registration may be placed in a player pool. Names or registered individuals from this pool will be given to teams who need or want players for their team roster. Persons who agree to have their names placed in the player pool understand that they will be assigned a teamIf a player is contacted by a team and the player declines to play, that player will be deleted from the player pool after verification of the Executive Board.

SCHEDULING/STANDINGS

A. The season and its dates are to be determined by the league Executive Board. Generally the Board anticipates the season will run from April to October, and may be comprised of individual sessions.

B.  Games are anticipated to be scheduled for Sunday evenings between 5pm and 10pm. Game times may not be changed without the advance consent of an Executive Board member. Teams not ready to play 10 minutes after their scheduled start time will be forfeited. .

C. Duration of games- Games shall consist of two twenty-five minute halves with a five-minute half-time intermission.

D. Standings & Score Reporting: There shall be no recorded scores or standings for this league.

E.  Withdrawn Teams: If a team disbands, or for any reason does not play its scheduled games, the team will forfeit all dues and fees.

Section III: GAME RULES

Current International rules (F.I.F.A.) shall be in effect except as specifically stated otherwise in these rules. The Executive Board of the CMCRSL will be the final authority on any point covered by these rules of play or by F.I.F.A. rules.

GENERAL GAME PLAY

A. PLAYERS ON THE FIELD Each team shall have 9 players on the field and a goalkeeper. There must be a minimum of 2 female players on the field at all times. If a team is unable to field 2 female players, the number of players on the field will be reduced.


B.     Slide tackling of any sort, regardless whether of contact with the ball or opposing player is not allowed and shall result in a direct kick for the opposing team.

C.     Prior to the game, the team representative of each team shall furnish the referee with the team roster and their I.D. cards (I.D. cards presented electronically are acceptable). Referee shall verify players with I.D. cards and verify that all players have proper uniform (colored shirts). A player properly listed on the official line-up shall be considered as a competing player, whether or not he/she plays. Any player included on the team roster may be in the line-up and may play in the game. A minimum of seven (7) players per team is required to play the game. If a team fails to show-up 15 minutes after the scheduled starting time, the missing team will forfeit the game. Furthermore, any team refusing or failing to play a game in compliance with league rules will be subjected to the same penalties. A team appearing but unable to field at least seven (7) players will forfeit the game and lose points. If neither team can field seven (7) players then a double forfeit will occur.

D.    SUBSTITUTIONS Unlimited substitutions may be made during game play or at the following times:

·         Prior to any throw-in at which time both teams have substitutions

·         Prior to a throw-in by your team

·         Prior to a goal kick by either team

·         After a goal by either team

·         After an injury by either team when the referee stops play

·         A player receiving a yellow card during the game MUST be substituted immediately. The opposing team may substitute one for one. No player may leave the field of play without consent of the referee.

·         A player receiving a red card must leave the field immediately and cannot be substituted for the remainder of the game.

The referee must indicate his/her permission before substitutions can enter the field of play. There are no free keeper substitutions.

An injured player must be substituted if he/she is down and the referee stops the play. The injured player may return to the game on the next substitution at the referee’s discretion. Goalkeepers are exempt from this rule. A player who is bleeding must be substituted. He/she may return once the bleeding has been properly covered.

UNIFORM & EQUIPMENT

A.   BALL The ball for each game will be a size #5 ball. Each team will be responsible for brining a game ball to every game.

B.   UNIFORMS Players must be in uniform for each game. Uniforms consist of matching colored shirts of a league approved color. Any players not in uniform will not be allowed to play the match. All players are required to shin guards.


C. TEAM COLOR Each team must list their shirt color at registration. No two teams may register the same color. Which team keeps a color shall be based on seniority within the league. Change in team uniform color must be approved by the league’s registrar.

D. OTHER A player shall not wear anything that is considered dangerous by the referee to other players or themselves. This rule shall be enforced by all referees.

POSTPONEMENT/RESCHEDULING

A. No team representative (including the captain) shall have the right to cancel, postpone, add or change the field of play or make any changes to any scheduled game for any reason without consulting a member of the Executive Board.

B. Referees will have the right to decide whether or not a field is playable. Teams that do not show up with enough players to start a game within 15 minutes of the scheduled start time, regardless of the referees’ decision, will forfeit the game.

C. The Executive Board may decide to cancel the full schedule of games no later than 90 minutes than the first scheduled game start time.

D. Any team that forfeits a game prior to the start of the game must call the opposing team’s representative, and the President or Vice President. The President or Vice President will notify the referees of the cancellation and will confirm with the opposing team.

E.  In the event of a rain delay, the game may be delayed at the discretion of the referee. If the game cannot be played it will be rescheduled. In the case of an in-game stoppage, a decision must be made to resume play within 15 minutes. If the game goes any amount of time into the second half and is called due to inclement weather, the game is considered played and final.

F.  In the event of extenuating circumstances such as inclement weather, availability of field, or field being closed per the town, every attempt shall be made to reschedule the game at both the players and referee’s earliest convenience.

REFEREES

Referees shall be certified by the USSF and registered by MRC. For all playoff games there shall be a referee and two referee linesmen, preferably adults.

A. Authority: The referee shall be the sole judge on the field of play.

B. Rules of play: All referees shall be familiar with and honor these rules of play and the laws of the game as defined by F.I.F.A.

C. Attitude (from USSF): We expect good referees and linesmen to be firm but fair, authoritative but courteous, responsible yet cooperative. A referee gains the respect of all concerned if he is approachable, even when the approachability may be misused by some who may choose to express dissent. But we must not mistakenly identify permissiveness (which is weakness) as approachability (which combined with


firmness, is a great strength). Referees should be tolerant and supportive of fellow officials, even when disagreements about decisions arise. The courtesy extended to other participants in a game should not lead to too much fraternizing with players, coaches or other officials, for such actions can lead to a compromise of the referees’ principles.

D.   Order: The referee must maintain order before, during and after any game. Coaches and other team officials must support and assist the referee in that effort.

E.   Game Results: While scores and standings are not reported, the Referee may submit any comments deemed necessary.

F.    Inclement weather: Before going to the field of play, if there is any doubt as to the field playability, the referee shall contact the President, Vice President or team representative(s).

G.   The referee and teams must be present at the playing field fifteen (15) minutes prior to the scheduled game time.

H.   When the referee does not arrive within fifteen minutes after the scheduled kick-off, the team reps shall appoint an acting, certified referee to manage the game. Otherwise, the two teams will reschedule under mutual agreement. Team captains or representatives will notify league officers of any and all changes.

PROTESTS

A.   Referee’s decisions during the game cannot be protested.

B.   The Executive Board will hear and rule upon all protests. Such protests must be submitted, in writing, to the Secretary within 24 hours of the game in question.

C.   The Executive Board shall hold a hearing within three (3) days with the appropriate persons and/or refer to the protest official. All protests fall under the guidelines of FIFA.

D.   A member of the Executive Board shall be disqualified from deliberation or ruling upon a particular protest if that member was involved in the game as a coach, referee or player. In such scenarios, two eligible team representatives will be randomly selected on a case-by-case basis as alternates to participate in the ruling of the protest.

E. Deliberations and final decisions will be made in a closed session, and the Secretary will notify the involved parties as soon as possible. The Executive Board is to render a decision within seven (7) days of that hearing. Such decisions will be final and shall not be subject to appeal.

F. In the circumstance that a game is protested and played, the results of the game will stand. If the protest is upheld, the team that has been protested against will lose one point in the standings.

PENALTY CARDS:

The CMCRSL uses a point system as follows:


·         SEASON: Red card=3 points Yellow card=1 point

·         Any accumulation of three (3) points will result in the player being suspended from the next scheduled game.

·         TWO (2) additional points will result in an additional suspension from the next scheduled game.

·         Any further points shall be brought before the Executive Board for review of the player’s conduct.

·         GAME: One (1) yellow card= immediate substitution

·         One (1) red card = immediate ejection from this game and premises and the player may not be substituted. The player may not attend the next scheduled game in any way.

Yellow and Red cards will be issued at the discretion of the Referee. Generally, a Yellow card will be issued if a player:

·            Persistently infringes the laws of the game

·            Is guilty of violent conduct

·            Shows with words or action, dissent with any decision of the referee

·            Is guilty of unsportsmanlike conduct

A Red card will be issued if a player:

·            Is guilty of a serious foul play

·            Is guilty of repeated violent conduct

·            Uses foul or abusive language

·            Is guilty of a repeated cautionable offense

Violent play is defined as any foul (pushing, attempts to kick opponent, etc.) regardless of whether it occurs in the area of primary play.

ALL CARD OFFENSES MUST BE REPORTED TO AN EXECUTIVE BOARD MEMBER ALONG WITH THE PLAYERS NAME, TEAM COLOR AND NUMBER (IF AVAILABLE) WHERE IT WILL THEN BE BROUGHT BEFORE THE EXECUTIVE BOARD FOR APPROPRIATE ACTION.

The Executive Board member will notify the league officers of any misconduct. The league will notify all parties concerned of any actions to be taken. If the Executive Board considers that the offense is of a serious nature, they shall hear the case of all parties concerned and decide on the appropriate action.

DISCRETIONARY PENALTIES

The Executive Board may recommend to the CMCRSL such penalties, up to and including banishment from the league for life, for act(s) of misconduct by a player or coach. Lesser penalties may be imposed.

FRACAS OR UNBECOMING CONDUCT

If a player, in or out of uniform, leaves the bench to take part in a fracas and is ejected by the referee, he/she shall be suspended for the remainder of the season. If any member of a team engages in unbecoming conduct which is brought to the attention of the Executive Board, the Standards Committee 

will investigate and make recommendations to the league to take appropriate action. This could involve banning such individuals from further league activities.


Reports of serious misconduct will be reported to and subject to the findings and resulting disciplinary actions recommended by Mass Soccer under the Mass Soccer Disciplinary: Play Misconduct Policy and/or SafeSport

REFEREE SUPPORT and CONTROL OF SPECTATORS

·              It is the responsibility of the captains and reps to maintain the highest standards of conduct for them self and their players, as well as any and all supporters at all matches. Abusive and obscene language, violent play, violent conduct, fighting and other behavior will not be tolerated.

·              It is also the responsibility of the captains and reps to fully support the referee at all times.

·              In cases where the fans are, in the opinion of the referee, getting out of hand (verbal abuse to the referee, opposing players, coaches or spectators) the referee has the power to stop the game and ask the appropriate rep to get his/her fans under control. In no case will the referee deal directly with a spectator.

·              If after the appropriate rep has tried to comply with the referees’ request and the problem still exist, the referee may terminate the game and make a full report to the President.

·              In cases where spectator affiliation cannot be determined, it is up to the team captains to collectively address the situation. If the situation is not corrected, the referee, again, may terminate the game.

·              Spectators are expected to stay 5 yards from the touch line. No spectators will be allowed behind the goals or end lines.

·              Penalties for unruly fans will be recommended by the Executive Board to the CMCRSL, and could include having a team play without spectators, suspension of a team from the league, or requiring a team to play without any spectator support.

CONDUCT

A. Good Sportsmanship: A person who can take a loss or defeat without complaint, or win without gloating, and who treats her opponents with fairness, generosity and courtesy, is a good sportsman. Players gain from learning, experiencing and exercising good sportsmanship. All captains, reps and referees are expected to encourage and promote it. All participants in CMCRSL games will conduct themselves in a sportsmanlike manner. Unsportsmanlike conduct by coaches, players or spectators is not acceptable. The Executive Board will take appropriate action when necessary.

B. The League, when officially notified, shall wholly recognize a player suspension or similar ruling.

C. Any player, captain, or spectator that assaults a referee shall be expelled from the CMCRSL for life.

PLAY-OFFS  

There will be no play-off or post-season games played.

ANNUAL MEETINGS

One meeting shall be held prior to the commencement of each season. The primary purpose of this meeting will be to communicate fees for the current season, set deadlines, and review and update By-laws and game rules by the League Voting Policies.


One meeting will be held after the of end of the season each year. Elections for league officers will take place at this meeting.