A. GENERAL

1. FIFA Laws of the Game shall apply accept as amended herein.

2. Lack of knowledge of these WAGS Rules will not relieve any Coach, Team Official, Parent or Player of a team    participating in WAGS, or seeking entry into WAGS, from the responsibilities and possible penalties herein. ALL CLUBS, TEAM OFFICIALS, PARENTS AND PLAYERS, BY PARTICIPATING IN WAGS PLAY,AGREE TT THEY ARE BOUND BY THESE RULES.

3.  The USYSA Seasonal Year runs from September 1 through August 31 of the following calendar year and shall  be comprised of two (2) WAGS seasons of play, Fall and Spring.

4. The Fall WAGS season of play commences with the first league game of the season and terminates with the  completion of the last WAGS league game. The Spring WAGS season of play commences with the first league game of the season and terminates with the completion of the last WAGS league game.

5. The USYSA Registration Pass is for the seasonal year, September 1, 1997 to August 1, 1998.

B. AFFILIATION

WAGS shall be affiliated with the Maryland State Youth Soccer Association (MSYSA) and the Virginia Youth Soccer Association (VYSA) or their successor organization with respect to United States Youth Soccer (USYSA).

C. CLUB ENTRY AND OBLIGATIONS

1. Entry of a new Club into WAGS must be approved by the Club Representatives. New Clubs must submit the official "WAGS New Club Entry Form" which will include but not be limited to the following information: Club      name, officers, geographic information, history of the Club and the teams to entered and referee availability.      In  addition, the Club must provide written proof of field availability (fields must be of appropriate size and         the necessary amount to support the number of teams entered).

a. Entry forms must be received at the WAGS office by January 2nd or June 1st for WAGS Club Representative action at respective January or June Club Representative meetings with the actual dates to be set by the WAGS President.

b. Once entry of the Club is approved, they may enter teams or apply for the waiting list depending on age  group space availability.

2. A Club should make a genuine effort to see that the fields and goals are in accordance with FIFA Laws of the  Game. Any field and corresponding goals accepted and scheduled by the League is, by definition, acceptable equipment. FIELD SIZE WILL NOT BE A MATTER FOR PROTEST.

D. REGISTRATION

1.  Administration

a.  The WAGS President shall designate a Registrar(s) each season of WAGS play for each member club.

b.  Each member Club Representative shall be responsible for registering participating teams and for obtaining the USYSA Registration Forms from their designated WAGS Registrar.

c.  A WAGS team may only go to its designated WAGS Registrar for any transactions (add, previously rostered players, releases, travel, team officials, etc.). If the designated Registrar is not available, the team may go to any other WAGS designated Registrar within its state or may, in extreme cases, go to the appropriate State Registrar.

2.  Team Rosters

a.  The Official State Association Team Roster or a WAGS Provisional Roster shall be used for WAGS play.The Roster shall be submitted, to the designated Registrar, with an original and five (5) copies for Maryland teams, and an original and four (4) copies for Virginia teams, along with completed USYSA Player Passes. See your Registration Manual for requirements of proof of birth. Every team must designate at least three (3) participating adults to assume responsibility for the team.

b.  A MSYSA WAGS Roster may not contain more than three (3) multiple-rostered (secondary) players.

3. Player Eligibility and Team Composition

a.  A maximum of eighteen (18) eligible players may be listed on a roster at any time. Each player listed must  be registered with the State Association in which she resides with her parent(s) or guardian(s). A  minimum of seven (7) players must be listed on a roster in order for a team to be duly constituted.

b.  An ineligible player is one who is in violation of any of the provisions of sections D or E of these rules or  has been otherwise suspended by action of the R & D Committee.

c.  A team official is any non-participating person whose name appears on the Official State Roster or in League records.

d.  Any player in WAGS must have a valid and current USYSA Player Pass.

e.  Clubs MAY provide, along with the required WAGS Membership and Fees Forms, a copy their Official State Association Roster denoting the returning players. If a roster is not submitted, said team(s) will be considered a new WAGS team (s) and subject to Wait List procedures described in Section G.

4. Transfers and Adds

a.  All additions of USYSA registered players MSYSA or VYSA Official State Rosters at any time during the  year are deemed transfers.

b.  A team may add up to three (3) transferred players during a USYSA seasonal year .

c.  Completed MSYSA or VYSA Player/Team Status Forms must be approved by the designated Registrar  before the player will be eligible to play, in any game, for the gaining team.

d.  Any appeal by the losing team shall be refereed to the WAGS President for action. If the transfer appeal  is upheld, WAGS, MSYSA, or VYSA sanctions apply.

e.  A player may be listed as an eligible player on only one Official State Roster for WAGS league play and,  if listed on a roster at the beginning of league play, may not transfer to any other WAGS team for league play during that WAGS season. However, if a player has been officially voluntarily or involuntarily released from an Official State Roster prior to the beginning of league play and this voluntary or involuntary release has been signed and dated by the designated Registrar on the Player/Team Status Form and the Official State Roster, then that player may transfer to another WAGS team during that season.

f.  A team wishing to add unregistered players to its Roster must submit its original and five (5) copies (MSYSA), or original and four (4), copies (VYSA) listing the additions, completed USYSA Registration Passes with appropriate proof of birth to their designated Registrar.

g.  If a team disbands, the coach of that team must turn in the Official State Roster and USYSA Player  Passes to the designated Registrar. Notification must also be given to the WAGS President. Players of a disbanded team are USYSA registered players and those that wish to play with another team are considered to be TRANSFERS and should be performed in accordance with the rules set forth in the WAGS Registration Manual.

5. Disbanded Teams

If your team disbands during the course of a seasonal year, you must first notify the League President and second turn in your original Official State Roster and USYSA Player Passes in to your designated Registrar. Under no circumstances are you to give the team players their player passes. They must be turned in to the Registrar for safekeeping.

6. WAGS Provisional Roster

a.   A WAGS Provisional Roster may be used by a member club wishing to form a TEMPORARY team due to: (1) high school play, or (2) other extenuating circumstances.

b.   Procedure for approval for a WAGS Provisional Team:

1.  The Club Representative must contact the WAGS President requesting permission to use a WAGS  Provisional Roster.

2.  The WAGS President will send appropriate Request form to the Club Representative.

3.  The completed Request Form will be returned by the Club Representative to the WAGS President for  approval.

4.  Upon approval, the WAGS President will forward the WAGS Provisional Roster to the Coach.

5.  The Coach will take the completed Provisional Roster and two (2) copies, along with completed USYSA  Player Passes, to the designated Registrar.

c.  The WAGS Provisional Roster is for WAGS League play ONLY!! All players on a Provisional Roster must  have a USYSA Player Pass. There shall be a maximum of eighteen (18) players with no deletions to the Roster. No changes to the WAGS Provisional Roster are permitted after the season begins.

E. RECRUITMENT

"Any team PARTICIPATING in WAGS play, or being formed for WAGS play, ACTING THROUGH
ITS COACHES, TEAM OFFICIALS, PARENTS AND PLAYERS, which ATTEMPTS TO INDUCE ANY
PLAYER - listed on a valid team roster of another WAGS, VYSA, or MSYSA team - TO LEAVE
HER TEAM SHALL BE DEEMED TO HAVE RECRUITED THAT PLAYER."

1.  Code of Conduct

a.  Any team may conduct publicly announced open tryouts to acquire players. Any player, or parents or  guardians acting in behalf of their child, may initiate direct contact with any WAGS team for the purpose of joining that team.

b.  No coach, team official, players or parents of players within WAGS, regardless of any other team  affiliation/association (including but not limited to WAGS Provisional Rosters, amateur leagues, High School Soccer and Olympic Development Programs) shall initiate any form of contact with a prospective player who is listed on the roster of a WAGS affiliated team with the intent of recruiting that player.

c.   Invitations to players listed on valid rosters for play on WAGS Provision Roster, out-of-league play, such  as indoor, guest players for tournaments etc., must be initiated through that player’s coach.

d.  If coaches, team officials, parents, or players do not abide by this Code of Conduct, the team shall be  deemed to have recruited the player.

e.  Code of Conduct violations must be reported to the R & D Director.

2.  Recruitment Complaints

a.   Complaints shall be submitted, in writing, by the coach, to the R&D Director within thirty (30) days of  the attempted or actual alleged recruiting, following the procedures outlined on the WAGS "Recruitment Complaint Form". Submission of this form is required before any actions will be taken by the R&D Director and his/her Committee.

b.  The R&D Director will determine the validity of the complaint based on a strict interpretation of
Section E of the WAGS Rules. He will assemble the R&D Committee to hear a valid complaint.

3. Recruitment Sanctions

IF A COACH, TEAM OFFICIAL, PLAYER, OR PARENTS ACTING ON
BEHALF OF THE TEAM IS ACCUSED OF RECRUITMENT, THEN
IT IS THE COACH WHO IS ULTIMATELY RESPONSIBLE.

a.   If the R&D Committee determines that the coach (see above) has recruited a player, then the mandatory  suspension for the first offense is a MINIMUM THREE (3) GAME SUSPENSION.

b.   In the event the sanctioned coach is no longer associated with the team for which the sanction has been  imposed, the coach shall serve the suspension for any and all other teams he/she is associated and shall  serve that suspension in order of game sequence as established by the WAGS League Schedule.

c.   Subsequent recruiting violations will result in AT LEAST a five (5) game suspension for each incident (all  provisions in (b) above apply).

F. AGE DIVISIONS

     Under 19 Players born on or after August 1, 1978        Under 14 Players born on or after August 1, 1983
      Under 18 Players born on or after August 1, 1979        Under 13 Players born on or after August 1, 1984
      Under 17 Players born on or after August 1, 1980        Under 12 Players born on or after August 1, 1985
      Under 16 Players born on or after August 1, 1981        Under 11 Players born on or after August 1, 1986 *
      Under 15 Players born on or after August 1, 1982

* All WAGS U-11 teams must have a minimum of seven (7) players born August 1, 1986 through July 31,1987
and NO player shall be registered who was born on or after August 1, 1988.

G. DIVISION SIZE & STRUCTURE

The WAGS Board of Directors shall determine Division Structure
prior to each season with the goal of providing balanced
competition in each Division.

1. Division size

a.  Age Groups shall have no more than 50 teams.

b.  Age Group U-11, beginning in the Fall of 1998 shall have no limits on the number of teams entered  except for limitations placed on clubs by G.2. below.

c.  Age groups which presently have more than the maximum number indicated above will have teams              dropped in accordance with G.3. below.

2.   Each club shall be allowed a maximum two (2) teams in each Age Group. A club may petition the WAGS Board  of Directors to add an additional EXISTING WAGS team to their club. Teams from Clubs with presently more  than two (2) teams in an Age Group will be allowed to remain in WAGS. Clubs may only add a second team to an Age Group or Age Group Waiting List if its existing team in that same Age Group is currently playing in one of  the top three (3) divisions. If a Club’s two (2) teams are in the top three (3) divisions, they may request a waiver from the WAGS Board of Directors to add a third team to a waiting list.

3.   At the close of each Season, each Age Group will drop the last five (5) teams from its lowest division, provided  however that there are sufficient teams on the Waiting List to bring the Age Group up to its maximum size 50 teams.

4.   Teams in the U-11 through U-14 Age Groups are expected to play both Seasons each seasonal year. Any team  in these Age Groups not playing a Season must reapply as a new team through the Waiting List.

 
5.   Beginning with the 1998 - 1999 Seasonal Year, the U-11 Age Group entry will be unlimited except that no club can enter more than two (2) teams. At the end of the following spring Season, if the division has more than 50  teams, the division will automatically be reduced to the maximum 50 teams allowed.

6.  A Waiting List will be created for any Age Division with 54 or fewer teams. The WAGS President will notify the Club Representatives of the establishment of a Waiting List and applications will be accepted as follows:

a.  If the Division reached 54 or fewer at the end of the Fall Season (in compliance with G.3.). notification of establishment of a Waiting List will be sent out by January 15th and applications  received by the WAGS Office between that date and March 1st following will be entered onto the Waiting List by lottery.

b.  If the Division reached 54 or fewer at the end of the Spring Season (in compliance with G.3.),  notification of establishment of a Waiting List will be sent out by June 15th and applications received by  the WAGS Office between that date and September 1st following will be entered onto the Waiting List  by lottery.

c.  Once the Age Division Waiting List is set up, it will remain open and applications for the addition to the  List will be accepted at any time. Applications received after the March 1st and September 1st dates will be added to the List on a first come basis with a lottery determining the order of those applications received on the same date.

d.  Teams will be accepted into WAGS from the top of the Waiting List.

e.   Waiting List applications must be submitted by a WAGS club on the official "WAGS Wait List Application Form". This form shall include Age Group and Division request information, names and address of three  contacts etc.. Each application must be accompanied by a check for $200.00 made  payable to WAGS.  Each check will be deposited by WAGS and will be applied to fees due WAGS upon team’s acceptance into the League.

f.  A club may withdraw a team from the Waiting List and receive a full refund of the $200.00 application fee. However, no refund will be made to any club that withdraws a Wait Listed team after receiving  notification of that team’s acceptance into the WAGS League. WAGS fees (minus State Association fees) paid for a team that withdraws after acceptance will also be forfeited.

7.    For an Age Group under 50 teams. WAGS will collect  new entrants, on or before the league deadline date, so long as the number of teams does not exceed 50 teams. If the number of new entrants causes the total number of teams to exceed the maximum, a lottery will determine those teams accepted into the league and  those that shall be placed on the Waiting List.

H. STANDINGS & AWARDS

1.  A team’s standings in its division will be determined by the number of points it receives based on its win/loss  record during the season. Points will be awarded as follows:

                                               Three (3) points for a Win
                                               One (1) point for a Tie
                                               Zero (0) points for a Loss

2.  In the case of a tie at the end of the regularly scheduled season, final standings will be determined on the  basis of the following tie-breaker sequence:

                a. Head to Head
                b. Most Wins
                c. Fewest goals allowed
                d. Fewest Red Cards
                e. Co-Champions/Co-Runners-Up

3.  Individual awards shall be awarded to the First and Second place teams within each age group.

4.  If a team withdraws from WAGS during the season of play, all scores and point records for or in connection   with that team shall be nullified and all games played or scheduled to be played shall be recorded as a "BYE"      for the opposing team.

5.  If a team forfeits more than two (2) games during the WAGS season of play, that team will be considered to  have withdrawn from the league.

I. GAME INFORMATION

1.    General

        U-19 August 1, 1979 & Younger          Forty-five (45) minute halves           Size 5 Ball
        U-17 August 1, 1980 & Younger          Forty-five (45) minute halves           Size 5 Ball
        U-16 August 1, 1981 & Younger          Forty (40) minute halves                Size 5 Ball
        U-15 August 1, 1982 & Younger          Forty (40) minute halves                Size 5 Ball
        U-14 August 1, 1983 & Younger          Thirty-five (35) minute halves          Size 5 Ball
        U-13 August 1, 1984 & Younger          Thirty-five (35) minute halves          Size 5 Ball
        U-12 August 1, 1985 & Younger          Thirty-five (35) minute halves          Size 4 Ball
        U-11 August 1, 1986 & Younger          Thirty-five (35) minute halves          Size 4 Ball

There will be a five (5) minute half-time interval in all games

2. Substitution

Except as noted, substitutions shall be unlimited with the prior consent of the referee at the following times:
      
   a.  Prior to a throw-in when the ball is in possession of the team substituting;

   b.   Goal-kick - Either team;

   c.  After a goal has been scored and prior to the succeeding kick-off;

   d.   During the half-time interval;

   e.   Injury. If an injured is substituted, the opposing team may substitute one-for-one;

   f.  For a cautioned (Yellow Card) player at the time the caution is issued.

3.   Official Roster and Coach/Team Official/Player Passes

Each coach must have a current Official Roster, USYSA Player Passes and appropriate Coach/Team Official         Passes at every game. Prior to the start of the game, the referee or linesman is required to check player passes against each player. This requirement is not optional and a referee’s refusal to check players passes shall be immediately reported to the League following the game. A coach has the right to check the other team’s player passes against the roster, before or after the game.

Failure to produce either the USYSA Player Passes, Team Official Passes and the Official
State Roster (or WAGS Provisional Roster) within the League’s 15 minute grace period shall
result in a forfeit. The score shall be recorded as a 0-1 loss for the forfeiting team.

4.   Official Game Report Card

Prior to the beginning of each game, opposing coaches shall be responsible for completing the Official Game  Report Card to be supplied by the home team. The Game Report card will be delivered to the referee prior to the kick-off. The referee is responsible for forwarding the Game Report Card to WAGS. Referees must include details of any action for which they awarded a Red or Yellow Card, or terminated or refused to start  a match.

5.   Referee No-Show

If an assigned referee fails to appear within fifteen (15) minutes of the scheduled kick-off time, and the  opposing coaches mutually agree to a volunteer referee, the game shall be played and the results of the game shall be official (please denote on the Game Report Card the use of a volunteer referee). If the opposing coaches are unable to agree on a volunteer referee, the home team will notify the Division Coordinator or the WAGS President no later than 7:00 p.m. of the same day. THE GAME WILL BE RESCHEDULED BY THE WAGS PRESIDENT OR SUCH PERSON DESIGNATED BY THE WAGS PRESIDENT.

6.  Cancellations and Rescheduling

a.  The WAGS President is authorized to cancel an entire day’s schedule due to field conditions. Whenever  possible, Club Representatives and referees will be notified of cancellations, at least, two (2) hours prior to kick-off. The Club Representatives are responsible for notifying their teams involved.

b.  For SATURDAY and SUNDAY games, a Club Representative may judge fields under their responsibility to  be unplayable due to weather or other conditions. If Club Representatives designate fields unplayable, it shall be their responsibility to notify the WAGS President (or designee) AT LEAST three (3) hours prior to kick-off. Club Representatives are responsible for notifying their coaches as well. The home team coaches must the notify their opponents and Division Coordinator.

c.   For WEEKDAY games, the home team coach may judge the fields under their responsibility to be unplayable due to weather conditions. If the home team coach declares the field unplayable, it shall be his/her responsibility to notify the WAGS President (or designee) at least three (3) hours prior to kick-off. The home team coach is responsible for notifying his/her opponent and Division Coordinator.

d.  Games with State Cup conflicts or High School soccer conflicts that reduce the Team's roster to fewer than eleven (11) may be rescheduled.  It is the High School/Cup participant's responsibility to notify immediately the WAGS President (or designee) and his/her opponent of the conflict.  Failure to do so will result in an automatic league forfeit.  Failure may also result in a fine, equal to that of a complete game's fees, to the offending team.

e.  All rescheduling of games will be done be the WAGS President or such person designated by the WAGS  President for this purpose.

J. Team Obligations

In the case of a cancellation, approved by the WAGS President, due to High School Soccer, State Cup, or forfeiture it is the responsibility of the coach of the team causing the cancellation/forfeit to notify their opponent (AFTER NOTIFYING THE WAGS PRESIDENT).  Failure to do so will result in an automatic forfeit.  Failure may also result in a fine equal to that of a complete game's fees, to the offending team.

1.   The home team coach is responsible for contacting the opposing coach at least 72 hours prior to the game to verify location, time, and uniform color.

2.   If there is a color conflict in the uniform, the home team, PRIOR TO THE GAME, shall be responsible for  resolving this conflict.

3.   Player uniform shirts (except that of the goalkeeper) must clearly display a unique player number which  corresponds to the player number for that player as shown on the Official State Roster (or WAGS Provisional Roster).   The player number on the uniform shirt must be displayed the shirt back and sized between six (6) inches and eight (8) inches high.   A team's failure to comply with this rule shall result in a forfeiture to the opposition by a score of 1-0.

4.  In accordance with FIFA Laws of the Game, shin guards will be MANDATORY equipment for all players in all  WAGS games.

5.  The home team is to provide the game ball, a PROPERLY LINED AND CUT FIELD, nets and corner flags.

6.  a.  For purpose of these rules, prepared shall include: lined, cut, nets corner flags in place; and, playable  shall mean: available and safe for game play in the judgement of the referee.

    b.  Violations due to a lapse in responsibility may result in game forfeiture or loss of the opportunity to host future home games.

    c.  If, on game day, a game is moved from the scheduled field to another field - with the agreement of both  coaches and the referee - the home team for that game remains responsible for the preparation of the scheduled field or notification of the change to the coaches of the following games.

    d.  For extenuating circumstances not involving a lapse in responsibility on the part of the home team or club, the R&D Director, in consultation with WAGS President, may waive penalties.

7.   Sidelines - Under 12 and Younger Age Groups

a.   Competing teams, with their coaches, team officials and supporters shall take opposite sides of the pitch.

b.   Coaches of each team may provide instructions to their players during a game from their respective sidelines only.

c.  All spectators, coaches and sideline players must stay clear of the touch line between corner of the 18 yard extension of the penalty box and clear of the goal line.

d.  THE REFEREE OR LINESMEN MAY, AT ANY TIME, RESTRICT THE SIDELINE MOVEMENT OF COACHES, PLAYERS AND SPECTATORS.

8.   Sidelines - Under 13 and Older Age Groups

a.   Competing teams, with their CARDED coaches and CARDED team officials (maximum four (4) per team),  shall take the same side of the pitch, each on either side of the midfield line.

b.   Spectators for both teams shall take the opposite side of the pitch. The game officials will be responsible  for enforcing these rules.

c.  All coaches, sidelined players, team officials, and spectators must stay clear of the touch line between the corner and the 18-yard extension of the penalty box, and clear of the goal line.

d.  All coaches and team officials will be restricted from the 18-yard line to their side of the midfield line.

e.  THE REFEREE OR LINESMEN MAY, AT ANY TIME, RESTRICT THE SIDELINE MOVEMENT OF COACHES, TEAM OFFICIALS, PLAYERS AND SPECTATORS.

9.    When at all possible, a chalk line should be placed three (3) to five (5) yards behind the touch line to keep coaches, spectators and sidelined players back from the field and out of linesman’s way. ALL COACHES,  SPECTATORS AND SIDELINED PLAYERS ARE REQUIRED TO OBEY THIS CHALK LINE.

K. FORFEITS

If a team knows in advance that it will have to forfeit a game, the coach must notify the
WAGS President IMMEDIATELY as official notification to the League. Failure to do so may
result in a fine equal to that of a complete game’s fees.

1.   If a team cannot field a minimum of seven (7) players within (15) minutes after the scheduled kick-off time,  that team will forfeit the game. The game will be entered in the standings as a 0-1 loss for the forfeiting  team.

2.   In the event that neither team is able to field a minimum of seven (7) players, then the record will show a 0-1 loss for both teams.

3.  Any team found to be responsible for the referee abandoning a match will forfeit that game and the record will  show a 0-1 loss for that team.

4.  Failure to produce the USYSA Player Passes, Team Officials Passes and Official State Roster (or WAGS Provisional Roster), within the league’s fifteen (15) minute grace period, shall result in a forfeit. The score shall be recorded as a 0-1 loss for the forfeiting team.

5.  Failure to report to the WAGS President games in conflict with State Cup Competition will result in an           automatic forfeit.

6.  Failure to notify your opponent of game cancellation (State Cup or High School soccer conflict) or forfeiture  AFTER NOTIFYING THE LEAGUE PRESIDENT will result in an automatic forfeiture. Failure may also result in  fines equal to that of a complete game’s fees to the offending team.

7.  Failure to have uniform shirts clearly displaying a unique player number (except the goalkeeper) that corresponds  to the player number for that player listed on the Official State Roster (or WAGS Provisional Roster) shall result in an automatic forfeit.

8.   Failure of the home team to provide the game ball, a PROPERLY LINED AND CUT FIELD, nets and corner flags  may result in an automatic forfeit.

9.   If, on game day, a game is moved from the scheduled field to another field - and is agreed upon by both  coaches - the home team for that game is responsible for the set up of that field and notifying his/her opponent of the change. Failure to do so will result in an automatic forfeit.

10.  Failure of a coach/team official to remain out of sight, out of sound after receiving a Red Card may result in  an automatic forfeit.

11.  If the coach/team official receives a Red Card and is required to leave and there is no other responsible adult able to supervise the team, the game will result in an automatic forfeit.

12.  If a suspended coach is within sight and sound or a player participates in the game (s) for which they were  suspended, their team shall forfeit the game in question.

13.  For extenuating circumstances, the R&D Director, in consultation with the WAGS President, may waive  forfeiture.

14.  If a team forfeits more that two (2) league games during the WAGS season of play, that team will be  considered to have withdrawn from the league.

L. SCORE REPORTING

1.   The HOME TEAM coach is responsible for reporting the game results to his/her Division Coordinator within two  (2) hours after completion of games BUT NOT LATER THAN 7:00 p.m. that same day.

2.   The DIVISION COORDINATOR is responsible for reporting game results to his/her designated scorekeeper prior  to 8:00 p.m. that same day.

3.   The SCOREKEEPER will record all results for division standings.

4.   Failure to report the score may result in the loss of home games.

M. GAME CONDUCT

UNDER 12 AND YOUNGER AGE GROUPS
COACHES ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE CONDUCT OF THEIR PLAYERS, TEAM OFFICIALS,
AND SPECTATORS. IF A SPECTATOR’S CONDUCT WARRANTS THE ISSUANCE OF A
YELLOW AND/OR RED CARD, IT WILL BE CONSIDERED AS AWARDED TO THE COACH
AND REFERRED TO THE R&D DIRECTOR FOR ACTION.

UNDER 13 AND OLDER AGE GROUPS
UNDER 13 AND OLDER COACHES AND TEAM OFFICIALS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR
THE CONDUCT OF THEIR PLAYERS. RED AND YELLOW CARDS CAN BE ISSUED TO
COACHES/TEAM OFFICIALS AND PLAYERS.

1.   PHYSICAL VIOLENCE, FOUL AND ABUSIVE LANGUAGE, HARASSMENT OF PLAYERS OR REFEREES WILL NOT BE TOLERATED. The use of noise making or amplifying devices is PROHIBITED. Such conduct will be reported by the referee to the R&D Director even in situations where cards were not issued. Any incident of a player or coach issued a Red Card for physical violence, assault, or abuse directed against a referee or linesmen will be subject to an automatic review by the WAGS Board of Directors.

2.  The referee(s) are in complete charge of the field and adjacent areas from the time they arrive at the game  site until they depart. The referee(s) is empowered to:

a.  Rule on what equipment or accessories are considered dangerous;

b.  Issue Yellow or Red cards during that entire period;

c.  Terminate a game for coach, players, or spectator misconduct. The determination of the outcome of a  terminated game shall be the responsibility of the R&D Director, in consultation with WAGS President, under paragraph P.2 (b) through (d);

d.  Refuse to allow the game to be played if, in the referee’s judgement, the field is unplayable due to length  of grass, inadequate lines, or other impediments. Referees may depart the area certain of receiving their fee;

N. DISCIPLINARY ACTION

The coach of record of a WAGS team is the official
team representative to the league for R & D purposes.

1. Sanctions - Under 12 and Younger Age Groups

a.  A coach who receives a Red Card during a game shall IMMEDIATELY leave the game site and its vicinity.  In the event that the coach is required to leave and there is no other responsible adult able to supervise the team, the game shall be declared a forfeit in favor of the opposing team and entered in the standings as a 0-1 loss for the offending team.

b.  The following penalty points shall be assessed to coaches or players who are rewarded Yellow and/or Red  Cards:

1.    Yellow Card (Caution): Two (2) Points

2.    Red Card (Ejection): Five (5) Points

3.    If a player or coach receives a Red Card, the player/coach must be ejected and will be assessed  five (5) points.

4.    If a player or coach receives two (2) Yellow Cards in the same game, and the referee indicates  as such on the Game Report Card, then the player or coach is ejected from the game and will be assessed four (4) points. However, the player or coach is not suspended from the next WAGS game.

5.   No player or coach will be assessed more that five (5) points in any one game.

c.    A coach or player shall be suspended from WAGS participation because of the accumulation of the  penalty points during the season, whether assessed as the result of play in league competition, the Rael Vodicka Tournament, or in a sanctioned tournament sponsored by a WAGS member club, if the Tournament Director reports the Red and/or Yellow Cards to the WAGS R&D Director.

1.    Five (5) points or more but fewer than eight (8) - a one game suspension;
2.    Eight (8) points or more but fewer than (12) - an ADDITIONAL two game suspension;
3.    Twelve (12) points or more - an ADDITIONAL five game suspension.

The above schedule of sanctions shall not limit the authority of the R&D Committee to impose other conditions upon future participation or additional penalties for misconduct as deemed necessary and as described in paragraph P.2.

d.  Any team reaching a cumulative total of 12 or more points including any carry-over penalty points,  during a season will be subject to automatic review by the R&D Director. The team’s coach and club representative will be notified the team’s penalty point status. After a hearing in which the team’s  coach and club representative have a right to participate, the R&D Committee may take any additional  action deemed necessary as described in paragraph P.2. An accumulation of 21 points, including any carryover penalty points, may result in a team fine not to exceed that team’s League fee, and or may lose that team privilege of hosting home games. The Club is ultimately responsible for payment of the fine. The R&D Committee must conduct a hearing when a team accumulates 21 penalty points in one season.

e.  Fifty (50) percent of all the points, rounded down to the nearest whole number, assessed during a  WAGS season of play shall be carried forward to the next season in which that player, coach, or team  participates, irrespective of seasonal year.

f.  A coach must be out of sight, out of sound before, during and after a game for which the coach has  been suspended. A suspended player may attend the game provided that she is not in uniform and does  not play. If a suspended player or coach participates in the game(s) for which they were suspended, their team shall forfeit the game in question, by a score of 0-1.

g.  A suspension shall apply to the next WAGS League game which the team plays in instances in which the  next previously scheduled game is forfeited or postponed. All suspension actions shall carry forward until the entire suspension is served, irrespective of season. Players/Coaches who accumulate sufficient penalty points to warrant suspension at the end of one season will serve the suspension at the beginning of the next season.

h.  Penalty points and suspension will be assessed by the R&D Director. In instances of the issuance of red  card(s), the issuance of the card(s) shall constitute notification.  In instances of accumulation (points previously assessed from red and/or yellow cards) of penalty points requiring suspension, the coach of record for the offending party shall have this information verified by mail.  Also, in the case of suspension, the coach of the next opposing team(s) shall be informed by telephone prior to the next games.   In all other instances, accumulations of penalty points and relevant information will be conveyed monthly to the repective Club Representative.  Club Representatives will be expected to notify their club's coaches of accumulated penalty points.

2. Sanctions - Under 13 and Older Age Groups

a.    A coach/team official who receives a Red Card during a game shall IMMEDIATELY leave the game site  and its vicinity. In the event that all USYSA Carded coaches/team officials are required to leave, the   game shall be declared a forfeit in favor of the opposing team and entered in the standings as a 0-1  loss for the offending team.

b.   The following penalty points shall be assessed to coaches or players who are rewarded Yellow and/or Red Cards:

1.    Yellow Card (Caution): Two (2) Points

2.    Red Card (Ejection): Five (5) Points

3.    If a player or coach receives a Red Card, the player/coach must be ejected and will be  assessed five (5) points.

4.    If a player or coach/team official receives two (2) Yellow Cards in the same game, and the  referee indicates as such on the Game Report Card, then the player or coach/team official is ejected from the game and will be assessed four (4) points. However, the player or coach/team official is not suspended from the next WAGS game.

5.    No player or coach/team official will be assessed more that five (5) points in any one  game.

c.  A player or coach/team official shall be suspended from WAGS participation because of the accumulation of the penalty points during the season, whether assessed as the result of play in league competition, the   Rael Vodicka Tournament, or in a sanctioned tournament sponsored by a WAGS member club, if the Tournament Director reports the Red and/or Yellow Cards to the WAGS R&D Director.

1.    Five (5) points or more but fewer than eight (8) - a one game suspension;

2.    Eight (8) points or more but fewer than (12) - an ADDITIONAL two game suspension;

3.    Twelve (12) points or more - an ADDITIONAL five game suspension.

The above schedule of sanctions shall not limit the authority of the R&D Committee to impose other conditions upon future participation or additional penalties for misconduct as deemed necessary and as described in paragraph P.2.

d.  Any team reaching a cumulative total of 12 or more points including any carry-over penalty points, during  a season will be subject to automatic review by the R&D Director. The team’s coach and club representative will be notified the team’s penalty point status. After a hearing in which the team’s coach/team official, club representative, and offending players must participate, the R&D Committee may take any additional action deemed necessary as described in paragraph P.2. An accumulation of 21 points, including any carryover penalty points, may result in a team fine not to exceed that team’s League fee, and or may lose that team privilege of hosting home games. The Club is ultimately responsible for payment of the fine. The R&D Committee must conduct a hearing when a team accumulates 21 penalty points in one season.

e.   Fifty (50) percent of all the points, rounded down to the nearest whole number, assessed during a WAGS   season of play shall be carried forward to the next season in which that player, coach, or team participates, irrespective of seasonal year.

f.   A coach/team official must be out of sight, out of sound before, during and after a game for which the  coach/team official has been suspended. A suspended player may attend the game provided that she is not in uniform and does not play. If a suspended player or coach/team official participates in the game(s) for which they were suspended, their team shall forfeit the game in question, by a score of 0-1.

g.   A suspension shall apply to the next WAGS League game which the team plays in instances in which the   next previously scheduled game is forfeited or postponed. All suspension actions shall carry forward until  the entire suspension is served, irrespective of season. Players/Coaches/Team Officials who accumulate  sufficient penalty points to warrant suspension at the end of one season will serve the suspension at the beginning of the next season.

h.   Penalty points and suspension will be assessed by the R&D Director. In instances of the issuance of red   card(s), the issuance of the card(s) shall constitute notification.  In instances of accumulation (points previously assessed from red and/or yellow cards) of penalty points requiring suspension, the coach of record for the offending party shall have this information verified by mail.  Also, in the case of suspension, the coach of the next opposing team(s) shall be informed by telephone prior to the next games.   In all other instances, accumulations of penalty points and relevant information will be conveyed monthly to the repective Club Representative.  Club Representatives will be expected to notify their club's coaches of accumulated penalty points.

O. PROTEST & APPEALS PROCEDURES

1.   Players, Coaches and Team Officials

a.  The referee’s judgment in issuing a card is not grounds for protest and may not be appealed. The only  basis for protest shall be whether a card was issued in accordance with the FIFA Laws of the Game, as modified by the WAGS Rules, or that the point award, assessment, or suspension was not in accordance  with these rules.

b.  A card may be protested and point awards, assessments and suspensions may be appealed to the R&D  Committee. The written protest/appeal must be accompanied by a $100.00 fee (cash, money order or  certified check) for each card appealed, not to exceed $300.00, and delivered to the R&D Director by the second day following the issuing of the card (s)

c.   Written statements may be gathered from other parties to include spectators. The person assessed penalty   points may be required to appear at an Appeal hearing, and if so required, failure to appear will result in   the rejection of the appeal. The appeal fee shall be refunded only if the Committee reduces the initial award of the R&D Director.

d.   A rejection of an appeal of assessments or suspensions may be further appealed to the WAGS Board of  Directors without additional payments if the WRITTEN APPEAL is delivered to the WAGS President by  the second day after notification of the initial appeal’s rejection.

e.   Upon the receipt of an adverse decision, an appeal may be made to the next higher authority, which is the State Youth Soccer Association of the State (MSYSA or VYSA) in which the game was played with the appropriate appeal fee.

f.   SUSPENSIONS LEVIED BY THE R&D COMMITTEE WILL BE HELD IN ABEYANCE UNTIL ACTION OF THE WAGS APPEAL PROCESS IS COMPLETED.

2.  Protest of Game Results

Referee judgement is not a basis for protest rather only violations and misapplications
of the FIFA Laws of the  Game and as amended in these rules.

a.   A team may protest the outcome of a game by submitting the protest in writing by mail, postmarked by  the second day after the game, or personally delivered to the R&D Director, by the second day after the   game, along with a protest fee of $100.00 (cash, money order or certified check) for each subject of  protest and the reasons for such protest.

b.   If the protest is deemed valid by the R&D Director, he/she will notify the referee and the opposing  coach as soon as possible and organize a hearing of the Committee and request written statements from interested parties including referees and spectators. Written statements shall be the only evidence required to be considered by the Committee when rendering a decision, but the Committee may accept verbal statements or other evidence at their option at the hearing. Action which may be taken are:

1.     Refuse the protest.

2.     Cause a game to be replayed in its entirety.

3.     Award a game to an opponent by a score set by the Committee.

4.     Allow the score of a game, whether or not completed, to stand.

5.     For misconduct of both teams, enter a loss for both teams in the standings of the affected  Division.

THE PROTEST FEE WILL BE RETURNED ONLY IF THE PROTEST IS UPHELD!!

c.  A decision rendered by the Committee may be appealed, by either party, to the WAGS Board of Directors. Each appeal shall carry a fee of $100.00 (cash, money order or certified check) for each subject of appeal and must be postmarked or delivered personally into the hands of the WAGS President (or designee) by the second day after the receipt of the findings of the Committee. Board members present shall vote on the validity of the protest, a majority vote supporting the protest shall over-turn the Committee’s decision. All appeal fees shall be refunded only if the Board so votes.

d.   Upon the receipt of an adverse decision from the WAGS Board of Directors, appeal may be made to thenext higher authority, which is the State Youth Soccer Organization of the State organization (MSYSA or   VYSA) in which the game was played with the appropriate appeal fee.

e.   Matches terminated by a referee for reasons other than weather, act of God, or force majeure, (e.g., plane landing on field of play) may be reviewed by the League.

No player or team official may employ the aid of any lawyer or the courts of any State or
of the United States without first exhausting all available administrative remedies within
the body of organized soccer to include the appropriate State Association, USYSA, and USSF.

3.   Other situations not covered in these rules shall be disposed of by the R&D Director using procedures described  in paragraphs N & P.

P. RULES & DISCIPLINE COMMITTEE

1. The Rules and Discipline (R&D) Committee shall consist of the R&D Director and a standing committee of seven (7) members selected by the R&D Director and approved by the WAGS President prior to each season of play. A minimum of three (3) members must act on any one case. The R&D Director shall vote only in case of a tie. A member of the Committee cannot be from the same Club/Age Group as the individual(s) to which the hearing pertains nor, except for the R&D Director, shall any member of the WAGS Board of Directors be a member of the R&D Committee.

2. Disciplinary action may be taken by Committee against any player, team official, team or Club which failed to  abide by the Laws of the Game, the Articles of Incorporation, By-Laws or the League Rules of the Corporation.  The R&D Director shall keep appropriate records of all such actions and those records, along with the Laws and  Rule of the Corporation may be the basis for future disciplinary action.

ACTIONS WHICH MAY BE TAKEN AGAINST A PLAYER, TEAM OFFICIAL, TEAM OR CLUB INCLUDE;

a.  A verbal warning may be made by the R&D Director. A written record of such warning shall be made and may be referenced in any future actions against that party. A copy will be sent to the appropriate Club Representative

b.  A written censure may be sent to the offending party by the R&D Director. A copy of the censure shall be sent to the offending party’s coach or Club Representative, as appropriate.

c.  A player, team official, team, or club may be suspended for a number of games specifically identified to that party. A suspended player may not participate in any game for which she is suspended. Suspended team officials may not appear at the game site or its vicinity for which they are suspended. Failure to comply with a suspension will cause the game for which the suspension should have been served to be forfeited to the opposition by a score of 1-0.

d.  In extreme cases, upon the recommendation of the R&D Committee following a hearing and approval of the  WAGS Board of Directors, a player, team official, team, of club may be banned from WAGS participation  for a specified period of time. A banned person may not participate in any games or practice with their team during that period. A team which does not comply with this sanction may have all WAGS privileges removed.

Creation of a "new" team for WAGS play shall be limited to a maximum of six players from the banned team’s  roster, irrespective of seasonal year. The R&D Director will organize a hearing by the Committee and request        written statements from interested parties including evidence required to be considered by the Committee when      rendering a decision, but the Committee may accept verbal statements or other evidence at its option at the       hearing.