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North York Sports League: Rulebook

1.0 Registration

 

1.1 Team Registration 

1)  Pay a deposit of $500 to hold a spot. 

2) Team fees must be paid 2 weeks prior to first game. (May 14, 2023)  

 

  • Player Registration
  1. Each player must sign an official registration form provided by Ontario Soccer on payment of a fee set by your organization.
  2. Each player will be registered under Ontario Soccer.

A team may not play in any NYSL game or include on its team sheet (or game sheet) for an NYSL game, a player who was registered with, or transferred to, that team after Week 5. Players playing not registered after the Week 5 deadline will be deemed ineligible and may incur all associated fines.

3)   If a player has been paid to play professional (indoor or outdoor) soccer within the last 6 months, or is currently playing professionally, he/she is only eligible to play at the highest level in each league available

4)   Any player who is discovered to have lied about his/her identity or eligibility to play in any league will be suspended for a minimum of one year. All fees paid by a suspended player are non-refundable.
Note: Teams and team captains are responsible to confirm eligibility and/or identity of players and may be asked to show the acceptable forms of documents mentioned above prior to kick off.

 

1.3 Player/Team Eligibility

1)  All players/ team officials must be registered and on the game sheet.

 

1.4 Transfer of players

  1. May only occur by week 5.

 

  1. Players may play in division 1 and 2.  
  2.  Team captain must notify the league in writing to replace an injured player after week 5

 

2.0 Competition

 

2.1 Game Day 

1)  Should a League Official or opposing Team Manager find a team to be playing with an ineligible player at any time, the ineligible player will be ejected from the game. If a game has been completed (or scored a goal) in which an ineligible player has participated, the game points will be automatically awarded to the opposing team. 

 

2)  If the League determines that an ineligible player has been involved in any previous   league games, the points for each of those completed games will be awarded to the opposing teams. Teams found to be playing with ineligible players will be subject to discipline by the League.

 

  1. A team sheet must be completed, one copy handed to the Match official or Assistant Referee, and one copy handed to league coordinator. Save for provision of proof to the contrary, a player whose name appears on the team sheet shall be deemed to have played

 

  1. Each roster is set for a maximum of twenty-five (25) must be listed together with a Team Officials. Only persons listed on the team sheet are permitted to sit on the bench or in the designated technical area. 

 

Teams will incur a fine for any team sheet irregularity (See Appendix A).

 

  1.  Match Officials fees MUST be paid in cash after the game has been completed.

 

  1. In all competition under the jurisdiction of this League, unlimited substitutions shall be permitted. Substitutions are permitted as follows: Goal kick, scoring of a goal, half time, any team’s throw-in, and for injuries.

 

  1. Three points will be awarded for a win, one point for a tie, and no points for a loss. League standings will be decided by points gained.

 

  1. In the event of two or more teams finishing the schedule with an equal number of points, their final standings will be decided based on Head-to-Head points. If still tied, it will be decided by goals for and against.

 

  1. All games must start promptly. Match officials must see that this rule is enforced and report any breach of the rule on the game sheet. Games must not start later than fifteen (15) minutes after the scheduled kick-off time, unless a previous game is late finishing, or unless agreed to by the match officials. Such a game is in default by the team responsible for the delay.

 

  1.  No game shall start unless both teams can field seven players (one of whom must be identified as a goal keeper). A game shall be abandoned should a team be unable to continue with a least seven players on the field of play.

 

  1.  Team who shows up with less than 7 players will forfeit the match (subject to point 9 above), points will be given to the other team.

 

  1. All games should be of full regulation time, conditions and time permitting.

 

 If there is any doubt on the part of the respective captains and/or the match officials, agreement must be reached before the game to reduce the play time, to ensure that two equal halves can be played. If the two captains cannot agree, the match official will decide. If the first game of a double header is so late in starting that the playing of full regulation time would cause it to encroach on the allotted time for the second game, then the playing time of the first game must be reduced to enable the second game to play normal time. The reduced time must be of two equal periods.

 

  1. Games that are abandoned after the 60-minute mark due to weather will be                  considered complete and the score will be final. If the game must end before the 60-minmark, the game must be replayed from the start and score will restart (0-0)

 

  1.  If the agreed playing time in any game is not completed for any other reason, this must be reported by the match official on the team sheet. The Board of Directors shall determine the outcome of the game as follows: 

 

  1. Allow the score to stand. 
  2. Order the game to be replayed.
  3. Have the offending team default the game by a score of 1-0. 
  4. Subject the team or teams to other disciplines if applicable.

 

15)  No smoking or alcoholic beverages on NYSL fields as per city by-laws

 

  1.  Participants and spectators are to be advised that anyone who does not act or behave in an appropriate manner can be disqualified from participation in our leagues and also barred from entering our fields for future matches. Any such decision to bar any individual from our league will be the decision of the discipline committee and the general manager of the club and is NON-APPEALABLE! 

 

2.2 League Responsibility 

 

All organizations on whose grounds any game is being played under the jurisdiction of the NYSL: 

 

1)  Shall have their goal posts equipped with proper nets, and no wheels affixed to the structure of the net. 

 

2)  The field dimensions shall be as per FIFA regulations. The field must be marked off as required by the Laws of the Game and have four (4) corner flags which must be at least five feet in height when posted.

 

3)  Both teams will be responsible for providing two match balls of regulation size according to FIFA regulations, in satisfactory condition to the Match Official.

 

  1. In all games the first named team according to the official schedule will be considered the home team.

 

  1. Every team must at the time of registration, must play with the colours they registered with.

 

  1. In the case of similarity of colours, the AWAY team must change.

 

  1. In all games played under the jurisdiction of the North York Sports League or Ontario Soccer, all players shall wear numbered shirts. No two players on the team shall wear the same number. No player may change his number during a game, without the consent of the match official and this should be noted on the team sheet.

 

  1. Numbers shall be a minimum of eight inches in height, of contrasting colour from the body of the shirt and the number must be indicated against the player’s name on the team sheet. 

 

  1. Goalkeepers must wear a contrasting colour to both teams and the match officials.

 

  1.  All players must be uniformly attired with the same colour jersey, shorts and socks. The only exception is in the goalkeeper’s uniform. Any team that does not comply with this rule, as per the match official’s game report, will incur a fine (See Appendix A).

 

2.3 Default Games 

 

  1. In the event of a team defaulting a game, the game will be awarded to their opponents and the defaulting team shall pay the whole of the match officials’ fee and any other expenses reasonably incurred and will also be subjected to discipline by the NYSL. If the game was defaulted due to unforeseen circumstances, the Discipline Committee or Board of Directors may order the game to be replayed.

 

  1. In the event of a team not showing up for a game or failing to field a team with a minimum of 7 players (without prior notice to the league), a fine of $150 will be assessed against the “No Show” team. For the second offence in the same season a fine of $200 (See Appendix A). 

 

A “No Show” team is defined as any team who does not fulfill its scheduled or rescheduled games without the expressed permission of the NYSL Coordinators. If a team is unable to fulfill their league schedule at any time during the season the following will occur; 

 

  1. If they have played 50% of their scheduled league games all scores will remain, and the remaining games will be awarded 1-0 to opposing teams. 
  2.  if they have played less than 50% of their scheduled league games all scores and games will be deleted.

 

2.4 Changes and Reschedule of Games 

 

  1. If a game is cancelled for any reason the NYSL Coordinators will communicate to team captains when the game will be played. The game must be played at least one (1) calendar week prior to the end of the season and subject to approval from the NYSL office. 

 

  1. If a change of the date, time or field of a game is necessary, the NYSL office will advise the teams involved by telephone or e-mail with at least 48 hours’ notice to the organizations concerned.

 

  1. Games rescheduled may take place during the week. 

 

2.5 Playoffs 

 

  1. Quarter finals games and Semi-finals games if finished in a tie will go straight to kicks from the penalty mark.

 

  1. Cup finals, if score should be tied after regulation time will go straight to two fifteen-minute halves, and if still tied at that point will go to kicks from the penalty mark.

 

  1. All Cup and Playoff games shall be single games only. Should the score be tied after regulation time five penalty kicks shall be taken by each team, alternatively. 

 

The team scoring the most goals from such kicks shall be declared the winner. Should the teams be equal on the number of kicks, additional penalty kicks shall be taken alternatively by the two teams until one team has more goals than the other, after an equal number has been taken. If no winner has resulted after all members of the team have taken a penalty kick, the same rotation of players will start over. The Board of Directors may also rule that the game be replayed.

 

2.6 Promotion and Relegation 

 

  1. The champion team of 2nd Division shall be promoted into the NYSL 1st Division.

 

  • The team finishing in the last positions in the NYSL 1st Division will be relegated to the 2nd Division of the NYSL. 

 

  1. NYSL Coordinators may enact variations to the above rules provided they are approved by Ontario Soccer and are presented to the organizations in membership prior to the playing season.

 

  • Discipline 

 

  1. Players, or team officials reported for misconduct shall be dealt with by the NYSL, except as otherwise stipulated in Ontario Soccer Rules and Regulations. 

 

  1. In all cases of alleged assault on a match official by a player, or team official, they shall be suspended until the case has been dealt with by a Discipline Committee of NYSL. 

 

  1. Players, officials, and spectators can take part in, or attend matches on condition that they observe the constitution of the NYSL. 

 

  1. Every team has a duty of care owed to the NYSL for the action of its players, officials and spectators, and is required to take all precautions necessary to prevent spectators threatening or assaulting match officials and/or players. 

 

  1. No match official, assistant referee, player or official of any team shall bet on any soccer match under the jurisdiction of the NYSL. 

 

  1. In all discipline cases dealt with by NYSL, the party complained against shall have the right to appear, at their own expense, when the case is heard. 

 

  1. A player and/or team official dismissed off the field will have their case reviewed by the Discipline Committee at the NYSL office, commencing at 6:30pm on the dates shown in the schedule as per “Appendix B”. Players and/or team officials may participate in subsequent games until the case is due to be heard by the Discipline Committee. A player and/or team official may request a hearing but must do so in writing, no later than 72 hours after the dismissal. If found not guilty, $100 of the fee will be returned. 
  2. The Board of Directors shall have the power to cause teams to forfeit points or be expelled from the NYSL if found guilty of serious discipline offences at a properly held discipline hearing.
  3. In discipline cases, when a team disputes the identification of a player sent off, the onus is on the team to prove the correct identity. 

 

  1.  Any person found guilty of any offence must be sentenced in accordance with Ontario Soccer’s Operational Procedures, Section 12, Procedure 9, “Standard Penalties for Misconduct”.

 

  1.  A player who receives a red card will be automatically suspended for the next game and the captain will be notified of the length of suspension after discipline committee’s decision. The team will receive a respective red card fine, which will be paid before kickoff of the next team game. No Cheques or coin will be accepted. 

 

  1.  Suspensions for Fighting or Abuse of Officials or Staff – Any player, coach, or found fighting is guilty of violent conduct and will be ejected from the premises for not less than one year and up to permanently. 

 

3.1 Protests and Appeals 

 

1) All protests shall be delivered to the league coordinator of the NYSL by email, and must be sent no later than three (3) days (Saturday, Sunday, and legal holidays excepted) from the date of the game in which the protest has arisen. Where a game is played under protest, such a fact must be noted on the team sheet and a formal protest must then be lodged as stipulated in the rules of the NYSL or competition. 

 

2) Protest deposits of $100 shall be in the form of cash or e-transfer. 

 

3) At the same time that the Protest is delivered to the coordinator of the NYSL.

 

4) Any team lodging a Protest must produce proof of such lodgment at the meeting held to consider the Protest, and the onus of proof of allegations contained in the Protest shall be upon the protesting team or organization. 

 

5) In dealing with any Protest, the league organizers shall take into consideration the possession by the protesting team of any prior knowledge of the facts or allegations contained in the Protest, which if properly used, might have prevented the Protest. 

 

6) The league organizers shall have the right to declare all or part of the Protest fee forfeit where the Protest has been considered and not sustained, or where the Protest has not been properly lodged or as otherwise provided in these rules. The Protest fee will be returned if the Protest is upheld. 

 

7) If at any time after the period allotted for submission of a protest has expired evidence is presented which could have constituted grounds for a protest, such evidence shall be considered by the league organizers at their discretion. 

 

8) Objections to ground, goalposts, ball, jersey or colours DO NOT CONSTITUTE GROUNDS FOR A PROTEST. Objection of this nature, however, should be given in writing to the match official by half-time. The match official must report objections to the NYSL, which will take any necessary action to prevent repetition of the same including fining or disciplining the offending team. Match officials’ decisions cannot be protested. Teams and/or organizations may submit a complaint in writing via email to the NYSL. The NYSL will forward the complaint to the Match Officials coordinator for review and North York Sports League Discipline Committee for disciplinary review.

 

9) The match official shall require the responsible team to correct the cause of the objection if this is possible without unduly delaying progress of the game. 

 

10) Any protest, once lodged with the NYSL, may not be withdrawn, except by permission of the NYSL organizers. 

 

11) Any team or organization dissatisfied with the decision of the NYSL on any protest or discipline decision shall have the right to appeal. 

 

12) In the event conditions of lodging a Protest are not met, the protest will be ruled out of order.

 

4.0 Match Officials

 

1) Match officials must notify the NYSL coordinator by submitting the result immediately after the game has been played and must complete and forward the team sheets to the NYSL coordinator following the completion of the game. Failure to comply with the above may result in disciplinary action. 

 

2) Complaints by or against match officials shall be submitted to [email protected]. After the complaint has been dealt with, the parties concerned will be notified. 

 

3) The NYSL office will pay officials 50% of the fee if the game is rained out and they have not been informed at least 2hrs prior to kickoff. 

 

4) All match officials shall be appointed by the match official coordinator to act on its behalf. 

 

5) In the event of the match official appointed not attending the game, the Assistant Referee #1 shall be considered the appointed match official. UNDER NO CONSIDERATION, must the teams concerned play a friendly or exhibition game. 

 

6) In the event that only one match official attends the game, the game MUST be played.

 

5.0 General Rules 

 

1) Each team shall supply the NYSL office with contact names, addresses, phone numbers and player pictures. NYSL notification to either contact on items to do with team games (reschedules, cancellations, etc.) shall be considered as official NYSL notification.

 

 2) In the final of the Playoffs the NYSL shall be responsible for the stadium costs and match officials. 

 

3) The NYSL organizers shall be the legal holders in trust of all Cups and other trophies belonging to the NYSL. 

 

4) Before handing the cups or trophies to the winners of any competition, they shall obtain from the successful team a satisfactory and approved bond for the safe custody and for the return of any cup or trophy in the same good order and condition as such team received. Teams and/or players will be assessed for any loss or damage to the trophies. 

 

5) Two weeks prior to the date fixed for the Cup Final or deciding game of any competition under the jurisdiction of the NYSL, the coordinators of the NYSL shall procure the return of the cup or trophy from the team who last received the same. A fine will be assessed against any team not returning trophies before the Annual Awards night (See Appendix A). 

 

6) Any team changing their address or any organization changing their team captain must notify the coordinators of the NYSL in writing within seven (7) days. 

 

7) The coordinator shall have the power to deal with any teams and player in an official capacity whose conduct may be deemed objectionable. The coordinators through any of their members or otherwise take notice of any teams and players whose conduct may be deemed prejudicial to the welfare of the game, and deal with the matter in such a manner as the coordinators may think fit.

 

  • Finances 

 

  1. Leagues fees will be due two week before the first game (Date: May 14 2023) Failure to pay league will result in $500 late fee.

 

  1. Only e-transfer or cash will be accepted.

 

  1.  If any team withdraws from the league after (Date: May 14 2023) they will not receive money back) 

 

Appendix A – Fees and Fines 

 

Description of Infraction Fee/Fine(s)
Red Card $25 fine 
Request for a hearing (within 48hrs of a Red Card – Only if you lose the appeal) $100 Fee
Playing of an ineligible player in any League, Cup, or Playoff game $100 team fine + player suspension/ Match will be deemed as a forfeit; points will be awarded to the other team.
Causing a game abandonment/ not showing up $150 Fine 
Failure to return Annual Cup trophy $100 Fine 
Withdrawing a team from the NYSL start after date League fee not refundable 
Failure to have team Kits/ Player numbers on kits  $100 Fine/ per player
No Show $150 Fine 

 

A.1 League Fees 2022

 

League Fee  Referee Fee 
$4,500 $70/$40/$40

 

Appendix B – Discipline Dates 

 

The North York Sports League is using the Discipline by Review system (DBR) for the 2022 season.

 

Administration Fee: $30/Red Card Losing a hearing: $100 fee

 

The accused shall submit a written request to the organization having jurisdiction to hear the case, within three days of receiving the dismissal. This request must arrive before the date of the next scheduled Discipline Review meeting.

 

Ontario Soccer Standard Penalties Examples

 

  • 2nd caution in a game 1 game Offensive
  • Serious foul play 2 games (straight red)
  • Violent Conduct 3 games Offensive
  • Abusive language or gesture 1 game 
  • Abusive language or gesture 3 games directed at a game official