Bylaws

SAMMSL Bylaws 2025

St. Albert Men’s Masters Soccer League (SAMMSL)

Bylaws and General Rules and Regulations

(Effective April 1, 2013; Amended through February 10, 2025)

1. Introduction

Players registering with SAMMSL must agree to abide by these bylaws and regulations. These rules are adapted from the Senior Men’s Bylaws and General Rules and Regulations (April 8, 2002) to ensure consistency, particularly regarding discipline.

2. Definitions

  • ASA: Alberta Soccer Association
  • Association / SASA: St. Albert Soccer Association
  • CSA: Canadian Soccer Association
  • Disciplinary Chairman: Appointed by the Association to chair the Disciplinary Committee
  • Disciplinary Committee: Committee handling appeals of disciplinary decisions
  • Disciplinary Coordinator: Individual responsible for initial disciplinary decisions
  • Team Officers: Includes team managers, coaches, and assistants registered with ASA
  • Game Officials: Referees and assistant referees officiating matches
  • League / SAMMSL: St. Albert Men’s Masters Soccer League (outdoor and indoor)
  • League Officials: Elected or appointed officials of SAMMSL
  • Season: Includes both regular season and tournament games
  • Registered Player: Officially registered on an ASA form
  • Registration Deadlines: July 31 (Outdoor), January 31 (Indoor)

3. Player Registration

3.1 Registration Requirements

  • Each player must be ASA-registered with the SAMMSL team for which they will play.
  • Team officers must register teams using an ASA registration form, which must be submitted to the league registrar.
  • No team shall exceed 25 registered players.
  • No more than 5 players may be under the age of 40 as of June 15.
  • Teams in good standing from the previous year have registration priority.
  • Registration closes 24 hours prior to a new player participating.

    • 3.2 New Team Entry Requirements

    1. Roster Submission
      • Any new team applying to join SAMMSL must submit a roster of at least 14 players.
      • The submitted roster must include at least 11 players who were not registered with any SAMMSL team in the current or previous season (calendar year).
      • New teams must recruit players who comply with existing SAMMSL bylaws, including age and competitive level restrictions:
        • A maximum of five players under the age of 40 is permitted.
        • Recruitment is prohibited from divisions above Division 1 in the Edmonton District Soccer Association (EDSA) for both Men's and Masters categories.
        • Recruitment is prohibited from the 35+ Major division in the Victoria Masters Soccer League (VMSL).
    2. Restrictions on Player Transfers from Existing SAMMSL Teams
      • A new team may include no more than 2 players from any single existing SAMMSL team.
      • Exception: If a registered SAMMSL player wishes to start a new team, they may include:
        • Themselves (as the team founder).
        • Up to 2 additional players from their existing team.
      • A new team may have no more than 5 total players who were previously registered with any SAMMSL team in the past two seasons/calendar year (including the founder).
      • After the team’s first calendar year, standard transfer rules apply.
    3. Exception for Disbanded Teams
      • If an existing SAMMSL team officially disbands, its players may form a new team without restriction, subject to league approval.
    4. Approval Process
      • The league committee will review all new team applications and verify compliance before granting entry.

    3.3 Fees and Payment

    • Season Fees: To be determined annually based on anticipated expenses, including field rentals, referee fees, and other operational costs.

    Payment Schedules:

    Summer Season:

    1. Deposit: $500 due by May 1.
    2. First Installment: Half of the total fees, less the deposit, due by May 31.
    3. Balance: Remaining balance of the fees due by June 30.

    Winter Season:

    1. Deposit: $500 due by October 1.
    2. First Installment: Half of the total fees, less the deposit, due by October 31.
    3. Balance: Remaining balance of the fees due by November 30.

    Penalties for Late Payment:

    • Failure to pay the first installment by the specified due date: $150 fine.
    • Failure to pay the balance by the specified due date: $150 fine.
    • As per bylaws, if a payment is missed, the team will be suspended from play until the outstanding amount is paid.
    • Payment methods include eTransfer, money order, or cheque payable to SAMMSL.
    • Additional fees may be assessed to cover operational expenses, subject to approval.

    3.4 Registration Violations and Penalties

    Any team found in violation of registration rules will face the following penalties:

    • Use of underage players (Under 35):
      • First Offense: Reprimand and $50 fine.
      • Second Offense: $100 fine, removal of the player, and possible team forfeiture.
      • Third Offense: Suspension pending a hearing and $200 fine.
    • Exceeding the 25-player limit:
      • First Offense: $50 fine and removal of excess players.
      • Second Offense: $100 fine and forfeiture of affected matches.
      • Third Offense: Suspension pending a hearing and $200 fine.
    • Registering players from higher divisions:
      • First Offense: $150 fine, removal of player.
      • Second Offense: $300 fine, 1-point deduction, match forfeiture.
      • Third Offense: Team suspension pending a hearing.

    4. Game Conduct Regulations

    4.1 No-Shows and Late Arrivals

    • A team must have at least 7 players on the field within 15 minutes of kickoff.
    • No-Show Penalties:
      • First Offense: 1-point deduction, $100 fine.
      • Second Offense: 3-point deduction, $200 fine, team disciplinary review.
      • Third Offense: League suspension pending a hearing.
    • Late Arrival Penalties:
      • 15–30 minutes late: $50 fine, match forfeiture.
      • Over 30 minutes late: Considered a no-show, penalties apply.

    4.2 Discipline for On-Field Violations

    Offense First Offense Second Offense Third Offense
    Yellow Cards (Accumulation) 1-game suspension (after third yellow) 1-game suspension (after fourth yellow) 2-game suspension + hearing (after fifth yellow)
    Red Card – Serious Foul Play 3-game suspension 6-game suspension Hearing
    Red Card – Violent Conduct 3-game suspension 6-game suspension Hearing
    Dissent Toward Officials Warning 1-game suspension 3-game suspension
    Spitting, Threats Toward Opponents/Spectators 5-game suspension + $50 fine 10-game suspension + $100 fine Mandatory league hearing
    Physical Contact with Officials 1-year suspension (minimum) Lifetime ban N/A

    4.3 Foul and Abusive Language Toward a Game Official

    • First Offense: 6-game suspension
    • Second Offense: 12-game suspension
    • Third Offense: Mandatory hearing

    This bylaw applies only to extreme cases resulting in an automatic red card, as determined by the referee's discretion.

    4.4 Use of Non-Registered or Suspended Players

    Any team found using non-registered or suspended players will face the following penalties:

    • First Offense: Match forfeited, $100 fine, one-year suspension for the player.
    • Second Offense: Match forfeited, $200 fine, three-game suspension for the offending player.
    • Third Offense: Suspension pending a hearing, $400 fine, and potential team expulsion.
    • Suspended players may not participate in any league activities (games, team management, officiating).

    5. Referees and Game Officials

    • All referees and assistant referees fall under SASA jurisdiction.
    • Referee Assignments: The SAMMSL Referee Assigner is responsible for referee appointments, ensuring an unbiased selection process.
    • Weather-Related Cancellations: The home team must confirm field conditions at least 2 hours before kickoff and notify both referees and opponents.
    • Referee Complaints:
      • Complaints must be submitted in writing within 48 hours of the match.
      • The Disciplinary Committee will review complaints and take appropriate action.
      • Complaints without substantial evidence will not be considered.
    • Referee Reports: All red card offenses, game forfeits, and field incidents must be reported in writing within 24 hours.

    6. Game Administration

    6.1 Game Sheets

    • Submission Deadline: Game sheets must be submitted at least 15 minutes before kickoff.
    • Game sheets must be correctly filled out, listing no more than 25 players, including their full names and jersey numbers.
    • The sheet must be signed by the coach and/or manager before being submitted to the referee at least 15 minutes before kickoff.
    • Penalty for Late Submission:
      • First Offense: Warning
      • Second Offense: $50 fine
      • Third Offense: $100 fine and potential match forfeiture

    6.2 Game Duration

    • Outdoor Games: Consist of two 45-minute halves.
    • Indoor Games: Consist of two 35-minute halves.
    • The referee has the discretion to shorten games in adverse conditions.

    6.3 Tie-Breakers

    • Regular Season:
      1. Head-to-head record
      2. Goal difference among tied teams
      3. Overall goal difference
      4. Most goals scored
      5. Penalty shootout (if feasible); otherwise, a coin toss
    • Playoffs:
      1. Extra time (10-minute halves)
      2. Penalty shootout (sudden death if needed)

    6.4 Inclement Weather Procedures

    • Indoor Relocation: In the event of adverse weather conditions that render outdoor fields unplayable, SAMMSL has arrangements with the Victoria facility to relocate scheduled outdoor games indoors.
    • Game Duration: Indoor matches will consist of two 40-minute halves.
    • Scheduling Adjustments:
      • Standard Months (May through September): Indoor game start times will align closely with the original outdoor schedule to minimize waiting periods between matches.
      • Sample Schedule:
        FieldOutdoor StartIndoor Start
        #15:00 PM5:30 PM
        #17:00 PM7:00 PM
        #25:00 PM5:30 PM
        #27:00 PM7:00 PM
      • Late Season Months (October): If games are moved indoors during this month, start times will be adjusted to 3:00 PM and 5:00 PM to match the adjusted outdoor schedule.
    • Field Assignments: Outdoor Field #1 games will be relocated to the large indoor field, while Outdoor Field #2 games will be assigned to the small indoor field.

    7. Player and Team Management

    7.1 Substitutions

    • Outdoor Games:
      • Substitutes must wait at center field until the referee signals approval for entry.
      • Players leaving the field must exit at the nearest boundary line, unless otherwise directed by the referee.
    • Indoor Games:
      • Substitutes must enter and exit at center field.
      • The exiting player must completely leave the field before the substitute may enter.
      • No referee approval is required for substitutions.
    • Sent-off players cannot be substituted.

    7.2 Recruitment and Transfers

    • Players must be ASA-registered.
    • Teams may recruit players from ASA-sanctioned leagues with proper approval.
    • Maximum 5 players under age 40 per team.
    • Registration priority is given to returning teams in good standing.

    7.3 Team Fees

    • Must be paid in full by agreed dates.
    • Late payments incur a $150 fee and possible suspension.

    8. Disciplinary Procedures

    8.1 Reporting and Processing Violations

    • Who Reports?
      • Game officials: All red card offenses, misconduct, and game forfeits.
      • Teams: Any violations, disputes, or misconduct by submitting a written report within 48 hours.
    • Review Process:
      • The Disciplinary Coordinator will assign penalties within 3 days of the violation.
      • Appeals must follow the process outlined below.

    8.2 Appeals Process

    • Timelines for Appeals:
      • First Appeal: Submitted within 48 hours with a $50 fee (refundable if upheld).
      • Second Appeal: Must be submitted within 5 days to the SASA Disciplinary Chairman (additional $50 fee).
      • Final Appeal: To the SASA Executive Board (requires $75 fee).
    • Appeal Outcomes:
      • If an appeal is successful, any suspensions/fines are lifted.
      • If an appeal fails, the original penalty remains and an additional 1-game suspension may be applied.
    • Appeals to Alberta Soccer Association (ASA) and Canadian Soccer Association (CSA):
      • Only allowed for constitutional matters (e.g., rule misinterpretation).

    9. Bylaws Amendments

    • Amendments require a majority vote from team managers and the executive.

    10. Revision History

    • Compiled: March 1995
    • Updated: Jan 1999, Feb 2002, Oct 2002, March 2003, Nov 2003, April 2004, April 2005, Feb 2007, March 2009, Feb 2011, April 2013, Oct 2016, Feb 2025