Conduct and Discipline

Soccer is "a beautiful game", and we must strive to keep the game fun for all. For these reasons, we ask all those associated with KUSC to abide by the following Fair Play Codes:

• Fair Play Code of Conduct for Team Officials
• Fair Play Code of Conduct for Players
• Fair Play Code of Conduct for Parents and Spectators

Authority

In those rare cases where people choose not to respect the Fair Play Code, KUSC follows the Ontario Soccer Association (OSA) Discipline Policies, which can be found here: http://www.ontariosoccer.net/RulesForms/Published-Rules/Published-Rules-%282%29/OSA-Policies.aspx

The administration of discipline can be slightly confusing or intimidating, and this information is provided to shed some light on the issue. This information presented here is meant to help detail the application of the OSA Discipline Policies at KUSC. If there is discrepancy between the information presented here and that provided by the OSA Discipline Policies, the later should be taken as authoritative.

The term discipline refers to the application of the discipline policies in dealing with a case of misconduct by a KUSC registrant; a registrant is a player, a team official, an administrator or a game official. There are a wide variety of misconduct types (as noted at OSA Discipline Policy 9.0), which range from a player receiving a caution (yellow card), a dismissal (red card) to more serious offences such as assaults. All such cases of misconduct are reported to KUSC, who will determine how they are to be handled using the OSA Discipline Policies.

Jurisdiction

KUSC can deal with misconduct types that involve KUSC registrants involved in House League and Interlocking League activities. Competitive leagues such as the Eastern Regional Soccer League (ERSL) or the leagues run by our district association (SOSA - The Southeast Ontario Soccer Association) have their own discipline procedures.

Application

There are two general mechanisms that KUSC can use to handle alleged misconduct: Discipline by Review System or Discipline by Hearing System

The Discipline by Review (D.B.R.) System  is used to handle minor misconducts where a specific suspension is quoted in OSA Discipline Policy 9.0. 

• Such cases are reviewed by a panel who review the facts and award the specified suspension if appropriate. 
• The person accused of the misconduct does not make representation to the review panel. 
• A player who is dismissed from a game (after receiving a red card) has the right to request to be disciplined by the D.B.H. System. They must submit that request in writing or by email to the KUSC general manager within three days of receiving the dismissal, and before the next scheduled discipline review meeting. Registrants asking for a hearing under the D.B.H. System must pay the Request for Hearing Fee prior to the hearing; the Disciplinary Hearing Administration Fee is only paid if the registrant is found guilty of the charge.
• Discipline decisions made under the D.B.R. System generally cannot be appealed.

The Discipline by Hearing (D.B.H) System is used for more serious misconducts, or for those for which OSA Discipline Policy 9.0 quotes a range of suspensions. 

• Such cases are heard before a panel, which shall hold a hearing. 
• The accused individual must attend the hearing; accused under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult who acts as an adviser.
• Discipline decisions made under the D.B.H System can be appealed to SOSA

A player who is subject to a D.B.R. may request to be disciplined by a D.B.H. (except when disciplined for cautions). That request for a hearing must be made within 72 hours of the player receiving a dismissal (red card). The request for a hearing must be made in writing by contacting the KUSC General Manager at gm@kingstonsoccer.ca.

KUSC does not currently charge a Request for a Hearing Fee, or a Hearing Administrative Fee. 

Communication of Penalty

In all cases where a penalty has been awarded by D.B.R or the D.B.H. System, the penalty shall be communicated to the accused and their coach (if the accused is a player) within four days of the hearing by email or by phone.

Schedules

KUSC will hold its Discipline Review Meetings and Discipline Hearings on the third Tuesday of each month as applicable. 

Contact

Address any questions or comments you may have regarding discipline to the KUSC General Manager, who will forward them to the Vice-President Discipline.