All SNSA Men’s League games shall be played according to the FIFA Laws of the Game, as modified by the league as described herein.

All players must be registered with SNSA, pay all fees, and obtain an official player pass from the league.  Players may be rostered only on one team unless permission is given by the league to play on two teams (only one team per division).

 

 

Each team will play 8-10 games (depending on field availability) in a round-robin format within its division.  Game times will be assigned randomly.  If any team requires its games to be played at a specific time, the league will use reasonable efforts to accommodate such requests if received in writing in the order received.  All schedule requests must be received on or before the date specified by the league for the applicable season.

 

Results for the season will be based upon each team’s point total based upon its win/loss/draw record.  Teams will receive 3 points for a win, one point for a draw, and 0 points for a loss.  In the event that two or more teams finish the season with an equal amount of points, tiebreakers shall be applied in the following order:  1) the team with the best goal differential; 2) the team with the most wins; 3) the team with the fewest losses; and, if still undecided, a coin toss.

 

Division assignments are based upon the results of the prior season, absent evaluation and approval by the league.  The top two teams in the lower division will be promoted; the bottom two teams in the upper division will be relegated. The number of teams promoted and relegated may be changed by the league in the event that there are fewer than 8 teams in either or both divisions.

 

• All players are required to wear shin guards under socks. 

• No jewelry may be worn in competition. 

• Players shall wear approved boots. 

• All players on a team must wear matching, numbered uniforms with no duplicated numbers on a team, including matching shorts and socks. Teams also will have a secondary, matching uniform jersey. Each team must have a light (home) and dark (away) jersey.

• If a player wants to play with a cast (hard or soft), the player must have a physician’s release, must pad the cast appropriately, and must present to the referee for an inspection of the note and cast prior to the game.  

• If a player wants to play with a hard knee brace, then the brace must be made of soft, yielding material, with hinges covered on all sides. The ultimate decision as to whether the player may play will be left to the discretion of the referee.

 

All equipment issues will be determined by the referee, whose decision shall be final.

 

The home team is listed first on the schedule.  The home team shall wear white or other light-colored jersey.  The visiting team shall wear a dark-colored jersey.  In the event of a jersey color conflict, the home team must change jerseys. The home team will supply the match balls (subject to referee approval). Each team is responsible for ensuring that all garbage is cleaned up after each match on the sidelines.  The league reserves the right to sanction any team(s) who fail to clean up after a game.

 

Teams are responsible for their spectators.  All spectators shall conduct themselves in an appropriate manner at all times.  No smoking, alcoholic beverages, illegal drugs, or pets will be allowed within the field areas. Absolutely no verbal abuse of players, coaches, referees, other spectators, or league personnel will be tolerated.  Spectators who fail to abide by these rules will be required to leave the field area. The league reserves the right to sanction any team(s) whose spectators fails to abide by these rules.

 

Teams must check-in with the referee at the field on which they are scheduled to play 10 minutes prior to the scheduled start time of the match. At this time, the referee shall inspect player equipment (in his or her discretion), check all players against the official roster, complete match cards, and take care of any other necessary pre-match business.  Players may be requested to present a valid identification.  Any player who fails to present such identification will not be allowed to play.

  

Immediately after each match, a representative from each team will sign the match card in front of the referee, attesting to its accuracy (score, identity of players injured, cautioned or ejected).  Any dispute regarding the score of a game or identity of a player cautioned or ejected must be written on the card at that time.  Each team is responsible for getting its passes back after their game from the referees.

 

All referees officiating league games are certified by US Soccer. All referee decisions are final and not appealable.  Nevada Revised Statutes 200.471 and 200.481, enacted in 2005, makes it a crime to threaten a sports official, verbally or physically, which carries a fine of up to $2,000 and one year in jail. If the sports official suffers severe bodily harm, the offender may be imprisoned for up to 15 years and fined up to $10,000.00.

 

Any team failing to report ready to play within five minutes after the scheduled kick-off time may forfeit their match in the discretion of the referees. All teams must have a minimum of seven players present and ready to play to start the match. 

 

Substitutes shall wait at the center line approximately one yard behind the touch line until the Center Referee signals them to enter the field.  Unlimited substitutions will be allowed only at the following times:

• Prior to throw-in by the team in possession.  If the team in possession is making a substitution, the other team may make a substitution as long as the referee does not believe that the team in possession will lose any advantage due to delay, etc.

• Prior to a goal kick by either team.

• At half-time.

• After an injury stoppage.  If the team in possession is making a substitution, the other team may make a substitution as long as the referee does not believe that the team in possession will lose any advantage due to delay, etc.

• After a goal is scored by either team 

 

Players shall receive one (1) point for a yellow card and two (2) points for a red card.  Upon reaching four (4) points during the course of a season, a player shall be suspended for the next scheduled match.  This suspension shall be in addition to any red card suspension that a player must serve.  For example, if a player receives a yellow card in Game 1, a red card (two yellows in the same game) in Game 3, and a yellow card in Game 5, the player must sit out Game 6, in addition to the one-game suspension served in Game 4.

 

League rules prohibit any coach, team official or player ejected from a match, or suspended by the proper authority, to be within sight or hearing distance of the field of play during his/her suspension. A player receiving two cautions (yellow cards) in a single match is considered to have been given an ejection (red card). A player who has been ejected (sent off), shall not be replaced and shall miss the remainder of that match and the next match.  Any player who fails to serve a suspension shall be suspended for two (2) additional games.  Any player who receives more than three ejections in a season will not be allowed to return to league play.

 

A coach, team official or player who has been ejected for VIOLENT CONDUCT shall not be allowed to participate for a minimum of TWO scheduled matches, or as otherwise determined by the league.

 

A coach, team official or player who has been ejected for FIGHTING (striking or attempting to strike another coach, team official, player or spectator) will not be allowed to participate in or attend any further matches during the remainder of the season, at a minimum. Coaches, team officials, players or spectators who enter the field of play for any reason in the event of a fight will be ejected from the game. If the coaches, team officials, players or spectators cannot be identified, the entire team will be subject to discipline up to and including suspension for the remainder of the season. No refunds will be made to any team that is suspended for fighting or for any other reason.

 

If, in the opinion of the Center Referee, a match must be terminated for misconduct because of players, coaches or spectators, the offending team forfeits that match regardless of the score and time remaining at the time of the incident and will be suspended from further play. In addition, the State Association will be contacted. Any verbal abuse directed at league officials or referees will result in ejection and suspension. Referees have complete authority during all matches and will not allow abusive or profane language, threats of any kind, or any style of play that detracts from the game of soccer.