14.0 GAME PROTEST PROCEDURE

A.      Protests consist of teams violating the FIFA Laws of the Game or SAS Rules & Regulations, and therefore the protestor is requesting to have the game reviewed and potentially overturned. I.e.: ineligible player partaking in match.

B.       The referee's decision is always final. Therefore, protests based on the referee's interpretation of the Laws of the Game are not valid and will not be considered.

C.       Player Protest Game Time Procedure:

If your team believes that your opponents are playing an ineligible player, the following course of action is recommended:

i)        Before the game starts, inform the official of the suspected ineligible player(s) whether the player is present or not.

ii)       The official should, when applicable, confirm with photo ID cards that the names correspond to the faces.

Note: The referee is required to check all I.D. cards at the start of each game. If a player shows up late to a game, it will be at the referee’s discretion to decide when that player’s card will be checked.

iii)     The official should notify your opponents that you are questioning a player's eligibility and indicate which player. The opponents then have the opportunity to withdraw the player before the game begins or is restarted.

iv)     If the player leaves the game, a protest is not necessary and disciplinary action may not apply. Extenuating circumstances may result in disciplinary actions. The official should indicate on the game sheet of this occurrence and teams shall verify that information and can email the office as well.

v)       If the player participates, indicate on the game sheet that you will be protesting and play the game.

vi)     Submit the protest as per protest procedures.

D.      Player Protest Submission Procedures:

i)        Protests must be submitted in writing within one (1) business day of the game along with the protest fee of $35.00. If the committee finds in favor of your team, the protest fee will be returned. If the committee finds against your team, the protest fee will be kept.

ii)       The protest and protest fee should be sent to admin@saskatoonadultsoccer.com with the password soccer.

It is important to remember that player eligibility protests should be raised before the start of the game or at half-time if the player arrives late. Teams have until one (1) business day following a game to protest a player’s eligibility.

E.      Participant Protest Game Time Procedure:

If your team believes that your opponents have ineligible participants (i.e.: underage, suspended, unregistered), the following course of action is recommended:

i)        Before the game starts, inform the official of the suspected ineligible participant(s).

ii)       The official should, when applicable, confirm with photo ID cards that the names correspond to the faces.

Note: The referee is required to check all I.D. cards at the start of each game. If a participant shows up late to a game, it will be at the referee’s discretion to decide when that participant’s card will be checked.

iii)     The official should notify your opponents that you are questioning a participant’s eligibility and indicate whom The opponents then have the opportunity to withdraw the participant before the game begins or is restarted.

iv)     If the participant leaves the game, a protest is not necessary and disciplinary action may not apply. Extenuating circumstances may result in disciplinary actions. The official should indicate on the game sheet of this occurrence and teams shall verify the information and can email the office as well.

v)       If the participant(s) do not leave, indicate on the game sheet that you will be protesting and play the game.

vi)     Submit the protest as per the Participant Protest Procedures.

F.       Participant Protest Submission Procedures:

i)        Protests must be submitted in writing within one (1) business day of the game along with the protest fee of $35.00. If the committee finds in favor of your team, the protest fee will be returned. If the committee finds against your team, the protest fee will be kept.

ii)       The protest and protest fee should be sent to admin@saskatoonadultsoccer.com with the password soccer.

It is important to remember that player eligibility protests should be raised before the start of the game or at half-time if the player arrives late. Teams have until one (1) business day following a game to protest a player’s eligibility.

G.      All discipline decisions fall under the Discipline Policy and cannot be protested under this rule. See Discipline Policy for Appeals and Hearings.