Rules & Discipline
We want to keep our players safe and expect high respect among our players, team officials, and referees. Remember, leagues run through the EMSA Zones must have discipline information, and inquiries should go to the zone they play in before contacting EMSA.
ASA CODE OF CONDUCT AND ETHICS
The Alberta Soccer Association (ASA) Code of Conduct and Ethics sets out the principles to ensure a safe and positive environment associated with its soccer-related activities by making individuals aware that there is an expectation of appropriate behaviour consistent with ASA’s core values of Integrity, Respect and Choice.
All Participants
- Respect all participating members
- Encourage fair play and good competition
- Refrain from negative, harmful, and intimidating messages, speech, and behaviour
Team officials
- Provide only technical instruction from the bench
- Refrain from questioning the decisions of the referees
- According to the Laws of the Game, Law 5, the decisions of the referee and other match officials are final and must always be respected (this does not mean that the referee will always make the right call, but questioning the decision is not permitted)
- Any coach who respectfully asks for clarification of a decision should be provided one when time allows.
Parents/Guardians and spectators:
- Respect the decisions of the referee and other match officials in the same manner as the coach
- Comments and actions are monitored by the Ref Liaison
Reports of Inappropriate Behaviour
- It is imperative that the Coach and Ref Liaison clearly understand their responsibilities. Failure to act appropriately could lead to a sanction against the coach.
- The referee has been instructed that all instances of inappropriate behaviour or comments (by either Team Officials or Spectators) are to be sanctioned according to the Laws of the Game
- Team Officials will be warned, cautioned, or sent off depending on the severity and circumstances of the action
- Spectators will be removed
- Should spectators, parents or guardians display inappropriate behaviour, the coach should be asked to remedy the situation through the Ref Liaison.
- If this does not happen, the game will be paused until the facility staff has dealt with the person(s) involved in the incident. The appropriate sanction will be applied to the coach, almost certainly delaying the restart of play.
Questions or requests for clarifications from referees are always welcome after the game or in writing to soccer@ewzsa.com
ASA Code of Conduct (February 25 2018)
Indoor:
U4 – U7 Rules:
U13 – U19 Rules:
- League Information can be found on the EMSA Main website
- Alberta Soccer Rules of Indoor Soccer Boarded, click here
Outdoor:
West Zone Mini Soccer Rules (U4-U7):
U9 & U11 Rules:
U13 – U19 Rules:
- Outdoor season information is on the EMSA Main website
- Alberta Soccer IFAB Laws of the Game and Rules
Other Rules
EMSA West Philosophy on Heading the Ball
Discipline:
- U13 – U19: EMSA Main
- U4 – U11: EMSA West
Discipline issues are confidential and outcomes are not shared with third parties. Please know that we all take these things very seriously and do our due diligence and investigations.
Conduct:
Concerns/Complaints for EMSA West
All concerns/complaints must be submitted in writing. Complaints regarding team/referee behaviour must come through your team Coach. With their support, your team coach can submit your concerns/complaints on your behalf to your respective Community Coordinator or West Zone office.
All issues are confidential and outcomes are not shared with third parties. Please know that we take these issues very seriously and do our due diligence during our investigations.