FSL Soccer Discipline General Guidelines 

Effective March 1st, 2025

It is the captain's responsibility to ensure that players are serving suspensions for red cards or misconduct within the league. Have the ref or site manager make note that your player is ineligible and sitting out the game.  A forfeit will be awarded and/or a point deduction will occur if an ineligible player participates when they shouldn’t.

 

Yellow Cards

A player receiving two yellow cards in a single game automatically results in a red card.  The player is ejected from the current game and MUST sit their next game for the team in which they received the red card.  No matter what!

A player accumulating three yellow cards in one season on a particular team MUST sit their next game for the team in which they received their 3rd yellow card or pay a $50 fine.

A player accumulating five yellow cards in one season MUST sit their next game and is not eligible to pay the fine. (Habitual offenders may be placed on probation or suspended additional games)

Once the regular season is over, all players enter the playoffs with a clean slate. However, a player that receives third or fifth yellow card in the last regular-season game MUST sit out their next game even if it is a playoff game.

Red Cards

 

Any Player receiving a red card will be directed to leave the field facilities immediately.  Site Managers are to escort players receiving red cards out of the facility without delay and directed not to return.  The game will commence when the Referee and Site Manager feel that the player has left the facilities and is no longer going to be a distraction/threat to the continuance of the game.  If the Referee ends the game due to the disruption, the team receiving the red card that forced the early termination of the game will receive an automatic forfeit and potential additional sanctions.

If a player receives two direct red cards in one season they will be banned from this league  for a minimum period of 30 days.

Red Cards in the last game of the season will carry over to the next game, regardless of season or division. 

Once a player receives a red card their case will be reviewed by our league arbitration committee. The red carded player and their team captain must submit a red card report within 24 hours to have their side of the story heard. 

To submit a red card report please use this link here- https://floridasportsleagues.wufoo.com/forms/rgtnmyh1doryf6/

 

Abusive Language & Violent Conduct

Florida Sports Leagues strives to ensure a fun, safe, and organized soccer experience.  Violent Conduct or Abusive Language will NOT be tolerated.

Any player receiving a red card for violent conduct or abusive language will be issued a minimum 10 day suspension across all leagues. Further sanctions may be imposed at the discretion of the arbitration committee. As a general rule, any player involved in a physical fight can expect to receive a 3-6 month ban from all leagues.

Any team involved in Verbal or Physical Referee/League Staff Assault or a fight will be docked -5 points in the standings and placed on probation for a minimum of a year.

Florida Sports Leagues reserves the right to issue suspensions to players, coaches, or fans involved in violent conduct, abusive language, instigation, or other similar incidents regardless of whether or not they were issued a red card by the referee.

Referee Assault

Referee or League Staff Assault – Out for one-year minimum. Spitting is considered assault. The league, referee, or site manager will be strongly encouraged to report the incident to law enforcement.

Appeals Process

A player receiving a red card MUST sit his next game (No appeals of Red Cards will be heard only the length of suspension beyond one game). If the website is not updated or is incorrect the responsibility is on the captain to make sure his player sits and it gets marked down on the roster.

All appeals should be directed to the arbitration committee via an email to TBA 

The league Board of Directors may or may not choose to hear the case. 

A decision may be appealed within 7 days after being notified.  An appeal must be accompanied by the sum of One hundred dollars paid to the league at the time you send in your appeal via email. The decision will remain in force until after a hearing has taken place.

Reinstatement

At the discretion of the arbitration committee, some players may be required to apply for reinstatement if they wish to return to playing in FSL. You will be notified whether reinstatement is required when you are notified of a suspension. If you are required to apply for reinstatement, the following procedure should be followed. You are NOT eligible to register and play until you have received formal written/typed approval to do so from the arbitration committee.

1. At the conclusion of suspension, email TBA requesting to be reinstated. In this email, you should explain why you should be allowed to participate in FSL and what actions you have taken to improve your conduct. If necessary, we may request a virtual meeting to speak with you directly.

2. The committee will review your request and determine reinstatement eligibility. Any player approved for reinstatement should expect to provide proof of taking a FSL approved Anger Management Course and agreeing to a long probationary period..

3. Written Approval or Denial of Reinstatement is issued to player via email from TBA

 

League Probation Guidelines

The "Probation" is a continuous period of time that the player's behavior will be monitored by Florida Sports League.

Probation will be issued at the discretion of the arbitration committee to any player who has been deemed a risk to the safety or smooth operations of FSL sanctioned events. Players DO NOT need to be issued a red card to be placed on a probation period. Any player on probation is subject to the following terms:

• A player accumulating three or more yellow cards in one season on a particular team while on probation will receive a mandatory 2-week suspension across all leagues.

• A player receiving a red card while on probation will have their case reviewed by the FSL Arbitration Committee. Recommended a minimum 1-month suspension.

• Violent Conduct or Fighting while on probation will not be tolerated. Recommend a minimum one-year suspension.

• Any action that is not disciplined by the referee can be recognized by FSL Staff and put the case under review by the Arbitration Committee for sanctioning or league dismissal.

Florida Sports Leagues is dedicated to ensuring fun, safe, organized sporting, fitness, and health events. We reserve the right to dismiss anyone who we deem poses a threat to that mission statement.