Section
1 – Governance
1.1. The VMSL is a registered
not-for-profit entity under the BC Society Act.
1.2. All competition in the league
is governed by the VMSL Board of Directors.
1.3. The VMSL operates under its
own Constitution and Bylaws, as well as pursuant to BC Soccer’s.
Competition
Rules and Regulations
1.4. The VMSL operates solely as an
amateur league and the payment of players is strictly prohibited as governed by
the bylaws of BC Soccer and in particular BC Soccer Rule 5b (“An amateur player shall not receive any
remuneration or consideration directly or indirectly from playing soccer except
as provided in these rules”)
1.5 Discipline will be applied
according to the VMSL Discipline Policies and Procedures.
Section
2 – League Fee
2.1. The Board of Directors shall
establish the Annual Membership fees, subject to approval of the membership at
the Annual General Meeting. The fees
shall be payable at a date fixed by the Board of Directors.
League
Fees
(a) VMSL Team Registration fee:
$450;
plus a Match Official management fee of $100;
plus a $50 refundable Referee Performance Report deposit;
plus a one-time $250 new team fee for new teams
(b) BC Soccer Team Registration fee: $50
(c) BC Soccer / VMSL Player Registration fee: $60 (VMSLsoccer.com returning
player); $75 (player not already registered on VMSLsoccer.com within the
previous two seasons); $25 Youth Pool Registration fee
(d) BC Soccer / VMSL Player Transfer fee: $25
(e) Fields fees will be charged according to a team’s usage of League field
permits
(f) Performance bond per team: $1000 unless sponsored by an existing VMSL club
who put their own bond at risk for one season in which case it is $500. (Note:
some teams have $250 on deposit as opposed to $1000 or $500 based on the
historical performance bond dollar amounts)
The bond may be increased by the
Board of Directors for teams, who, by their conduct, show a disregard for the
Laws of the Game, the Bylaws, and/or the Rules and Regulations of the VMSL.
Section
3 – Competition Prize Tokens and Provincial / National Competition Subsidies
3.1. Divisional competition prize
money may be established and funded by the clubs within each division and shall
be subject to the approval of the Board of Directors. The VMSL will match premier division prize
money funded by the clubs.
3.2. The VMSL will match the BC
Soccer travel grants (currently $500 per trip) that VMSL teams in provincial
cup play receive for travel to Vancouver Island.
3.3. The VMSL will provide a travel
grant ($5,000 within BC and $10,000 outside BC) to VMSL teams in national
championship play. [NTD: starting in 2026]
Section
4 – Schedule
4.1. The VMSL Board of Directors
shall be responsible for the scheduling of all VMSL games. Regular kickoff
times for the VMSL are Fridays between 8 and 9 pm, Saturdays between noon and 8
pm and Sundays between 10 am and 8 pm. All other home game kick off times must
be approved by the VMSL in advance of the season start.
4.2. The VMSL Board of Directors
shall appoint all game officials. Match Fees for game officials are set by
members at the VMSL Annual General Meeting for the upcoming season.
4.3. In the event that a match
cannot continue through to full regulation time due to inclement weather or
extenuating circumstances, other than player injury, where the parties have
confirmed with the League that no alternative field is available within 60
minutes of the stoppage to complete the match directly, its completion will be
rescheduled for some other date/time designated by the VMSL.
4.4. In the event of an injured
player within the field of play, teams and/or referees do not have the
authority to suspend a match
(a) Teams must contact the league and adhere to Rule
4.10 regarding alternate field arrangements for completion of the match on the
same day.
(b) Games may only be suspended due to injury with
express league approval
(c) Costs for games suspended due to injuries may be
passed on to the teams at the discretion of the league.
4.5 Incomplete Games
(a) Suspension of a Match – at the time a match is suspended:
i. For Premier, Division 1,
Division 2, Imperial Cup, and Division 2 Cup matches, team staff from both
teams must review the game rosters of each team and confirm which players were
checked in.
ii. Completion will be
rescheduled for some other date/time designated by the VMSL.
(b) Completion of a Match
i. The rescheduled completion will start at the
same minute that the match was originally suspended and with the same score,
accumulation of cards (if there were any).
ii. For games in the open age Premier, First and
Second Divisions, the same players that were listed on the teams’ rosters and
were present and checked in at the game at the time it was suspended will be
the only players eligible to participate in the completion of the match.
iii. For games other than Premier, First Division
and Second Division, teams can use any player listed and not suspended on the
game day roster archived by the referee at the incomplete game regardless of
whether they were present or absent, checked in, crossed out or unmarked.
iv. A youth to senior permit duly completed for a
game that ends up being postponed or is incomplete must be resubmitted and
re-authorized for the rescheduled game or game completion if the rescheduled
game or game completion takes place more than 72 hours after the originally
scheduled game.
(c) The VMSL Board of Directors shall have discretionary power to
decide whether unfinished games are to be replayed or the game declared
officially completed.
(d) Further, with respect to player eligibility and discipline, the
following applies to incomplete games:
i. If a player’s status has changed (e.g., they
have transferred away to another club and/or league), the player cannot be
used. If the player remains within the same VMSL club, a team can seek advanced
written approval from the league to use the player. This applies to all players
listed on the roster including youth callups, CAT players and ICP call ups.
ii. Unless the board determines otherwise (such
as in the case of egregious and/or indefinite suspensions and players who have
repeatedly failed to appear at a discipline hearing) and notifies both teams,
it is the player's suspension status at the time of the game origination that
determines the player's eligibility (with respect to Discipline) for the game
completion.
iii. A red card received in the game origination
will result in a discipline hearing and games served immediately following the
game origination.
iv. A yellow card received in the game
origination will result in a yellow accumulation suspension if it triggers a
threshold and result in a game served immediately following the game
origination.
v. A red card received in the game completion
will result in a discipline hearing and games served immediately following the
game completion.
vi. A yellow card received in the game
completion will result in a yellow accumulation suspension if it triggers a
threshold and result in games served immediately following the game completion.
vii. A yellow received in the game completion
that combines with a yellow received in the game origination will result in a
second caution red. In the case where the yellow from the game origination had
already triggered a yellow accumulation suspension, the player will get credit
for the game served and his yellow tally will be reduced by one (ie., the
player will be made whole as if it was one game all along)
4.6
The VMSL Board of Directors may institute temporary rules to deal with
interrupted schedules, determining which games must be played, where and under
what conditions, and how points and league placements are to be awarded. This
includes adjusting Cup and Playoff schedules and scheduling mid-week matches at
league discretion on short notice.
4.7. Any team responsible for
defaulting or otherwise cancelling a game, or a team abandoning or been found
to have caused a match to be abandoned, will be charged with all the expenses
incurred in preparation for such game as per Sections 8.e., 8.j.i, and/or
8.j.ii of the VMSL Rules and Regulations.
(a) The Board of Directors shall have the power to
suspend or expel any member club who has defaulted and/or forfeited 3 or more
games in one regular season.
(b) The Board of Directors shall have the power to
suspend or expel any member club who has abandoned and/or been found to have
caused to be abandoned 2 or more games over two seasons.
4.8. Changing and postponing
matches:
In this section “match week” refers
to the period from Wednesday to the following Monday.
(a) A home team may change the
location and kickoff time of a match to another location and time within the
same match week with no fewer than 14 days' notice to the Scheduling Secretary.
(b) A home team wishing to change
the location and kickoff time of a match to another location and time within
the same match week with fewer than 14 days notice must obtain a written
agreement of acceptance from the opposing team before changes are made and is
subject to the approval of the VMSL.
(c) An away team wishing to change the location or
kickoff time/day of a match to another location or time/day within the same
match week must apply in writing to the Scheduling Secretary no fewer than 14
days prior to the originally scheduled match. A written agreement of acceptance
from the opposing team must be obtained before changes are made and is subject
to the approval of the VMSL.
(d) All matches postponed to a later match week for
non-discretionary reasons (i.e., cup play, field closures, lighting issues,
etc.) will be rescheduled by the Scheduling Secretary during a match week where
the two teams are not already scheduled to play.
(e) Notwithstanding subsection (d), the two teams may
agree to play the rescheduled match during a match week in which one or both of
the teams is scheduled to play.
(f) All discretionary postponements
to a later match week (i.e., those agreed upon by the teams) must be
rescheduled within the structure of the VMSL’s 22 League Game match week
schedule.
(g) Any discretionary postponement
to a later match week that involves a team playing two matches within the same
match week requires the written approval of that team.
(h) Any team wishing to change or
postpone a match to a day or time outside the regular kickoff times for a VMSL
match week must be prepared to supply their own field permit for the match and
is subject to approval of the VMSL Executive.
(i) All rescheduled matches are
subject to change at the sole discretion of the VMSL Executive and Scheduling
Secretary in order to optimize the number of matches being played in a given
match week, particularly as it pertains to completing the schedules at the end
of the season.
(j) Schedule change requests are
subject to a fee of $25.
4.9. In the event of inclement weather, or other conditions
(e.g., smoke), teams must:
(a) Be in attendance and prepared
to play at the scheduled field and wait for the decision of the referee as to
whether the ground is in playable condition or not, unless previously advised
to the contrary by the Scheduling Secretary regarding alternate playing
arrangements.
(b) If the registered team staff
members of the involved teams have been advised not less than 12 hours in
advance of a scheduled match under threat from inclement weather by the
Scheduling Secretary of an available alternate field and/or kickoff time the
teams must either:
i. Agree to move the match to the available alternate field and/or kick
off time; or
ii. Monitor and then attend at the originally scheduled field and, if
the field is deemed unplayable, be prepared to play at the alternate field if
the alternate field kickoff time is within two hours of the originally
scheduled match and an official(s) can be provided.
(c) Notwithstanding subsection (b),
the teams may agree to move the match to an available alternate field and/or
kick off time with less than 12 hours notice, subject to the approval of the
VMSL Executive.
4.10. In the event of a field
related issue prior to kickoff including, but not limited to, a lighting issue,
field damage, or a permit issue, teams must play the match at an available
alternate field and/or kick off time if the alternate field kickoff time is
within two hours of the originally scheduled match and an official(s) can be
provided; or else forfeit the match.
4.11. The standing of teams
resigning or removed from the VMSL before completion of the schedule will be
expunged from the record as follows:
(a) If a resignation or removal
occurs prior to the completion of the first round of the schedule, all results
involving that team will be expunged from the league record.
(b) If a resignation or removal
occurs prior to the completion of the second round of the schedule, only the
second round results will be expunged.
(c) The same formula shall apply
for any subsequent rounds. Note also that no more than three forfeited matches
will be considered in determining whether a round of the schedule has been
completed or not.
(d) The score, goal scorers and
shutouts of games that are later expunged will be deleted so as not to impact
standings, scoring races and shutout races.
(e) Discipline and fines incurred
(as well as credit for games served) associated with games that are later
expunged will not themselves be revisited or expunged.
(f) If all results for a team
resigning or removed from the VMSL are expunged, that division or section shall
be reduced in number. Promotion, relegation, and playoff formatting will apply
to the reduced number of teams in the section or division (i.e., the last
placed team in the reduced section or division will still be relegated and any
resigned or removed teams will not impact this placing).
(h) If any results for a team
resigning or removed from the VMSL remain (i.e., first round results), the
resigned or removed teams shall remain in the division or section table and
their total amassed points will determine their final position in the division
or section standings. Promotion, relegation and playoff placings will apply as
normal (i.e., the resigned or removed team will count as a relegated team if
their final point total has them finishing in a relegation place in the
standings).
4.12. Points shall be awarded on
the basis of three (3) points for a win, one (1) point for a draw and zero (0)
point for a loss.
4.13. Admission fees:
(a) In a regular VMSL game played
in an enclosed park for which an admission is charged, the home team will
retain the net gate.
(b) In regular VMSL games, which
form part of a double header, and for which an admission fee is charged the net
gate will be divided between the two home teams.
(c) In regular VMSL games played on
open parks the home team is entitled to take and retain the proceeds of any
moneys collected.
Section
5 – Cup and Division Section Championship and Tie-Breaking Procedures
5.1. At the completion of the
league schedule, the team with the most points shall be declared the Division
Section Champion.
5.2. In the event of two teams
having the same number of points, the Division Section Champion, or other
applicable relevant ties in the standings, shall be determined by the result of
a one game playoff.
The game will be played on neutral
ground, with extra time periods, and a penalty kick series if necessary.
If the Championship playoff does
not affect promotion (e.g. in the case where both teams are being promoted) and
the Board of Directors feels that there is not sufficient time to complete the
playoff, the formula in 5.3 will be used to break the tie.
5.3. In the event three or more
teams are tied for first place, or any other applicable relevant ties in the
standings, a round-robin playoff will take place. Field and referee costs will
be shared by the teams and the CAT system and ICP system and league suspensions
will be in effect. If the Board of
Directors feels that there is not sufficient time to complete the round-robin
playoff, the following rules will be used to break the tie:
(a) Total points in games played
among tied teams.
(b) Goal difference (goals for
minus goals against) in games played among tied teams.
(c) Goal average (goals for divided
by goals against) in games played among tied teams.
(d) Average goal difference in all
games played.
(e) Goal average in all games
played.
If, after the round-robin playoff,
two or more teams are still tied, the rules for breaking the tie will be the
same as the ones above. When it is deemed impractical to play games to finalize
placements, a points per game method, followed by the tie breaking rules listed
in 5.3 will be used (for example, to determine provincial cup qualification or
disposition of an incomplete season.)
5.4 Cup Group Stage Point System
and Tie Breakers
All group stage matches in VMSL Cup
or Playoff competitions will be 90 minutes.
If the game is tied after 90 minutes penalty kicks will be used to
determine a winner. The point system for group stage matches in VMSL Cup
competitions shall be as follows:
3 pts for a win after 90 minutes
2 pts for penalty kick win
1 pt for a penalty kick loss
0 pts for a loss after 90 minutes
In the event that two teams are
tied at the conclusion of the group stage, the following rules will be used to
break the tie:
(a) Total points in games played among tied teams. (Head
to Head)
In the event three or more teams
are tied, the following rules will be used to break the tie:
i. Total points
in games played among tied teams. (Head to Head)
ii. Average goal
difference in all games played. (AGD)
iii. Goal
average in all games played. (GF/GA)
iv. Fair Play
Score (-1 Yellow, -3 second caution, -5 red); if the tied teams have not played
the same number of games, then the total Fair Play Score will be divided by the
number of games played to determine average Fair Play Score
v. Drawing of
lots
In the event that team records from
multiple groups in a Cup competition must be compared (ie “best second place”)
the following formula will be used to determine which team(s) advance:
Among groups that have played the same number of group stage matches:
i. Total
points earned by the teams
ii. Average
goal difference in all games played. AGD
iii. Goal
average in all games played. GF/GA
iv. Fair Play
Score (-1 Yellow, -3 second caution, -5 red)
v. Drawing of
lots
Among groups that have played the a different number of group stage
matches:
i. Teams that
have played the greater number of matches shall have their result against the
last place team in their group excluded for the purpose of comparing records
ii. Once all
teams have been reduced to an equal number of matches played:
iii. Total
points earned by the teams
iv. Average
goal difference in all games played. AGD
v. Goal
average in all games played. GF/GA
vi. Fair Play
Score (-1 Yellow, -3 second caution, -5 red)
vii. Drawing
of lots
Section
6 – Promotion and Relegation and Vacancies
6.1. At the end of each season, the
VMSL shall promote and relegate teams as follows:
(a) The two last placed teams in
the Premier Division will be relegated to Division 1.
(b) The top two teams in Division 1
will be promoted to the Premier Division.
(c) The two last place teams in
Division 1 will be relegated to Division 2.
(d) Division 1 Relegation Playoff -
First Phase: The fifth bottom team in Division 1 will have the right to host a
playoff game against the fourth bottom placed team in Division 1. If the fifth bottom team cannot provide a
suitable venue (2.5 hour field booking) the league will schedule the game at a
neutral venue. If the game is tied after
90 minutes, it will proceed to two 15 minute periods of extra time, followed by
a penalty shootout, if necessary. The
winner of this playoff will retain Division 1 status for the following season,
the losing team will advance to the Division 1 Relegation Playoff - Second
Phase.
(e) Division 1 Relegation Playoff -
Second Phase: The third bottom team in Division 1 and the losing team from the
Division 1 Relegation Playoff - First Phase will playoff over two-legs with
each team hosting a game.
i. The third
bottom team in Division 1 will have the right to host the first leg (standard 2
hour field booking). The League will
schedule the game at a neutral venue if necessary.
ii. The losing
team from the Division 1 Relegation Playoff - First Phase will have the right
to host the second leg. If the losing
team from the Division 1 Relegation Playoff - First Phase cannot provide a
suitable venue (2.5 hour field booking) the league will schedule the game at a
neutral venue.
iii. If the aggregate score is tied after 90
minutes of the second leg, then two 15 minute periods of extra time will be
played, followed by a penalty shootout, if necessary. An away goals rule is NOT in effect for the
playoff tie.
The losing team of the Division 1
Relegation Playoff - Second Phase will be relegated to Division 2. The winning team of the Division 1 Relegation
Playoff - Second Phase will advance to the Division 2 Promotion Playoff - Final
Phase.
(f) The winner of each of the
Division 2 sections will be promoted to Division 1.
(g) The second placed teams in each
Division 2 section, along with the best third place team, regardless of
section, will enter the Division 2 Promotion Playoff - First Phase.
i. The Division 2 Promotion Playoff - First Phase will feature two
Semi-Finals and a Final.
ii. The best
Division 2 second place finishing team, regardless of section, will have the
right to host the best Division 2 third place finishing team, regardless of
section in Semi Final #1; the second best Division 2 second place finishing
team will have the right to host the third best Division 2 second place
finishing team in Semi Final #2.
iii. The
Semi-Finals will proceed directly to penalty kicks if tied after 90 minutes.
iv. If either
host team is unable to provide a suitable venue for the Semi-Final (standard 2
hour field booking), the League will schedule the game at a neutral venue.
v. The two
Semi-Final winning teams will advance to play in the Division 2 Promotion
Playoff - First Phase Final; the two semi-final losing teams will remain in
Division 2.
vi. The Division
2 Promotion Playoff - First Phase Final will be played at a neutral venue. If the game is tied after 90 minutes, it will
proceed to two 15 minute periods of extra time, followed by a penalty shootout,
if necessary.
vii. The winning
team of the The Division 2 Promotion Playoff - First Phase Final will advance
to play off in the Division 2 Promotion Playoff - Final Phase; the losing team
will remain in Division 2.
(h) The winner of the Division One
Relegation Playoff - Second Phase and the winner of the Division 2 Promotion
Playoff - First Phase will play off in the Division 2 Promotion Playoff - Final
Phase.
(i) The Division 2 Promotion
Playoff - Final Phase will be played at a neutral venue. If the game is tied after 90 minutes, it will
proceed to two 15 minute periods of extra time, followed by a penalty shootout,
if necessary. The winning team will
enter Division 1 and the losing team will enter Division 2.
(j) The last place teams from each
Division 2 section will be directly relegated to Division 3
(k) The second and third last place
teams in each Division 2 section, along with the two fourth last place teams
with the lowest point totals, regardless of section, will enter the Division 2
Relegation Tournament.
i. The eight teams will be divided into two pools as follows:
POOL A:
The 4th to
last place team with the second most points
The 3rd to
last place team with the second most points
The 2nd to
last place team with the most points
The 2nd to
last place team with the fewest points
POOL B:
The 4th to
last place team with the fewest points
The 3rd to
last place team with the most points
The 3rd to
last place team with the fewest points
The 2nd to
last place team with the second most points
ii. Each team
will play each of the other teams in their pool once. Any game tied after 90 minutes will proceed
directly to a penalty shootout.
Points will be
awarded as follows:
3 points for a
win after 90 minutes
2 points for a
win in a penalty shootout
1 point for a
loss in a penalty shootout
0 points for a
loss after 90 minutes
iii. After group
play, the final pool placings will yield:
1st and 2nd
place teams will remain in Division 2
3rd place
teams will advance to the Division 2 Relegation Playoff
4th place
teams will be relegated to Division 3
iv. If any teams
resign or are removed from the Division 2 Relegation Tournament, the League
will review and advise the remaining teams of the impact to the competition and
any changes to the format.
(l) The two second last place teams
in each pool of the Division 2 Relegation Tournament will advance to the
Division Two Relegation Playoff. The
game will be played at a neutral venue.
If the game is tied after 90 minutes, it will proceed to two 15 minute
periods of extra time, followed by a penalty shootout, if necessary.
(m) The winning team of the
Division Two Relegation Playoff will advance to the Division 3 Promotion
Playoff - Final Phase; the losing team will be relegated to Division 3.
(n) The winner of each of the
Division 3 sections will be promoted to Division 2.
(o) If there are 4 Division 3
sections, the second and third placed teams in each Division 3 section will
enter play offs for promotion to Division 2.
i. The four second place teams will be seeded from first to fourth.
ii. The four third place teams will be seeded from first to fourth.
iii. The teams will participate in a Double-Knockout Promotion
Tournament.
iv. In the Division 3 Promotion Tournament, Initial Round the matches
will be as follows:
1st Ranked 2nd
Place Team vs. 4th Ranked 3rd Place Team (Game #1)
4th Ranked 2nd
Place Team vs. 1st Ranked 3rd Place Team (Game #2)
2nd Ranked 2nd
Place Team vs. 3rd Ranked 3rd Place Team (Game #3)
3rd Ranked 2nd
Place Team vs. 2nd Ranked 3rd Place Team (Game #4)
v. In the Division 3 Promotion Tournament Initial Round, 2nd placed
teams will have the right to host the games (standard 2 hour field
booking). If any teams are unable to provide
an appropriate venue, the League will schedule the game at a neutral venue.
vi. Division 3 Promotion Tournament Initial Round games will proceed
directly to penalty kicks if tied after 90 minutes.
vii. Winners of the Division 3 Promotion Tournament Initial Round games
will advance to the Division 3 Promotion Tournament Winners Phase.
viii. In the Division 3 Promotion Tournament Winners Phase the games
will be as follows:
Winner of Game #1 vs. Winner of Game #2 (Game #5)
Winner of Game #3 vs. Winner of Game #4 (Game #6)
ix. The Division 3 Promotion Tournament Winners Phase games will be
played at neutral venues. If a game is
tied after 90 minutes, it will proceed to two 15 minute periods of extra time,
followed by a penalty shootout, if necessary.
x. The winning teams of the Division 3 Promotion Tournament Winners
Phase will be promoted to Division 2.
xi. The losing teams of the Division 3 Promotion Tournament Winners
Phase will advance to the Division 3 Promotion Tournament Repechage
Semi-Finals.
xii. Losing teams from the Division 3 Promotion Tournament Initial Round
games will advance to the Division 3 Promotion Tournament Repechage
Quarter-Finals.
xiii. The Division 3 Promotion Tournament Repechage Quarter-Finals will
be as follows:
Loser of Game #1 vs. Loser of Game #2 (Game #7)
Loser of Game #3 vs. Loser of Game #4 (Game #8)
xiv. The Division 3 Promotion Tournament Repechage Quarter-Finals will
be played at neutral venues and will proceed directly to penalty kicks if tied
after 90 minutes.
xv. Winners of the Division 3 Promotion Tournament Repechage
Quarter-Finals will advance to the Division 3 Promotion Tournament Repechage
Semi-Finals; losing teams from the Division 3 Promotion Tournament Repechage
Quarter-Finals will remain in Division 3.
xvi. The Division 3 Promotion Tournament Repechage Semi-Finals will be
as follows:
Loser of Game #6 vs. Winner of Game #7 (Game #9)
Loser of Game #5 vs. Winner of Game #8 (Game #10)
xvii. The Division 3 Promotion Tournament Repechage Semi-Finals will be
played at neutral venues and will proceed directly to penalty kicks if tied
after 90 minutes.
xviii. Winners of the Division 3 Promotion Tournament Repechage
Semi-Finals will advance to the Division 3 Promotion Tournament Repechage
Final; losing teams from the Division 3 Promotion Tournament Repechage Semi-Finals
will remain in Division 3.
xix. The Division 3 Promotion Tournament Repechage Final will be as
follows:
Winner of Game #9 vs. Winner of Game #10 (Game #11)
xx. The Division 3 Promotion Tournament Repechage Final will be played
at a neutral venue. If the game is tied
after 90 minutes, it will proceed to two 15 minute periods of extra time,
followed by a penalty shootout, if necessary.
xxi. The winner of the Division 3 Promotion Tournament Repechage Final
will advance to the Division 3 Promotion Playoff Final Phase; the losing team
will remain in Division 3.
(p) The winner of the Division Two
Relegation Playoff and the winner of the Division 3 Promotion Tournament
Repechage Final will play off in the Division 3 Promotion Playoff Final Phase.
(q) The Division 3 Promotion
Playoff Final Phase will be played at a neutral venue. If the game is tied after 90 minutes, it will
proceed to two 15 minute periods of extra time, followed by a penalty shootout,
if necessary. The winning team will
enter Division 2 and the losing team will enter Division 3.
(r) If there are 4 sections in
Division 3, the bottom two teams in each Division 3 section will enter the
Division 3 Relegation Tournament.
i. The eight teams will be divided into two pools as follows:
POOL A:
The 2nd to last place team with the most points
The 2nd to last place team with the fewest points
The last place team with the most points
The last place team with the fewest points
POOL B:
The 2nd to last place team with the second most points
The 2nd to last place team with the third most points
The last place team with the second most points
The last place team with the third most points
ii. Each team will play each of the other teams in their pool once. Any game tied after 90 minutes will proceed
directly to a penalty shootout.
Points will be awarded as follows:
3 points for a win after 90 minutes
2 points for a win in a penalty shootout
1 point for a loss in a penalty shootout
0 points for a loss after 90 minutes
iii. After group play, the final pool placings will yield:
1st and 2nd place teams will remain in Division 3
3rd place teams will advance to the Division 3 Relegation Playoff
4th place teams will be relegated to Division 4
iv. If any teams resign or are removed from the Division 3 Relegation
Tournament, the League will review and advise the remaining teams of the impact
to the competition and any changes to the format.
(s) The two second last place teams
in each pool of the Division 3 Relegation Playoff Tournament will advance to
the Division 3 Relegation Playoff. The
game will be played at a neutral venue.
If the game is tied after 90 minutes, it will proceed to two 15 minute
periods of extra time, followed by a penalty shootout, if necessary. The winning team will remain in Division 3;
the losing team will be relegated to Division 4
(t) If there are not 4 sections in
Division 3, the league will advise the promotion and relegation format prior to
the commencement of the season.
(u) Assuming there are two Division
4 sections, the winner of each section will be promoted to Division 3.
(v)The two second placed teams in
Division 4 will play off. The game will be played at a neutral venue. If the game is tied after 90 minutes, it will
proceed to two 15 minute periods of extra time, followed by a penalty shootout,
if necessary. The winning team will be
promoted to Division 3
(w) In all of the above cases, the
placement of promoted or relegated teams into divisions with multiple sections
will be decided by a random draw per 6.4.
6.2. Vacancies in any Division,
except the ones covered by Section 6.1 shall be filled as follows:
(a) In Divisions impacted by
inter-divisional promotion/relegation playoffs:
i. the vacancy shall be filled by the team having advanced farthest in
the applicable playoffs without having qualified for the division (i.e., the
most “successful” playoff losing team).
ii. If more than one team reached the same stage of the playoffs (i.e.,
two losing semi-finalists) and the applicable teams were in the same Division,
the highest placed team by points standing, regardless of section, shall fill
the vacancy, assuming that the teams have played an equal number of league
games. If the teams have not played an equal number of games, then the team
with the highest points/games quotient (points divided by number of games
played) shall fill the vacancy. Tie-breakers in Rule 5.3 will be used if
necessary. If the teams are not from the
same Division then the league will review the circumstances of the vacancy, may
arrange a further playoff if practicable, or otherwise advise how the vacancy
is to be filled.
(b) In Divisions not impacted by
inter-divisional promotion/relegation playoffs:
i. The next place team by points standing in its respective division,
regardless of section, shall be promoted, assuming that the teams have played
an equal number of games. If the teams have not played an equal number of
games, then the team with the highest points/games quotient (points divided by
number of games played) shall fill the vacancy.
ii. Where two or more teams are tied in points standing, regardless of
section, then league tie-breakers in Rule 5.3 will be used.
(c) If there are more than two
vacancies to be filled in a division, the VMSL executive reserves the right to
review the totality of circumstances and advise the impacted divisions of how
vacancies will be filled. When one or two vacancies are to be filled, they will
go to teams next in line per 6.2(a) and 6.2(b).
6.3. Realignment within Divisions
with multiple sections:
Teams remaining for the next season
in a division that is broken into sections will be redistributed to newly
formed sections based on their placement in the previous playing season. The
process to redistribute the teams will be based on a draw after placing the
teams into various pots for the purposes of the draw based on past season
performance (i.e., a seeded lottery). Where the standings from the previous
season alone determine the placement of teams into pots, and two or more teams
are tied in points standing and it affects which pot the teams go into, the
formula outlined in section 5.3 shall apply. If teams do not re-register for
the upcoming season, the teams in that section that were below the exiting
teams generally move up in the section ranking. Each pot contains a number of
teams divisible by the number of sections and as the teams are drawn from each
pot they are placed into the sections in rotation.
6.3.1 Realignment of Division 2:
After the conclusion of the league
schedule in each Division 2 section, the teams not participating in Promotion
or Relegation playoffs will be placed into Realignment Placing Groups of four
based on the final position in the section standings. Tie-breakers as outlined in Rule 5.3 will be
used if necessary.
The Realignment Placing Groups will
be as follows:
GROUP A
The third place team with the second most points
The third place team with the third most points
The fourth place team with the most points
The fourth place team with the second most points
GROUP B
The fourth place team with the fewest points
The three fifth place teams
GROUP C
The three sixth place teams
The seventh place team with the most points
Each team will play each of the
other teams in their Realignment Placing Pool once. Any game tied after 90 minutes will proceed
directly to a penalty shootout.
Points will be awarded as follows:
3 points for a win after 90 minutes
2 points for a win in a penalty shootout
1 point for a loss in a penalty shootout
0 points for a loss after 90 minutes
6.3.2 The pots to be drawn into the
three Division 2 sections are constructed as follows:
Pot A – the three directly relegated teams from Division 1 (3 teams)
Pot B – the Division 2 Promotion Playoff Final Phase losing team; the
three Division 2 Promotion Playoff First Phase losing teams; and the top two
teams in Realignment Placing Group A (6 teams)
Pot C – the bottom two teams in Realignment Placing Group A and the top
team in Realignment Placing Group B (3 teams)
Pot D – the bottom three teams in Realignment Placing Group B and the
top three teams in Realignment Placing Group C (6 teams)
Pot E – the bottom team from Realignment Placing Group C; the four
surviving Division 2 Relegation Tournament Teams; and the Division 3 Promotion
Playoff Final Phase winning team (6 teams)
Pot F – the four teams promoted directly from Division 3; and the two
Division 3 Promotion Tournament Winners Phase winning teams (6 teams).
6.3.3 Realignment of Division 3:
(a) Realignment of Division 3 based
on four sections. The pots to be drawn into the Division 3 sections are
constructed as follows:
Pot A – the
three directly relegated teams from Division 2; the two teams directly
relegated from the Division 2 Relegation Tournament; the Division 2 Relegation
Playoff losing team; the Division 3 Promotion Playoff Final Phase losing team;
and the Division 3 Promotion Tournament Repechage Final losing team (8 teams)
Pot B – the
two losing Division 3 Promotion Tournament Repechage Semi-Final teams; and the
two losing Division 3 Promotion Tournament Repechage Quarter-Final teams (4
teams)
Pot C – the
fourth and fifth placed teams from each section (8 teams)
Pot D – the
sixth through eighth placed teams from each section (12 teams)
Pot E – the
four surviving teams from the Division 3 Relegation Tournament (ie 1st and 2nd
place in the Relegation Tournament Groups) (4 teams)
Pot F - the Division 3 Relegation Playoff winning
team and the three teams promoted from Division 4.(4 teams)
Placements trickle down based on league placement should
there be vacancies. Any new teams to the league filling Division 3 vacancies
will form their own pot (which must be a multiple of 4) and any remaining (not
a multiple of 4) will be first drawn into the incomplete pots at random.
If vacancies remain at the main
draw, (and the remaining vacancies are not drawn into pots as “next team to
register, second next team to register, etc. before the main draw) new teams
registering for the league late will be assigned to the Division 3 sections via
one or more supplemental random draws.
(b) If there are not four sections
in Division 3, the league will advise the format for the composition of the
pots to be drawn into the Division 3 sections prior to the draw.
6.3.4 Realignment of Division 4.
The pots to be drawn into the two Division 4 sections are constructed as
follows:
Pot A – the
three relegated teams from Division 3 and the Division 4 Promotion Playoff
losing team (4 teams)
Pot B – the
third place teams from each section (2 teams)
Pot C – the
fourth and fifth placed teams from each section (4 teams)
Pot D – the
sixth through eighth placed teams from each section (6 teams)
Pot E – the
ninth and tenth placed teams (4 teams)
Placements trickle down based on league placement should
there be vacancies. Any new teams to the league filling Division 4 vacancies
will form their own pot (which must be a multiple of 2) and any remaining new
team will be placed into the incomplete pot.
Section
7 – Clubs/Teams Responsibilities
The rules and regulations set forth
in this Section are to be administered and enforced by the VMSL Board of
Directors. Infractions may result in such disciplinary action as may be
considered necessary.
7.1. Clubs failing to send a
representative to any VMSL meeting will be subject to a twenty-five ($25)
dollar fine per team not represented.
7.2. Every club is responsible to
the VMSL for the actions of its teams, players, officials and supporters and is
to take all necessary precautions to prevent behaviour that may bring the game
into disrepute.
7.3. Any club, team, or individual
who induces or attempts to induce a registered player of another club in the
VMSL to leave his club without first giving seven (7) days’ notice in writing
to the club for which the player is registered, shall be deemed guilty of
misconduct and be dealt with as per BC Soccer Rule 6 - Poaching.
7.4. All decisions and reports of
the Board of Directors, or any business transacted at any meeting, or any VMSL
game coverage may be published at the discretion of the Board of Directors
whether such publication shall or shall not reflect on the character or conduct
of any club, player or spectator, and in the event of such publication, every
club, player or spectator concerned or referred to therein shall be deemed to
have assented to such publication.
7.5. Each club must, at least two
weeks before the commencement of the season and in a form approved by the VMSL,
submit a complete list of its officers together with the club mailing and email
addresses and phone numbers to the VMSL Board of Directors. Any changes to this
list must be communicated in writing or via electronic submission to the VMSL
office immediately.
7.6. Any club wishing to change its
name must apply to the VMSL for permission to do so. Every team is to provide a
club crest (in digital format on a white background) for use on the VMSL
website and VMSL digital ID cards. Every team in a club must use the same
crest.
7.7. Every team must have a minimum
of 12 players registered and a minimum of two properly registered team staff.
7.8. Every team must have available
two sets of jerseys of substantially different colours.
7.9. If, in the opinion of the
referee, a conflict of jersey colours exists, it is the responsibility of the away team to change jerseys.
7.10. Each player must have an
easily identifiable number displayed on his jersey that corresponds with the
number on the team list. The same number must not be allotted to more than one
player in any game.
7.11. Each club is responsible for
seeing that the players are properly dressed and equipped and is expected to do
everything possible to make the game as attractive as possible for the
spectators.
(a) In the Premier Division and the
Imperial Cup, teams must ensure there are no conflicts of any kit component
(socks, shorts, jersey) in all matches.
(b) In the Premier Division, home
teams who will not wear their primary kit colours posted on their team page in
any given home match are required to provide three days notice to away teams of
the colour of the kit they will be wearing (socks, shorts, jerseys) so that the
away team can plan its non-conflicting kit.
(c) In all divisions other than
Premier, home teams may wear either of the kits displayed on their team
page. The away team MUST have available
a kit with a jersey colour substantially different than either kit of the home
team. Teams are encouraged to
proactively avoid conflicts of socks and shorts colours.
(d) Teams are encouraged to
coordinate kit colours prior to matches to enable away teams to travel with one
set of kit. Home teams that confirm in
writing to their opponents prior to a match which kit they will be wearing must
wear their stated kit if wearing an alternate kit would cause a conflict in the
opinion of the referee.
7.12. Team lists must be
game-specific VMSL system-generated roster sheets properly printed on an 8.5 x
11 inch sheet showing duplicate rosters for the referee and your opposition.
The list shall be printed legibly and shall state the numbers and full names of
all eligible players that the team intends to use in the game. Players not
listed on the team list will be considered ineligible for the game. CAT
players, ICP callups, youth permit players should all be on the game-specific
VMSL roster. Rosters should be printed only after all roster adjustments are
final.
(a) Both copies of the team list
shall be handed to the referee prior to the commencement of the game with
enough time to complete a thorough check-in process. Once players have been
checked in by the Referee on both copies of the Team List, a Team Official must
sign both copies of the Team List to verify the validity of the Team’s Players
and Staff checked in by the referee on the game specific Team List.
(b) The referee shall then sign
both copies of the team list. He will retain one copy and, prior to the
commencement of the game; give each team a copy of the other team’s list.
(c) In the case where a CAT, ICP,
youth player or a new registration or player transfer is processed after the
roster has been printed, the player can be used in the game if he shows up in
the digital ID card deck. In this case,
the player must be hand written onto the roster.
(d) A $10 administration fee shall
be applied per player for any handwritten players appearing on the team sheet
as the league will need to review each case to ensure the eligibility of the
player(s).
7.13. The home team must make
available two (2) VMSL-designated official match balls in good condition. The
League will designate each season one specific ball make and model so that all
divisions play each season with a single type of ball. For playoff games at
neutral venues, both the home team and away team must each make available one
VMSL-designated official match ball in good condition.
7.14. Each home team must provide
the following (according to the Laws of the Game):
(a)
The field must be properly marked to the referee’s satisfaction.
(b)
Regulation size corner flags properly and securely placed.
(c) Goal nets in satisfactory
condition and properly hung.
(d) Fields shall be booked for not
less than 2 hours for a regular League games and not less than 2:30 hours for a
Cup games where extra time is a possibility.
7.15. In all VMSL league games, it
is the home team’s responsibility to pay the referee and the assistant referees
before the game and no later than prior to the commencement of the second half
of the game.
(a) In games without assistant
referees, the teams are responsible for providing one club assistant referee
each to call throw-ins only.
(b) Teams are responsible for
ensuring that flags provided by the referee for use by club assistant referees
are returned in proper condition to the referee at the conclusion of the match.
7.16. For all games, other than
scheduled regular league games, the referee and assistant referee fees are to
be shared equally by both teams, unless otherwise directed by the League. For
cup games and playoff games at neutral venues, field fees are to be shared
equally by both teams.
7.17. Playoff games are used to
determine promotion status, championship status, relegation status and
Provincial Cup and other qualification statuses.
(a) Playoff games, other than the
promotion and relegation playoff games specifically outlined in Rule 6, are
played at a neutral ground, with extra time periods, and a penalty kick series
if necessary.
(b) The league will schedule two
assistant referees regardless of the division involved. Field and referee costs
are shared by the teams.
(c) Field set up is shared - one
net and two flags per team. If a playoff game is scheduled on grass, lining is
coordinated between the teams.
(d) For all Playoff games, other
than those solely to determine Provincial Cup qualification, the CAT system,
ICP system, league suspensions and youth permits are all in effect. For Playoff
games that are solely to determine Provincial Cup qualification, youth permits
will be in effect, but CAT, ICP and underage players shall be ineligible, and
unless the League notifies the teams otherwise, league suspensions are not in
effect.
7.18 For all VMSL games, every
team, home or away, must bring a minimum of four flat cones to mark a technical
area as directed by the referee (unless a technical area is already in place.)
7.19 For teams with home games
scheduled on VMSL field permits, failure to pay the field deposit charge posted
on their team page prior to the start of season (or other deadline set by the
league) will result in those home games being subject to forfeiture at the
league’s discretion, including penalties under Rule 8.e, until the field
deposit is paid in full.
Section
8 – Club / Team Fines
Clubs / Teams found guilty of
committing the following offences will be fined as follows:
8.a.
Team fails to appear for a scheduled game
Penalty: Minimum $150 fine, plus cost of game
official(s), if less than one week’s notice, and Field cost. 3-0 result will be
given to the opponent.
8.b.
Use of ineligible player
In instances where the League
becomes or is made aware of the potential use of an ineligible player, without
a formal Protest, the league will review the circumstances of the claim and any
available evidence. In these instances,
the league retains the power to determine the eligibility of the player and the
resulting sanctions, if any, to the team, team staff, and/or player.
i. In cases where teams are determined to be liable for fielding an
ineligible player, the following sanctions will apply:
1) First Offence- Penalty: $250 fine, stripped of any points acquired in
the game and a further deduction of three (3) points. 3-0 result will be given
to the opponent.
2) Second Offence- Penalty: $500 fine, stripped of any points acquired
in the game and a further deduction of six (6) points. 3-0 result will be given to the opponent.
3) Third offence- Penalty: the team shall be expelled from the VMSL, and
its bond forfeited.
4) Cup games- Penalty: $250 (First UIP) or $500 (Second UIP) fine and
expulsion from further cup competition in lieu of point penalty. If a third UIP
offence, the team shall be expelled from the VMSL, and its bond forfeited.
ii. Players that have served their suspension, but not paid the
associated fine are eligible to play in VMSL competitions. Use of a player that
has served their player suspension but has not paid the associated player
suspension fine shall result in an additional $30 fine accruing per game
eligible to play while fine outstanding
iii. Team Staff sanctions related to the fielding of an ineligible
player, including fines and suspensions, may be applied at the discretion of
the league.
8.c.i
Forgery of Player’s Signature on Registration Confirmation form
This applies (i) when a player
enters the league for the first time and is required to sign the registration
confirmation form, and (ii) when a player re-registers for a new season online.
In the context of the
re-registration of players in an online registration system who have already
been accepted into the league (and are not required to provide a signed
registration confirmation each season), this penalty and fine also applies to
the re-registering of a player in the VMSL without the player’s consent. (The
VMSL strongly recommends that players maintain their own login versus
delegating this to team staff)
Penalty:
Minimum $250 fine.
8.c.ii Entry of incorrect name or date of birth
during annual player registration and/or duplicate registration
This applies when a player enters
the league for the first time and registers his full name and date of birth and
confirms that the data is correct and signs the registration confirmation form.
Penalty: Minimum $250 fine.
8.c.iii Entry of team staff name not matching player
name during team staff profile creation and maintaining separate player and
team staff logins
VMSL members who are players and
team staff must have single user ID and must advise VMSL administration to
merge their player and team staff profiles in a timely manner
Penalty: Minimum $100 fine.
8.d.
Team fails to commence a game or withdraws from the game after it has started
unless so directed by the Referee
Penalty: Minimum $150 fine, plus cost of game
official(s) and Field cost as well as any additional match associated costs,
including, but not limited to, media costs. 3-0 result will be given to the
opponent. (Note: $300 minimum fine for a forfeit in the VMSL Premier division
and Imperial Cup.). Fines escalate with repeat offences.
8.e.
Defaulting, forfeiting or cancelling a game
Penalty: Minimum $150 fine, plus cost of game
official(s) and Field cost as well as any additional match associated costs,
including, but not limited to, media costs. 3-0 result will be given to the
opponent. (Note: $300 minimum fine for a forfeit in the VMSL Premier division
and Imperial Cup). Fines escalate with repeat offences.
8.f.
Delay of start of game
Penalty: Minimum $25 fine.
8.g.
Failure to pay referee(s) before start of second half
Penalty: Minimum $25 fine.
8.h.i.
Insufficient or unacceptable uniforms
Penalty: Minimum $25 fine.
8.h.ii
Jersey and Roster mismatch
Player failing to wear number as
identified on game sheet. A Team is responsible to ensure that the referee is
given a roster listing the correct jersey numbers, ideally by having numbers
populated in advance of the check in and ideally computer printed.
Penalty: Minimum $25 fine.
8.i. Team
fails to:
1) Mark field properly; Penalty:
Minimum $25 fine.
2) Supply appropriate goal nets;
Penalty: Minimum $75 fine.
3) Supply appropriate corner flags;
Penalty: Minimum $25 fine.
4) Supply match ball and/or spare
match ball; Penalty: Minimum $25 fine.
5) Provide team lists before
kickoff; Penalty: Minimum $50 fine
6) Provide VMSL digital
identification (ID) cards before kickoff; Penalty: Minimum $50 fine
7) Supply substitution slips;
Penalty: Minimum $50 fine
8.j.i Team
held to be at fault for abandonment of a game
Penalty: Minimum $150 fine plus game officials fees and
Field cost, as well as any additional match associated costs, including, but
not limited to, media costs. 3-0 result will be given to the opponent.
8.j.ii Both
teams held to be at fault for abandonment of a game
Penalty: Minimum $150 fine per team. Game will be deemed
played and no points awarded. Any additional match associated costs, including,
but not limited to, media costs, may be split among the teams.
8.k. Lack
of spectator control by team official(s) including failure to address
spectators if requested by referee
Penalty: Minimum $50 fine and may
be suspended from further participation in the competition.
8.l. Harassment of referee, persistent criticism
of the referee or disputing calls of the referee by team officials and/or
players,
Penalty: Minimum $50 fine and may
be suspended from further participation in the competition.
8.m. If
requested by referee – failure to identify spectator(s) responsible for
misconduct towards a referee or assistant referee;
Penalty: Minimum $50 fine and may
be suspended from further participation in the competition.
8.n. Player/team official, while under suspension
and attending a game as a spectator, behaves in a manner that brings the game
into disrepute,
Penalty: Minimum $100 fine and
suspended from attendance at the game sites.
8.o. Team fails to send a representative to the
VMSL Annual General Meeting and/or a pre-competition meeting,
Penalty: Minimum $25 fine.
8.p. Team fails to fulfill Provincial and/or Club
National commitment,
Penalty: Minimum $100, plus the BC
Soccer and Canada Soccer fines that are assessed to the VMSL.
8.q.
Team fails to respond to VMSL Cup Opt In Email by stated deadline.
Penalty: Minimum $25 fine; fine
re-issued with any subsequent further deadlines missed.
Section
9 – Players
9.1. All players to be eligible to take part in
VMSL games must be registered in a form approved by BC Soccer, and filed by the
VMSL with the BC Soccer Registrar.
For clarity, this includes
following the applicable FIFA / Canada Soccer / BC Soccer rules with respect to
international and provincial transfer certificates. A player who fails to
process an ITC / PTC when required to play in BC is deemed to be an ineligible
player.
The VMSL player registration fee
(independent of any ICT/PCT transfer fees) is currently set at $60 for
returning players (with a current VMSL login) and $75 for new players to the
league.
9.2. (a) A player shall be eligible
to take part in VMSL game play from the date of registration completion with
the VMSL / BC Soccer providing he has a valid VMSL digital ID card or special
permit issued by the VMSL.
(b) A player will not be given a
VMSL digital ID card unless they have met all the requirements of registration
which include completing the online registration, uploading a headshot,
completing payment of the player registration fee, completing any necessary
international, provincial or local transfer or amateur reinstatement and
providing proof of identity and date of birth and signing the registration
confirmation form.
(c) Notwithstanding subsections (a)
and (b), a player is only eligible to play provided he is not suspended and has
completed all necessary BC Soccer paperwork.
9.3. A player or team staff under
suspension by the VMSL or BC Soccer is an ineligible player or team staff and
cannot participate in a VMSL game either as a player or a team staff. (See
Section 11 for more detail.)
9.4. It is the team’s
responsibility to present a valid game-specific VMSL digital ID card at each
game that the player intends to play in.
The match official and both teams have access to the game-specific VMSL
digital ID cards of both teams. The match official may choose to refer to his
own copy of the game-specific VMSL ID cards to check-in players. A player who
does not have a card in his team’s game-specific VMSL digital ID card deck or
does not have a special permit issued by the VMSL is deemed to be an ineligible
player. A team attempting to check in a player under someone else’s player ID
will be sanctioned under Rule 8.b whether the ineligible player plays or not.
9.5. Players transferring from one
team to another within BC are subject to BC Soccer Rule 7 - Transfer of Players.
All player transfers must be filed
with and approved by the VMSL.
(a) When transferring to another
team, a BC Soccer transfer form must be completed and releasing and accepting
club’s signatures obtained before being submitted to the VMSL (in digital or
hard copy) along with the current transfer fee.
(b) A player is entitled to a
transfer provided he has complied with all the provincial, district or league
rules and regulations and is not indebted to the current team, district or
league.
(c) A player is entitled to a
transfer as hereinafter provided, by January 15th of the current year for the
coastal/winter-playing season, except as provided below, and by June 30th of
the current year for the interior/summer-playing season, except as provided
below.
(d) A player shall not be allowed
to transfer during the team’s playing season without the consent of the team
for which the player is registered. Such consent must not to be unreasonably
withheld if the player is not indebted to the current team.
(e) A player currently under
suspension and seeking a transfer is not eligible to play until the suspension
has been served with his current team. For clarity, the transfer of a player
who is suspended will not be fully processed until the suspension is served
with the releasing team and the associated fine is paid in full. (Note: A
suspended player can still transfer by the January 15 deadline even if still
suspended but the player will not be eligible to play until the suspension is
served with the releasing team. If transferring from outside the VMSL, the
player must be registered in the VMSL system and the transfer fee paid by
January 15.)
(f) Once a team plays its first
league game in the current playing season any player movement thereafter would
be subject to the transfer regulations.
9.6. Any player playing under more
than one name, and/or for more than one BC Soccer affiliated team, shall be
immediately suspended for the balance of the season at a minimum.
In addition, his club will be
liable for a minimum two hundred and fifty dollar ($250) fine. Any subsequent
infringement of this regulation by the club will render the club liable to
expulsion from the VMSL.
9.7. VMSL digital ID cards for all players on the
current team list must be presented to the referee, together with the team
list, before the commencement of the game. In the VMSL, it is the referees
right to demand only uniformed and checked in players and checked in team staff
be present within the technical area and team bench
9.8. To be current and acceptable, every VMSL
digital ID card must indicate:
(a) Name in full.
(b) Current team playing for.
(c) A passport size photograph of
true likeness of player.
(d) Annual authentication by the
VMSL.
9.9. A youth player playing in the
VMSL on permit must show the referee a valid VMSL digital identification card
as part of the team’s game specific digital ID card deck. This requires all
youth permit players to register with the VMSL as a youth to senior permit
player. For each game, a youth player must complete the BC Soccer youth to
senior permitting process including approval from the youth team, youth
district, the VMSL and BC Soccer. A BC Soccer parental liability acknowledgment
form must be completed once per season per player and registered with the VMSL.
No team within a club can permit youth players (nor sign, CAT or ICP underage
players) unless all their team staff have registered a current criminal record
check with the VMSL. A team can only use four youth permits per game (except in
U21 where a team can use up to 8 youth permits). When a U21 team uses more than
four youth permits in a game, there is a charge of $10 per youth permit for the
permits beyond the fourth. These limits apply to both the number of youth
permits that can be used in a game as well as the number that can be applied
for.
9.10. An eligible player who is
late for the kick-off may participate in the game upon presentation of his VMSL
digital ID card to the referee, together with a substitution slip if required.
9.11. The referee will check the
VMSL digital ID cards prior to the commencement of the game to verify the
identity of each player. Any discrepancies must be reported to both teams prior
to the commencement of the game and a detailed report submitted to the VMSL
president within 24 hours.
9.12. Should the manager or coach
insist on fielding a player without a valid VMSL digital ID card (or special
permit issued by the VMSL), the referee must inform the opposing manager or
coach and report the infraction to the VMSL within 24 hours. (A player without
a valid VMSL digital ID card or special permit is an ineligible player. See
VMSL Rule 8.b. for the ramifications of playing an ineligible player.)
9.13. Managers are responsible for
ensuring that all VMSL digital ID card information is correct. Any
discrepancies must be reported to the VMSL Board of Directors immediately.
9.14. Any player ejected from the
game by the referee shall be reported to the Player Discipline Committee,
within 48 hours.
9.15. The VMSL digital ID card and
the roster will be marked “suspended” until the player’s suspension has been
served. If the associated fine ($30 per game minimum) has not been paid by the
time the suspension is served, late fees accrue at $30 per game.
9.16. Confirmation that the
requisite number of games have been “sat out” by the player must be established
prior to the player resuming playing.
9.17 All team staff intending to be
present in the technical and/or team bench area during any league or cup game
must be registered with the VMSL. The team staff registration process requires
that team staff provide their full name, email address, phone number, headshot,
birthdate. All team staff must agree to the team staff code of conduct each
season.
Section
10 – Substitutes
10.1. In all Premier, Division 1
and Imperial Cup matches under the jurisdiction of the VMSL each team is
allowed to make a maximum of five substitutions during a total entire game.
When extra time is required, a sixth substitute is permitted. In Premier,
Division 1 and Imperial Cup, all substitutions including those made at half
time or extra time game breaks require substitution slips and are counted
toward the maximum. A substitute player must present to the referee a valid
substitution slip upon entering the field of play.
10.2. Players substituted shall be
permitted to take further part in a game, each change to be counted as a
substitution.
10.3. In all Division 2, U21,
Division 2 Cup and U21 Cup matches under the jurisdiction of the VMSL, each
team is allowed to make a maximum of five game-time substitutions during a
total entire game, which includes extra time when played but unlimited substitutions
will be allowed at half time and extra time breaks. In all Division 2, U21,
Division 2 Cup and U21 Cup matches under the jurisdiction of the VMSL,
substitutes entering at half time and extra time breaks must not provide
substitution slips. In Division 2 and U21 League and Cup play, only the
game-time substitutes should present to the referee a valid substitution slip
upon entering the field of play.
10.4. In the Masters Divisions,
unlimited substitutions will be allowed during the entire game in League and
League Cup Play.
10.5 In Divisions 3 and 4 and in
the Division 3 Cup and the Division 4 Cup, unlimited substitutions will be
allowed during the entire game.
10.6 In no case do any of the
aforementioned unlimited substitution rules allow for substitutions to be made
once the final whistle has been blown before penalty kicks (whether that be at
the 90 or 120 minute mark depending on the particular cup format.)
10.7. In Premier, Division 1,
Division 2 and the U21 Division, with the exception of half time and extra time
breaks in Division 2, U21, Division 2 Cup and U21 Cup, a team found to have
made more than five (5) substitutions in a game shall be considered to have
played an ineligible player. The provisions of Article 6.5 of the By-Laws and
Section 8.b of the Rules and Regulations shall apply.
Section
11 – Discipline Committees
11.1. The Board of Directors shall
appoint a Discipline Chair.
(a) Player and Staff Discipline
shall be determined by the Discipline Chair or an appointed Adjudicator that
does not have a conflict of interest in the particular case being reviewed.
(b) A Player may request an appeal
hearing on the original disciplinary decision with the VMSL Discipline Review
Panel within 7 days of the original discipline decision being posted and the
Player being notified of that decision.
11.2. The Board of Directors shall
form a Discipline Review Panel. Such committee shall consist of three (3)
members, including a member of the VMSL Board of Directors who shall act as
Chair of the panel.
(a) The Chair shall only have a
tie-breaking vote.
(b) Attendance by any other person
at committee meetings shall be by invitation only.
(c) Discipline Review Panel
hearings shall be held at a time and place as designated by the Board of
Directors.
11.3. The Board of Directors shall
form a Club Discipline Committee. Such committee shall consist of all members
of the Board of Directors, including a member who shall act as Chair of the
committee.
(a) The Club Discipline Committee
Chair shall only have a tie-breaking vote.
(b) Attendance by any other person
at committee meetings shall be by invitation only.
(c) Club Discipline meetings shall
be held at a time and place as designated by the Board of Directors.
11.4. Decisions made by the Player
and Staff Discipline Adjudicator, Discipline Review Panel and Club Discipline
Committee shall be based on the guidelines regarding discipline as declared in
the Constitutions of BC Soccer and Canada Soccer respectively. Clubs are
responsible for outstanding fine payments and ensuring that members attend
Discipline Hearings.
11.5. Any player or team staff who
is ejected from a game either via a straight red card or a second caution is
ineligible to play or coach in VMSL League or League Cup play until their
suspension is served.
11.6. A player or team staff
suspended for the accumulation of yellows over multiple League games is not
barred from playing or coaching in League Cup games.
11.7. A player or team staff
suspended for the accumulation of yellows over multiple League Cup games, is
not barred from playing or coaching in League games.
11.8. A player or team staff who
accumulates four yellow cards in league play will be suspended and ineligible
to play or coach for one game. A player or team staff who accumulates two more
(six total) yellow cards in league play will be suspended for another game and
is ineligible to play or coach. A player or team staff who accumulates one more
(seven total) yellow cards in league play will be suspended and is ineligible
to play or coach until they appear before the Discipline Committee. A player or
team staff who accumulates more than seven total yellow cards in league play
will be suspended and ineligible to play or coach until they appear before the
Discipline Committee each time they get another yellow card in league play.
11.9. A player or team staff who
accumulates three yellow cards in League Cup play will be suspended and
ineligible to play or coach for one cup game.
11.10. A player or team staff who
is under suspension for a game that is defaulted, will be deemed to have served
a suspension for that game, regardless of which team forfeited the game.
11.11. League yellow accumulation
suspensions (but not Cup yellow accumulation suspensions) will apply to all
VMSL playoff games related to relegation, promotion, divisional and sectional
championship and league placement. Yellow accumulation suspensions will not
apply to playoffs with the sole purpose to determine Provincial Cup
qualification.
11.12. Four game League yellow
accumulation suspensions and Cup yellow accumulation suspensions will not be
carried over from season to season but the associated fines must be paid. All
other suspensions will carry over from season to season. A player must be
registered in the VMSL to serve games. Carryover suspensions are thus not
decremented unless and until a player is registered in a following season
except in exceptional circumstances at the discretion of the VMSL based on a
formal written request.
11.13 When a referee ejects a
member of the team staff or reports team staff misbehaviour, the VMSL will
determine the length of any suspension and associated fine. A suspended team
staff member is suspended from playing and coaching in the VMSL while serving
their team staff suspension.
11.14 A suspended player or team
official cannot be involved in any match-related activities, including warm-up,
pre-game talks, dressing room access, player check in, referee payment, club
assistant referee duties or half time talks. The suspended player or team
official may attend the match as a spectator, but must stay well away from the
field of play and the team benches from one hour before and 30 minutes after
the game. A suspension prohibits interference in the match, or participation as
a player or team official or club assistant referee or directly communicating
in any way with players, team officials or game officials.
11.15 Anyone suspended as a player
or coach may be barred by the League from refereeing in the VMSL until their
suspension is served, depending on the nature of the associated offence.
Section
12 – Club Affiliated Team (CAT) System
12.1. Clubs fielding more than one
team in the VMSL may operate one or more Club Affiliated Team (CAT) systems
within their club.
A CAT system is a collection of
teams within a club with no more than one team from each age group – Under 21,
Open, Over 35, Over 45 and Over 55 that allows for unlimited player sharing
subject to age restrictions.
12.2. Clubs may run more than one
CAT system within their club but each must be a distinct CAT system with
distinct name that cannot share any players with the other CAT system(s),
except potentially through an Intra Club Permit per Section 13.
A club must declare, prior to the
commencement of the VMSL season, which of its teams is to be part of their CAT
system(s). Teams in a CAT system must all have the same name other than the A,
U21, M-A, M-B or M-C designation depending on the age group the team is in. The
only exception to this rule is that a unique extension can be added following
the A, U21, M, M-A, M-B or M-C designation (Note, clubs can have B and C teams
in the open divisions but these teams cannot be CAT’d. B and C teams only participate
in the Intra-Club Permit (call up) system detailed below). If two or more clubs
merge in order to form a CAT system, this must be declared prior to the
commencement of the VMSL season.
The use of CAT players requires
that the receiving team manager add, prior to the game via the league website,
the required CAT players from their CAT system and to have these CAT players
appear on the game-specific system-generated roster sheet and game-specific
Digital Player ID cards. The system will only permit valid CAT players to be
added to a roster.
12.3. Players registered on teams
designated by a club to be within one of their CAT systems are eligible to play
(in League games only) on certain applicable other teams designated to be part
of that particular CAT system without a transfer. Players registered on teams
not designated by a club to be within one of their CAT systems are not eligible
to play on any other team in the league without a transfer or an intra-club
permit (ICP).
12.4. Players are only eligible to
compete in Cup competition for the team with which they are registered.
12.5. Players in the CAT system
will serve any suspensions with the team with which they are registered. While
they are serving a suspension with the team with which they are registered,
they are not eligible to play for any other team in their CAT system.
Section
13 – Intra-Club Permits (ICP) – Call Ups
13.1. All clubs with more than one
team in the VMSL may use the Intra-Club Permit (ICP) system to call up players.
ICPs are only used when a CAT relationship between the teams is not in place or
is not allowed (such as with teams in the same age category).
An ICP allows a limited number of
players from a lower level team within a club to play up with a higher level
team within a club subject to age restrictions. For the purposes of an ICP, the
hierarchy of levels is Premier, Division 1, Division 2, Division 3, Division 4,
Over 35 Premier, Over 35 Division 1, Over 35 Division 2, Over 45 Premier, Over
45 Division 1, Over 45 Division 2, Over 55 Division, Under 21.
Age restrictions apply to Over 35,
Over 45 and Over 55 divisions as follows. An Over 35 underage player cannot ICP
except into open. An Over 45 underage player cannot ICP except into Over 35 or
open. An Over 55 underage player cannot ICP except into Over 45, Over 35 or
open. Underage Over 35 and Over 45 players cannot ICP to a team in a division
within the same age group.
13.2. No declaration other than to
which club a team is affiliated prior to the commencement of the VMSL season is
needed to use the ICP system within a club. Teams affiliated as a club must use
the same core club name in their team name.
The use of ICP players (or Call
Ups) requires that the receiving team manager add, prior to the game via the
league website, the required ICP players and to have these ICP players appear
on the game-specific system-generated roster sheet and game-specific Digital
Player ID cards. The system will only permit valid call ups to be added to a
roster.
13.3. ICPs are only in effect for
league games. Playoff games for Promotion, Relegation, Division Championship
(but not Provincial Cup Qualification) are considered league games. Players are
only eligible to compete in Cup competition for the team with which they are
registered.
13.4. Open and Over 35 teams
calling up players from one or more lower level teams within their club are
limited to a maximum total of 4 players per game. Over 45 teams calling up
players from a lower Over 45 Division team or Over 55 Division team within
their club are limited to a maximum of 8 players per game. Under 21 teams
calling up players from an Under 21B Division team within their club (if an
Under 21B Division is in place) are limited to a maximum of 8 players per game.
Under 21 teams cannot call up players from Open divisions even if the players
are under 21.
13.5. Players will serve any
suspensions with the team with which they are registered regardless of whether
the suspension was a result of playing in a game on an ICP. While they are
serving a suspension with the team with which they are registered, they are not
eligible to play for any other team in their club via an ICP.
Section
14 – Premier Division
14.1 The Premier Division shall be limited to one
team per club.
14.2 Any team seeking promotion to the Premier
Division from Division 1 cannot be affiliated with a Club that has a team in
the Premier Division in the season that they seek promotion.
14.3 Any team wishing to disassociate from a club
with a team in the Premier Division for the purposes of seeking promotion in a
given season must submit to the League (in writing no less than 14 days before
the commencement of play in the league season) a description of the structural
changes being made and the associated name change request for review.
Section
15 – Masters’ Divisions
15.1. For the 2025-26 season,
players born in 1990 or earlier will be allowed to play in the Over 35
Divisions.
For the 2025-26 season, players
born in 1980 or earlier will be allowed to play in the Over 45 Divisions.
For the 2025-26 season, players
born in 1972 or earlier will be allowed to play in the Over 55 Division under
the interim age rules.
15.2. For 2025-26, each team in the
Over 35 Divisions will be allowed to register 3 underage players. These players
must be born in 1991, 1992 or 1993. These players will be allowed to
participate in regular League play as well as Cup play. However, they will not
be allowed to participate in the Over 35 Provincial Cup competition (or any
Provincial Cup qualification playoff games).
For 2025-26, each team in the Over
45 Divisions will be allowed to register up to 3 underage players born in 1981,
1982 or 1983. These players will be allowed to participate in regular League
play as well as Cup play. However, they will not be allowed to participate in
the Over 45 Provincial Cup competition (or any Provincial Cup qualification
playoff games).
For 2025-26, each team in the Over
55 Division will be allowed to register up to 3 underage players. These players
must be born in 1973, 1974 or 1975 under the interim age rules.
If a CATing team has not registered
a player into one or more of its underage spots in the Over 35, Over 45 or Over
55 Divisions, it can fill these open underage spots in league games on a game
by game basis from its CAT system.
15.3. There will be three Over 35
Divisions: Premier Division, Division 1, Division 2, and three Over 45s
Divisions, Premier Division, Division 1 and Division 2. The following
promotion/relegation system will be in effect for both Over 35 Divisions and Over
45 Divisions: the two bottom teams from the Premier Division will be relegated
to Division 1, while the two top teams from Division 1 will be promoted to the
Premier Division. The two bottom teams from Division 1 will be relegated to
Division 2 and the two top teams from Division 2 will be promoted to Division
1.
There will be one Over 55 Division
without relegation or promotion.
Teams in Over 35 Premier and
Division 1 are entitled to enter the Masters A Cup. Teams in Over 35 Division 2
and Over 45 Premier, and Division 1 are entitled to enter the Masters B Cup.
Over 45 Division 2 as well Over 55 Division are entitled to enter the Masters C
Cup.
Section
16 – Under 21 Division
16.1. For the 2025-26 season,
players born in 2005 and younger will be allowed to play in the Under 21
Division.
16.2. Each Under 21 team that is
part of a CAT system will be allowed to use a maximum of 2 overage players,
belonging to the club’s CAT system, in League games (as an exception to the
general CAT rules).
16.3.
Each Under 21 team will be allowed to use an unlimited number of players who
are under 21 but registered with the open age team in their CAT system, in
League games.
