CODE OF CONDUCT

07-26-2009

The purpose of this Code of Conduct is to emphasize the importance of Sportsmanship and Proper Behavior. Whether you are a coach, player, referee, or fan, you have an effect on how other people look at the Paris Soccer Club. We hope, as your Paris Soccer Board, that this will make you think before you act. We want to make positive impressions on the teams, players, referees, and tournament officials that we encounter.

In order to ensure that the Paris Soccer Club maintains the highest standard of conduct, a Disciplinary Committee has been established to address infractions of the Paris Soccer Club Code of Conduct. The Paris Soccer Board may empower the Paris Soccer Club Disciplinary Committee take appropriate actions and/or to make recommendations to the Board. The Board may move on these recommendations and take the necessary action. The Disciplinary Committee will be chaired by the President, and composed of the Director of Referees, the Director of Coaches, the Secretary, and the Vice-President. Decisions can be made with a quorum of three. If a committee member has a conflict of interest such as coach, parent, relative or other affiliation with the team, player, or person being dealt with then the President will appoint a temporary replacement for said committee member(s). An appeal may be presented to the Board regarding any actions taken as a result of Disciplinary Committee recommendations. The Board shall report its actions to TSSA if necessary.

SECTION I – Unsportsmanlike Conduct

Unsportsmanlike conduct by a coach, player, or fan is forbidden at any game or other Paris Soccer Club function.
Coaches are responsible for the conduct of their fans, and are expected to assist the referee in his/her efforts to control the game.
All Paris Soccer Club coaches, both recreational and competitive, are required to report any Red Card Ejections to the Director of Referees and Board President within 72 hours of the ejection. Failure to comply will result in a two-game suspension for said coach.
Any player receiving two red cards in one playing season shall receive a minimum two-game suspension, this suspension to be served on top of TSSA or other league suspensions.
Only 2 coaches or managers of a team are allowed in the team area during the game.

SECTION II – Suspension/Discipline of Coaches, Players, or Fans

The Disciplinary Committee may take appropriate actions and/or make recommendations to the Board regarding inappropriate actions of a coach, player, or fan.
The Board may take actions toward a coach, player, or fan for the following offenses:
1. Striking and/or directing derogatory remarks toward a coach, referee, player, fan, or official of Paris Soccer, TSSA, or other supervisory personnel, before, during, or after a game.
2. Consuming or under the influence of intoxicating substances at or near a Paris Soccer sponsored function.
3. Displays of unsportsmanlike conduct during the exchange of sportsmanship handshakes after a game.
4. Other displays of unsportsmanlike conduct and/or actions that would reflect poorly on Paris Soccer Club.
Suspensions and rulings of all US Soccer Affiliated organizations shall be recognized and enforced by Paris Soccer Club upon receipt of notification.

SECTION III – Recruiting/Poaching

Any team which, through its responsible officials, coaches, or other members, attempts to induce a registered player of a team under the jurisdiction of Paris Soccer Club to leave his/her team during the period of registration, which is defined as September 1 to August 31, shall be deemed to have committed an offense of poaching and shall be subject to actions by the Board.

Any coach, team, or its responsible officials found to have illegally recruited and/or poached a player currently rostered on another team will automatically be suspended from all Paris Soccer activities for a period of no less than one (1) year by the Paris Soccer Board. This shall also be reported to TSSA. Rostered competitive players compose a pool of players that can play from team to team , with manager/coach approval.

SECTION IV – Ineligible Player

Any coach on an Paris Soccer affiliated team who allows an ineligible or rostered TMSAA or TSSAA player to participate in a Paris Soccer sanctioned game or games and any player who participates in a Paris Soccer sanctioned game or games may be suspended from all Paris Soccer affiliated activities for the remainder of the current seasonal year and the subsequent year as defined by TSSA.

Penalties for ineligible players shall apply to all Paris Soccer sanctioned play. The Paris Soccer Disciplinary Committee will review the circumstances and determine what harm was done. Based on their review they will make a recommendation to the Board for action.

SECTION V- Authority of the Referee

Each match is controlled by a referee who has full authority to enforce the Laws of the Game in connection with the match to which he/she has been appointed. The referee's authority begins when he/she arrives at the area of the field of play and continues until he/she has left the area of the field after the game has been completed.

The decisions of the referee regarding facts connected with play are final.

The referee may only change a decision on realizing that it is incorrect or, at his/her discretion, on the advice of an assistant referee, provided that he/she has not restarted play.

SECTION VI- Association Representation

As a Board we strive to portray our Association in our appearance as well as actions. The Board reserves the right to approve any designs or insignias displayed by a coach, player, or fan representing Paris Soccer. All teams shall have properly accepted jerseys or t-shirts in accordance with Paris Soccer policy.

The Board shall have sole discretion of enforcing these stated guidelines.