5.3 Minimum Fines And Penalties For Players
Please see AMSA Appeal Process for more information.
5.3 MINIMUM FINES AND PENALTIES FOR PLAYERS
A. RED CARD (SENDING-OFF) OFFENSES
The following are minimum penalties for the seven red card (sending-off) offenses:
- Violent conduct: Three (3) match-day suspension and a $50.00 fine.
- Spitting at an opponent or any other person: Three (3) match-day suspension and a $50.00 fine.
- Serious foul play: Two (2) match-day suspension and a $25.00 fine.
- Denying the opposing team a goal or an obvious goal-scoring opportunity by deliberately handling the ball (this does not apply to a goalkeeper within his own penalty area): One (1) match-day suspension and a $10.00 fine.
- Denying an obvious goal-scoring opportunity to an opponent moving towards the player’s goal by an offense punishable by a free kick or a penalty: One (1) match-day suspension and a $10.00 fine.
- Using offensive, insulting, or abusive language and/or gestures: One (1) match-day suspension and a $10.00 fine.
- Receiving a second caution in the same match: One (1) match-day suspension and a $10.00 fine.
B. ADDITIONAL OR OTHER MISCONDUCT
The following are minimum penalties for misconduct outside the normal sending-off offenses and/or for additional misconduct, subsequent to being shown a red card. In case of additional misconduct, the penalty below shall be imposed in addition to that for the initial sending-off offense. In incidents involving multiple additional offenses, only the most serious additional penalty shall be imposed administratively. The most serious additional penalty shall be the one carrying the longest suspension, or, if suspensions are equal, the greater fine. Additional penalties may be appealed.
1. Foul or abusive language toward a Referee, Association officer or employee not including a threat of violence: Two (2) match-day suspension and a $25 fine.
2. Foul or abusive language toward a Referee or Association officer or employee which includes a threat of violence: Three (3) match-day suspension and a $50.00 fine. Mandatory immediate suspension from all AMSA matches, pending appeal hearing.
3. Spitting at a Match Official, an Association officer or employee: Four (4) match-day suspension and a $75 fine.
4. Hitting, kicking, or other inappropriate physical contact with a Match Official, an Association officer or employee (excluding spitting), in a manner likely to cause bodily injury: One (1) year suspension and a $100.00 fine. Mandatory immediate suspension from all AMSA matches, pending appeal hearing.
5. Shoving or other inappropriate physical contact with a Match Official, an Association officer or employee (excluding spitting), but in a manner unlikely to cause bodily injury: Six-month suspension and a $50.00 fine. Mandatory immediate suspension from all AMSA matches, pending appeal hearing.
6. Failure of a player who has been sent off and shown a red card to promptly go to the parking lot or leave the entire complex: Additional One (1) match-day suspension and $25.00 fine.
7. Fighting. Fighting consists of hitting, kicking or otherwise delivering or attempting to deliver, blows to another person beyond the course of play. Fighting may be penalized by a suspension of any length, including a life-time ban, and by a fine of up to $50.00. A team may also be punished for fighting by anyone associated in any way with such team. Notwithstanding the provisions of AMSA Rule 5.10, punishment for fighting shall be effective pending appeal.
C. PARTICIPATION BY AN INELIGIBLE PLAYER
An “ineligible player” shall include a player who:
a. is not currently registered with the team for whom he plays:
b. is under suspension from any team with whom he is registered; or
c. having registered for more than one team in the same division, and after having played for one such team, plays for a different team in the same division during the same season, without having transferred as provided in these Rules.
Participation in a match by an ineligible player shall be penalized as follows:
1. First offense: One (1) match suspension for player and Captain; $50.00 fine for the team; and forfeiture of match;
provided that in the case of a player who is ineligible under Subsec. “c” above, the Captain shall not be punished;
and further provided that if the ineligible player played under another player’s name, the suspension for both player and Captain shall be three (3) matches.
2. Subsequent offenses: Three (3) match suspension for player and Captain, $100.00 fine for the team, forfeiture of match, and deduction of additional three (3) points in standings;
provided that if the ineligible player played under another player’s card, the suspension for both player and Captain shall be six (6) matches.
If the official Captain is not present at the match, the penalty shall apply to the person who signed the roster.
D. ACCUMULATION OF CARDS
1. TWO OR MORE RED CARDS
The penalty for being sent off and shown a second red card in a subsequent match for same team during the same full season, Fall and Spring, shall be as follows:
— 2nd red card within season: additional one game suspension and $25 fine;
— 3rd red card within season: additional two game suspension and $50 fine;
— 4th red card within season: additional four game suspension and $100 fine.
2. THREE OR MORE YELLOW CARDS
The penalty for receiving three (3) yellow cards (cautions) in separate matches for a player over a single Round shall be a one (1) match suspension and a $10.00 fine. The suspension is to be served in the player’s next scheduled AMSA match, following the issuing of the third caution, or as soon as the offense comes to the attention of the D&P Committee. A player’s tally of yellow cards accumulated shall be erased, following the conclusion of each Round (except for purposes of computing team misconduct points under Rule 5.4-B).
As amended by the AMSA Executive Committee on February 1, 2022.
