Question 1: What is the A&D Committee and who are its members?

The Appeals & Disciplinary (A&D) Committee is the body that determines a player’s or team’s sanction which includes fines, suspensions and, in extreme cases, expulsions. Generally, player misconduct is punished based upon how the misconduct is described by the referee in his misconduct report. Team misconduct, usually defined as the total accumulation of misconduct points during a season,  is addressed at the conclusion of the season.

The A&D Committee is composed of voluntary members of the soccer association. The Vice President of the association sits on the Committee as chairman and votes only in the event of a tie.

Question 2: Does the player’s past misconduct play a role in the sanctioning process?

Yes. The Committee considers the player’s history of misconduct in making its decision. However, if the misconduct occurred several years ago or is not specifically related to the current incident, then that sort of past misconduct is generally not given much weight.

Question 3: How is a player notified of the A&D Sanctions?

The A&D Chairman notifies the player of his sanction by emailing a Notice of Sanctions to the player’s managers. The manager is responsible for timely forwarding the Notice to his or her player.

Question 4: How does a player or manager appeal a sanction?

A player or his manager may appeal a sanction by submitting an appeal in writing along with a $25 hearing fee. The writing must contain the following information:

• the relief sought (for example, a reduction of the fine or suspension);
• a brief statement of why the player is entitled to such relief;
• a list of any witness, exhibits or other evidence the player/manager wishes to be used at the hearing.

If the player/manager is successful at the hearing, the $25 hearing fee will be refunded or applied toward any applicable fine. In the alternative, the hearing fee may be waived if the player/manager requests the appeal to be heard by written submission only. However, live hearings are generally more successful for the player.

Question 5: Can I appeal a yellow card?

No. The A&D Committee does not have the authority to remove or to throw out a caution (yellow card) received by the player unless the referee admits the caution was given in error.

Question 6: What the heck is the Cumulative Twelve (12) Point System?

Each caution (yellow card) and ejection (red card) is given a number ranging from 1 to 12 points based on the type of misconduct. During the season these points accumulate for the player and the player’s team. See the current  FWASA Rules and Regulations for full details.

Question 7: What are the sanctions for players accumulating too many misconduct points?

A player accumulating 12 or more caution points must serve a 1 game suspension. A player accumulating 18 or more caution points must serve a 2 game suspension. Cautions resulting in an ejection and straight ejections do not count toward this total.

However, a player accumulating 24 or more total misconduct points (including all cautions and ejections) will be subject to review by the A&D Committee and could face expulsion.

Question 8: What are the sanctions for teams accumulating too many points? 

Teams accumulating more than 5 misconduct points per game by the end of the season will not be eligible to receive league trophies, tees, or awards and may be subject to fines. Teams that exceed the accumulated points in two consecutive seasons are subject to to review by the A&D Committee and could face expulsion.

Question 9: Where can I find more information on the Cumulative Twelve (12) Point System?

I’m glad you asked :). You can find all you ever wanted to know about the 12 Point System under the Bylaws and Rules, Chapter 3, Section 3.11.2 of the North Texas State Soccer Assocation (NTSSA). The NTSSA requires all member associations such as FWASA to operate under this rule. Find out more here.

Question 10: Hey, I didn’t see my question? 

Please email vp@fwasa.org with any questions you may have regarding the A&D Committee, sanctions, appeals, or other disciplinary issues.