LUBBOCK SOCCER ASSOCIATION

BY-LAWS

and

GENERAL RULES

September, 1987

REVISED: August, 2006

LUBBOCK SOCCER ASSOCIATION

BY-LAWS and GENERAL RULES  

Chapter 5: By-Laws of the Lubbock Soccer Association

Lubbock Soccer Association

General Rules

5. Chapter 5: Discipline, Protests, Grievances and Appeals

The Discipline and Appeals Committee of the Lubbock Soccer Association is the judicial branch of the Association. Appeals about actions and/or decisions of Association officers, coaches, and referees will be filed with the Chairman of the Appeals and Discipline Committee unless an alternate review process is specified in some part of the By-Laws or the Rules & Regulations of the Lubbock Soccer Association. Protests and grievances will also be filed with the Chairman. The referees of Lubbock Soccer Association sanctioned games will file a North Texas State Soccer Association Referee’s Report of Misconduct with the Chairman for ALL incidents in which the referee issues a CAUTION, SEND OFF, or suspends a game or alleges misconduct by any person (this includes cases of alleged referee abuse - the referee must file a copy of the Report with the Chairman even though the incident will be adjudicated by the North Texas State Soccer Association).

    NOTE: All comments in this chapter regarding the actions of the North Texas State
               Soccer Association, its officers, and its committees are explanatory in nature and
               do not bind the State Association in any way. The actions of the State Association,
               its officers and committees are governed by the North Texas State Soccer
               Association Administrative Handbook. The explanations included herein are
               intended to inform the members of the Lubbock Soccer Association of their rights
               and obligations due to the Lubbock Soccer Association’s membership in the North
               Texas State Soccer Association. In case of conflicts between this chapter and the
               North Texas State Soccer Association Administrative Handbook, the NTSSA
               Handbook will be the definitive document.

    5.1. AUTHORITY

            5.1.1. All members and participants in youth soccer within the jurisdiction of the
                     Lubbock Soccer Association have requested to participate in our programs.
                     Therefore, these participants have agreed to abide by the By-Laws and Rules &
                     Regulations of the Lubbock Soccer Association, as well as those of the North
                     Texas State Soccer Association, the United States Soccer Federation, and the
                     United States Youth Soccer Association. The Lubbock Soccer Association
                     By-Laws provide that it has jurisdiction over all players, coaches, team
                     managers, administrators, referees, and teams who choose to affiliate. Any
                     member or participant in youth soccer within the jurisdiction of NTSSA found in
                     violation of the Articles of Incorporation, Bylaws, Rules and Regulations of
                     NTSSA, the Lubbock Soccer Association, as well as those of the United
                     States Soccer Federation and its National Associations of which North Texas
                     State Soccer Association is a member , may be subject to publication in the
                     monthly newsletter or NTSSA President's Newsletter of their name, the type of
                     violation, and the disciplinary action taken. Publication will be limited to
                     individuals receiving disciplinary actions of three months or greater.

            5.1.2. The Discipline and Appeals Committee of the Lubbock Soccer Association will
                     hold hearings - WITH THE PARTIES HAVING THE RIGHT TO BE PRESENT -
                     on every player/coach/assistant coach sent off, on referee’s reports of serious
                     misconduct by spectators and/or parents. These hearings will, unless
                     absolutely impossible to schedule, be held and decisions communicated to the
                     involved parties and league officials before the individual involved is scheduled
                     to play another game sanctioned by the Lubbock Soccer Association. The use
                     of tape recorders (audio or video), court reporters, and the presence of
                     attorneys (in their professional capacity) at hearings conducted by either the
                     Discipline and Appeals Committee or by the Board of Directors acting as an
                     appellate body is not allowed.