• Current Suspensions / Fines
• Card Suspensions
• Game Misconduct
• Send-Offs and Dismissals
• Sending-Off Offenses
• Send-Off Discipline/Suspension
• Cautionable Offenses
• WPS Yellow Card Accumulation Policy
• Players One Caution Away from Suspension
• Players Two Cautions Away from Suspension
• Double Jeopardy
• Player and Staff Discipline
• Appeals from Discipline

• None.

Red card and yellow card accumulation suspensions collected during WPS Season Games will be served in the Team’s next WPS Season Game. Suspensions earned in an Exhibition Game will be served in the next Exhibition Game. For any suspension due to a red card or yellow card, the Player will continue to receive her pay, notwithstanding any fine which may be imposed in connection with such infraction.

Any Player who receives a red card in her last Game of the Season (Regular Season or Playoffs), will serve the one Game suspension during her next Game (whether it is during the Playoffs, Championship Game, or in the next Regular Season Game of the following season). All card suspensions will, if necessary, follow a Player to a new Team. All fines associated with cautions or send-offs will be collected in the current season.

The first responsibility for disciplining game misconduct shall rest with the Referee pursuant to the FIFA Laws of the Game. In addition, Players, Coaches, and other Team staff may be disciplined by the League or their Team for game misconduct pursuant to this Section, and may be subject to further discipline pursuant to other rules or procedures. For any game misconduct the League may consider all information available, including match film of the conduct in question.

1. SEND-OFFS AND DISMISSALS

The penalties set forth in this Section shall apply to all cards given to a Player by a referee in any WPS League Game.

A. Sending-Off Offenses. A Player is shown a red card and sent off if she commits any of the following SEVEN (7) offenses:

1. Is guilty of serious foul play. (SFP)
2. Is guilty of violent conduct. (VC)
3. Spits at an opponent or any other person. (S)
4. Denies an opponent a goal or an obvious goal-scoring opportunity by deliberately handling the ball (this does not apply to a goalkeeper within her own penalty area). (DGH)
5. Denies 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 kick. (DGF)
6. Uses offensive, insulting or abusive language. (AL)
7. Receives a second caution (yellow card) in the same match. (2CT)
   
   

B. Send-Off Discipline/Suspension. Red card suspensions shall be levied for all WPS Games. Players who receive a second yellow card in a Game and thus a red card are deemed to have received a red card. Any Player who receives a red card sending her off from any WPS Game shall receive:

1. For a first offense: Suspension for the remainder of the game in which the infraction occurred and, at least, the next WPS Season game;
2. For a second offense in any WPS Season: A fine of $250 and suspension for the remainder of the game in which the infraction occurred and, at least, the next WPS Season game;
3. For a third offense in any WPS Season: A fine of $500, suspension for the remainder of the game in which the infraction occurred and, at least, the next WPS Season  game, plus additional sanctions at the discretion of the League.
   
   

2. CAUTIONABLE OFFENSES

A Player is cautioned and shown the yellow card if she commits any of the following SEVEN (7) offenses:

A. Unsporting Behavior. (UB)
(The following actions are examples only and are not a complete list)

• Commits a direct free kick foul in a reckless manner (for example, charging, pushing, tripping)
• Commits a direct free kick foul in a reckless manner while tackling for the ball from any direction
• Commits a tactical foul designed to interfere with or impede an opposing team’s attacking play (e.g., pushing an opponent, blatantly holding an opponent or an opponent's uniform, handling the ball deliberately)
• Handles the ball deliberately to score a goal
• Commits an act which, in the opinion of the referee, shows a lack of respect for the game (e.g., aggressive attitude, inflammatory behavior, or taunting)
• Fakes an injury or exaggerates the seriousness of an injury
• Fakes a foul (dives) or exaggerates the severity of a foul
• Interferes with or prevents the goalkeeper from releasing the ball from the hands into play
• Verbally distracts an opponent during play or at a restart
• Unfairly distracts or impedes an opponent performing a throw-in
• Changes jerseys with the goalkeeper during play or without the referee's permission (both players must be cautioned)
• Engages in trickery to circumvent the goalkeeper's limitation on handling the ball played from a teammate's foot (the defender who initiates the "trickery" is cautioned, the decision does not require that the goalkeeper actually handles the ball, and the misconduct can occur during dynamic play or at a restart)
• Makes unauthorized marks on the field
• Removes the jersey or covers the face with a mask or similar device after scoring a goal
• Uses an artificial aid to unfairly assist play (for example, leaning on the shoulders of a teammate, using an article of clothing to avoid direct contact with the ball, moving or removing a corner flag on a corner kick, hanging on a crossbar)
• Uses tobacco or tobacco products in any form in the area of the field
  
  

B. Shows dissent by word or action. (DT)

• Verbally or through action disputes or shows contempt for an official’s decision
• If playing as a goalkeeper, leaves the penalty area (not beckoned by the referee) to engage an official in debate regarding a decision
  
  

C. Persistently infringes the Laws of the Game. (PI)

• Repeatedly fouls or participates in a pattern of fouls directed at an opponent
• Violates Law 14 again, having previously been warned
• If playing as goalkeeper, wastes time, having previously been warned or penalized for this behavior
  
  

D. Delays the restart of play. (DR)

• Kicks or throws the ball away or holds the ball to prevent a free kick restart by an opponent
• Kicks or throws the ball away or holds the ball to prevent a throw-in or corner kick by an opponent
• Fails to restart play after being instructed to do so by the referee or hinders the restart of play
• Excessively celebrates a goal
• Fails to return to the field upon conclusion of the midgame break, fails to perform a kick-off when signaled to do so by the referee, or fails to be in a correct position for a kick-off
• Provokes a confrontation by deliberately touching the ball after the referee has stopped play
  
  

E. Fails to respect the required distance when play is restarted with a corner kick or free kick. (FRD)

• Does not retire at least ten yards away from an opponent’s free kick
• Does not retire at least ten yards away from an opponent’s corner kick
• Does not retire at least two yards away from an opponent's throw-in
  
  

F. Enters or re-enters the field of play without the referee’s permission. (E)

• After having previously been instructed to leave the field to correct equipment
• After having previously been given permission by the referee to leave the field due to an injury
• After having previously been instructed to leave the field due to bleeding or blood on the uniform
  
  

G. Deliberately leaves the field of play without the referee’s permission. (L)

• To place an opponent in an apparent offside position
• Other than through the normal course of play
  
  

3. WPS YELLOW CARD ACCUMULATION POLICY 

Last Updated: Aug. 7, 2009

The following player(s) are two cautions from suspension

WPS uses a yellow card accumulations system to determine suspensions by yellow card infractions, otherwise known as cautionable offenses. The first one (1) game suspension occurs after a Player has accumulated 2 yellow cards in the same game resulting in one (1) red and a game dismissal.

A. For Players accumulating yellow cards the following penalties will apply:

• Three yellow cards to a single Player in three consecutive games played will result in that Player being suspended for the next match in which she is otherwise available to play (not counting games for which Player is suspended, injured, or on national team duty.) For the purpose of identifying the three consecutive games, the first game counted is the first game in which Player receives a yellow card.
• Four yellow cards to a single Player (nonconsecutive) accumulated will result in that Player being suspended for the next match in which she is otherwise available to play.
• A subsequent three cards (total of 7) by the same Player accumulated throughout the season will result in a three-match suspension and fine ($250).
• If there is a third incident of three cards (10) by the same Player that Player will sit out a total of five matches and be imposed a fine ($500).
• Accumulated yellow cards will be cleared and recorded at zero (0) for Players who play any length of time in four (4) consecutive games without a yellow or red card, including going from seasonal games to playoff games.
• If a Player receives two yellow cards in the same match and is thus suspended from the next game in which she is available to play, one of the two yellow cards is cleared from her accumulated total following her service of the suspension.
  
  

B. Double Jeopardy. Should a player be awarded a yellow card during the regular season or playoffs that puts her over any of the suspension thresholds (thus suspending her from her next game) AND is later sent off from the same game for receiving a SECOND YELLOW CARD in the same match, that player will only be suspended for ONE (1) game and shall not have either yellow card added to her yellow card total.

However, should a player be awarded a yellow card during the regular season or playoffs that puts her over any of the suspension thresholds (thus suspending her from her next game) AND is later sent off from the same game for receiving a STRAIGHT RED CARD (e.g., serious foul play, violent conduct, spitting, denying a goal scoring opportunity {handball or foul}, or abusive language/gestures) in the same match, that player shall be suspended for her next TWO (2) games and the yellow card shall be added to her yellow card total.

1. LEAGUE DISCIPLINE

The League may impose discipline on Players, Teams, or League or Team staff, and Teams may impose discipline on their own Players and Team staff. Penalties may include a fine, suspension and/or other sanctions. The responsibility and authority to dispense discipline on behalf of the League resides with the Commissioner. The Commissioner may delegate to certain League bodies, committees, entities or personnel the authority to impose discipline on the Commissioner’s behalf. However, the Commissioner retains the right to increase, lessen, modify, or overrule the penalties assessed by the delegate. The term “League” as used in this sections shall denote the Commissioner and or her/his designee, e.g. the Disciplinary Committee.

2. DISCIPLINARY COMMITTEE

The League shall have a Disciplinary Committee. The Commissioner has delegated to this Committee League disciplinary powers for on-field infractions. The committee shall be comprised of the League Chief Operating Officer, the League referee liaison, a refereeing representative, and two player representatives, one of whom must be of non-domestic country origin. The refereeing representative shall be a retired referee who has officiated at the professional or international A-Level and is actively involved in the instruction of referees at the professional level or international level. The player representatives shall be retired professional players not associated with any team in the League. The Committee shall meet a minimum of once per week during the League season, and as otherwise convened for any emergency sessions as deemed appropriate by the Commissioner upon her own initiative or at the request of a Disciplinary Committee member.

Incidents for possible review by the Disciplinary Committee are identified in the following ways:

1. The Coaches’ Evaluation of Referee form
2. The Game Incident Report
3. The Referee Game Report (and supplemental report required for incidents)
4. Other communication from a team representative requesting the review of an incident
5. League-identified incidents from review of all matches played the previous weekend or week
6. A representative of the Disciplinary Committee will review film of each game played in order to identify incidents that should be reviewed by the Disciplinary Committee.
   
   

The Disciplinary Committee will recommend further discipline only upon a unanimous decision by committee members.

3. GAME MISCONDUCT 

In addition to and irrespective of whether the Referee awarded a card for a particular misconduct (see above), the League may impose penalties for Game Misconduct as set forth below.

A. Game Official Assault or Abuse. Any Player, coach, or other Team staff member who receives a red card for striking a referee in any WPS game will be subject to a minimum one year suspension in accordance with current USSF rules, and a fine set by the Disciplinary Committee.

B. Coach/Staff Dismissal. Any Coach or Team Staff member dismissed from a WPS Game by the Referee shall receive an automatic fine and suspension as determined by the League.

C. Coach/Staff Misbehavior. Any Coach or other Team Staff member not acting in a professional manner in the opinion of the League, whether or not the incident is reported in the Referee Game Report, shall be subject to a fine and/or suspension.

D. Entering the Field. A Player entering the playing field during a WPS game when not authorized to do so by the referee will be fined not less than $100 nor more than $1,000, and suspended from between 1 and 3 games.

E. Approaching Game Officials. Coaches and Team Staff shall not approach Game Officials prior to the Game, at the end of the half, on the way to, or from, or in the locker room, or at any other time while the Game Officials are in the Home Team city, to lobby for a certain call or approach to the Game, or to criticize a Game Official's performance. The WPS Competition Incident Report form is the proper vehicle to express such opinions. The Referee shall report all such incidents in the Referee Game Report and offending individuals shall be subject to a League fine and/or suspension (see Exhibit A, "Security Guidelines" and Exhibit B, “Game Officials”).

F. Major Game Misconduct. In addition to those offenses set forth above, major fines or suspensions, at the absolute discretion of the League’s Disciplinary Committee, shall be levied against Players (whether or not they were awarded a card by the Referee), Coaches, or other Team Staff for such Game conduct as fighting or provoking a fight, criticizing Game Officials with words or gestures, entering the Game Officials' locker room, physical contact with Game Officials separate from Referee assault, using excessive force, deliberate attempts to injure, spitting, provoking crowd disorders, profane language that can be heard by the crowd or broadcast audience, obscene gestures, improper conduct during the National Anthem, taunting, abuse of spectators and others, failure to leave the field when instructed by the Referee to do so, improper conduct following the receipt of a card, excessive delay tactics or excessive and obvious feigning of injuries, intentional dives, or other unsportsmanlike conduct detrimental to WPS. The League may levy fines and/or suspensions for such behavior whether or not it is reported in the Referee Game Report. Fines pursuant to this section may be levied up to $10,000 and suspensions up to two (2) months.

G. Starting Game/Second Half On-Time. Players or Coaches who refuse or neglect to leave their locker rooms on time to either start the Game or the second half may be fined.

1. APELLATE PROCESS FOR PLAYERS

Definition. This Procedure is available to a Player who wishes to appeal any discretionary suspension or termination by the League.

Initiation. An appeal to the Commissioner may be initiated by a Player who has been suspended or terminated within seven (7) days from the date of the suspension or termination. Because a player may not play in League games while suspended or terminated, including while the suspension or termination is under appeal, an expedited appeal procedure follows.

Filing. Player shall initiate the appeal by sending a written notice by electronic mail (with a confirmation copy by mail), hand delivery, or overnight mail/courier to the League office to the attention of the Commissioner and the General Counsel with a copy to her Team’s General Manager. The notice shall set forth the specifics of the circumstances relating to the suspension or termination, including the date and venue of any game(s) or incidents involved. If the incident resulting in the suspension or termination is an off-field incident, the League shall answer in writing by email (with a confirmation copy by mail), hand delivery, or overnight mail/courier, within the shorter of two (2) calendar days or one (1) business day of receipt thereof. The answer shall set forth admissions or denials as to the facts alleged and the basis for the suspension or termination, including any supporting theories.

Place and Time of Hearing before the Commissioner. The hearing will take place either telephonically or at the League Office, depending on the preference of the Commissioner after seeking input from the parties. The Commissioner will make reasonable best efforts to conduct the hearing within the shorter of two (2) calendar days or one (1) business day of receiving the request. Thus, if Player has a Saturday game and wants a decision by 5 pm ET on a Thursday, Player must file by 8 pm ET on Wednesday. If Player has a game on Sunday, and wants a decision by 5 pm ET on a Friday, Player must file by 8 pm Thursday night.

Conduct of Hearing. The Commissioner will hear position statements and related argument from both the Player and League officials. The hearing will last for 15 minutes, unless extended at the Commissioner’s discretion. Each party may, in good faith, raise arguments and facts not presented in the notice or answer. In the case of off-field incidents, the parties shall each use their best efforts to require witnesses to appear at the scheduled hearing. The party offering the witness shall notify the other party as soon as the availability of the witness is known. The witness may testify by telephone. At the Commissioner’s discretion he/she may query the parties or witnesses on the issues. No written submissions beyond the notice of appeal and answer, if any, and no video submissions are invited, although the Player may petition the Commissioner to receive same, which petition the Commissioner may grant or deny in her discretion.

No Ex Parte Communications. During the appeal period and during the pendency of the appeal, none of the Player, a Team, or a third-party may communicate with the Commissioner regarding the merits or substance of the appeal. Questions regarding process are allowed and should be directed to the League’s General Counsel.

Commissioner’s Decision. The Commissioner will issue a written decision within the shorter of two (2) calendar days or one (1) business day of the hearing. The decision will be sent to the Player via email, with a copy to her Team state whether the suspension or termination is upheld or is rescinded, or whether some lesser penalty will be assessed. The decision of the Commissioner will constitute full, final, and complete disposition of the appeal, and will be binding upon the Player and the League.

Waiver. Failure of Player to file an appeal within the time limit prescribed by Section 1.2 above, shall be deemed a waiver of such appeal, and such waiver shall be final and
binding.

2. PLAYER APPEAL OF A FINE IN AN AMOUNT GREATER THAN $250

Definition. This Procedure is available to a Player who wishes to appeal any fine in excess of $250 which was assessed by the League or her Team.

Initiation. An appeal to the League’s Board Committee for the Appeal of Fines may be initiated by a Player who has been fined in excess of $250 within thirty (30) days from the date the Player received notice of the fine.

Composition of Board Committee. The Board Committee for the Appeal of Fines shall be comprised of the Commissioner, three League Board members, and a fourth Board member who shall be an alternate committee member. The three league Board members shall each be associated with a different Team. The alternate committee member shall be associated with a fourth Team and shall serve in the place of a Board member in the case that the involved Player is from that Board member’s Team, or, if a Board member’s Team stands to gain an on-field competitive advantage based on the outcome of the Committee’s decision. In such case the Board member associated with the same Team shall be recused from the committee for the purposes of hearing that appeal.

Payment of Fine Pending Resolution of Appeal. The assessed fine shall be paid despite the pendency of the appeal. However, the League shall hold the payment in an Appealed Fines account until the resolution of the appeal. The League shall not spend or otherwise make use of the funds in the Appealed Fines account. Upon the resolution of the appeal, the fine payment shall be returned to the Player or transferred to the League’s general account as directed by the Board Committee for the Appeal of Fines.

Filing. Player shall initiate the appeal by sending a written notice by electronic mail (with a confirmation copy by mail), hand delivery, or overnight mail/courier to the League office to the attention of the Commissioner and the General Counsel and, if the appeal relates to a fine imposed by a Team, to the Team General Manager. The League shall promptly forward the notice of appeal to the Board Committee for the Appeal of Fines. The notice shall set forth the specifics of the circumstances relating to the fine, including the date and venue of any game(s) or incidents involved. The fining entity (League or Team) shall answer in writing by email (with a confirmation copy by mail), hand delivery, or overnight mail/courier, within the longer of two (2) calendar days or one (1) business day of receipt thereof. The answer shall set forth admissions or denials as to the facts alleged and the basis for the fine, including any supporting theories.

Place and Time of Hearing before the Board Committee. The hearing will take place telephonically or, at the Commissioner’s discretion, by
videoconference. The hearing shall take place at a mutually agreeable time no later than two weeks after receipt of the fining entity’s answer by the Board Committee for the Appeal of Fines.

Conduct of Hearing. The Committee will hear position statements and related argument from both the Player and the fining entity. Each party may, in good faith, raise
arguments and facts not presented in the notice or answer. In the case of fines based on off-field incidents, the parties may invite witnesses to address the committee during the hearing. The party offering the witness shall notify the other party as soon as the availability of the witness is known. At the Committee’s discretion it may query the parties or witnesses on the issues.

Committee’s Decision. The Committee will issue a written decision within ten (10) days of the hearing. The decision will state whether the fine is upheld, rescinded, or reduced. The decision of the Committee will constitute full, final, and complete disposition of the appeal, and will be binding upon the Player, the League, and any involved Team.

Waiver. Failure of Player to file an appeal within the time limit prescribed by Section 1.2 above, shall be deemed a waiver of such appeal, and such waiver shall be final and
binding.

3. STAFF APPEAL OF A FINE IN AN AMOUNT GREATER THAN $250

Team and League staff may appeal suspensions to the Commissioner and may also appeal fines in excess of $250. As no coach may coach while a suspension is under appeal, an expedited appeal procedure follows. The hearing will take place either telephonically or at the League Office, depending on the preference of the Commissioner after seeking input from the parties. After hearing the appeal, the Commissioner will issue a written decision. The decision of the Commissioner will constitute full, final and complete disposition of the appeal, and will be binding upon the staff member and the League.