1. Who Can Be Disciplined?
Discipline action may only be taken against a registrant of Ontario Soccer. A registrant is a person who, or an organization which, is named on the register of a governing organization, in accordance with Ontario Soccer published rules. Notwithstanding, any person acting as Coach, Administrator or Game Official shall be considered to be a registrant of the Ontario Soccer regardless of whether he/she has registered to do so.
2. How do I request a hearing?
Except in cases of Ontario Soccer Misconduct Type 1.3, 1.5, 1.6, 1.13, 1.14 and 1.14A an individual who is subject to the Discipline By Review (DBR) System has the right to request to be disciplined by the Discipline By Hearing (DBH) System (right to request a hearing)
The accused shall submit a written request to the EODSA within three (3) days of receiving the dismissal.
This request must be submitted by email and the hearing fee of $50.00 must be paid by etransfer or EFT.
The Request for Hearing Fee shall be returned only if the accused is found not guilty of the charge by the Discipline Hearing Panel.
To request a hearing within the jurisdiction of a League, please contact the League for the appropriate procedures.
3. How do I postpone a hearing that has already been scheduled?
Any party required to attend a hearing may request one (1) postponement of that hearing.
The party must submit a Request for Postponement, in writing, to the organization having jurisdiction to hear the case and must state the reason for requesting the postponement.
The Request for Postponement must be received no later than four (4) days prior to the date of that hearing and must be accompanied by the correct Request for Postponement Fee.
The governing organization shall have full discretion to refund the Request for Postponement Fee if sufficient reason warrants such action.
4. What if I don't show up to my scheduled hearing?
If the accused fails to attend the hearing as scheduled, the hearing will not proceed, the accused will be fined in accordance with the Schedule of Fees, Fines, Bonds & Penalties and the accused will be suspended from all soccer related activities until he/she requests and attends a hearing; suspended from all or any specific soccer related activity either permanently, indefinitely, or for a stated period of time; suspended for a specific number of scheduled games in a designated competition(s); fined and/or bonded (with or without suspension).
5. Who Can Attend a Hearing?
The accused individual or organization or his/her/its representative must attend a hearing. Anyone representing an accused must provide a signed proxy from the accused before being allowed to participate at the hearing.
Adviser - a person of 18 years of age or older who provides advise to any party required to attend a Discipline Hearing or to the Discipline Hearing Panel.
Observer - is permitted to attend a Discipline Hearing in order to ensure that a specific party receives a fair and constitutional hearing. Each party required to attend a hearing is entitled to have a maximum of 2 observers.
Club Representative - Each Club is entitled to send a representative to a Discipline Hearing at which one of its players, coaches or administrators has been charged with a Misconduct Type. A Club Representative may serve as an adviser.
OSRA Representative or Representative of Local Referee Association - the OSRA or a Local Referee Association is entitled to send a representative to a Discipline Hearing at which one of its game officials is required to attend as the accused, the person who reported the misconduct or as a witness to a misconduct.
Witness - Each party required to attend a Discipline Hearing is entitled to bring witnesses. Witnesses must appear in person. Written reports by witnesses are not acceptable. There is no limit to the number of witnesses but they must be able to add new testimony and the panel has the right to limit the number if the testimony is repetitious.
6. What is the penalty if I am found guilty?
Fees and Fines : Policy 10.0 of Ontario Soccer Discipline Policy (Ontario Soccer web site). Suspensions are set in accordance with the mandatory penalties (Ontario Soccer web site) prescribed by Ontario Soccer.
A Discipline Hearing Panel further has the power to order that the accused be:
Note: the Ontario Soccer Association defines "soccer related activities" as any act excepting disciplining and appealing but including administering, coaching, managing, playing, practicing, or officiating in any activity that falls under the jurisdiction of Ontario Soccer by any party either in person or by proxy).
Suspensions are to be served in accordance with the rules and regulations governing suspension in the competition in which the misconduct occurred.
A player suspended within a specific League's jurisdiction is eligible to compete in other competitions such as tournaments, cups or other leagues.
7. How can I get my suspension reconsidered?
Anyone suspended for a period of 2 years or more may request a review of his/her period of suspension after at least one-half (½) of the suspension has been served. (In any case where the suspension exceeds six (6) years, a review may be requested after three (3) years).
A Request for Suspension Review shall be made to the organization which rendered the suspension and must be submitted in writing accompanied by the correct Suspension Review Fee. The request must also be accompanied by a letter of recommendation from a governing organization (i.e. club, league).