Silverbacks Discipline Policy

In an effort to improve player conduct on the field at Silverbacks Park, we are implementing a new discipline policy that is effective immediately. There are a variety of ways that disciplinary action can be taken during a game. In addition to the referees, we have security and other staff observing games. Any one of these individuals can submit a report for disciplinary action which will be reviewed by park staff.

The length of a suspension for a player shown a red card will vary depending on the severity of the foul. For example, a sending off due to a second yellow card will result in a one week ban, as will a red card received for a professional foul. Dissent leading to a red card will generally earn a two week ban, while violent conduct can be punished with a three week ban. Of course, each case is examined based on its own merits and bans may be reduced or extended as determined by park staff.

If you want to understand what constitutes a yellow card or a red card, feel free to check out FIFA 2019 Rules. Please note that suspensions do not require the issuance of a card. If a member of the security team or park staff observes any type of misconduct that the referee was unable to see, you can still be suspended. Fighting of any kind will result in a minimum three week ban. Threatening physical violence against another player or referee will incur an automatic nine week ban. If any player is shown a red card, they will be required to sign an incident report in the office and then will be escorted out of the park. During your suspension, you will not be permitted at the park. Repeat offenders will be subject to multi-year or lifetime bans from the park.

Please note that suspensions are week long suspensions, not game suspensions. This means if you play on Monday and receive a one week ban for your conduct, you will be suspended from Tuesday to Tuesday the following week. This means if you play on another team on Tuesday, Wednesday and/or Thursday, you will not be permitted to play in any of those games as well.

In the future, we will be implementing a Disciplinary Committee that will assign suspensions based on a review of the incident. Players will have the ability to appeal their suspension to the Disciplinary Committee if they feel their suspension was not warranted. Lastly, we will be installing 16 cameras to cover all fields so that we can review the game footage when we have an incident.

The goal is to eliminate fighting and disrespectful behavior at the park. By all means, we want you to play your best, most competitive soccer, but play with respect. Respect for yourself, your team, and the beautiful game we all love to play. As always, thank you for choosing Silverbacks Park!