2019 Playoff Suspension & Discipline Roll Over to 2019-2020 Season
James Togbah (Utica City FC; formerly Kansas City Comets) - Red card issued during game play (KC vs MKE playoff game 2). Additional game suspension issued for a blow to the head. Two game suspension to be served in Game 1 and Game 2 of the 2019-2020 season.
Mark Saxby (Kansas City Comets)- Three game suspension for incident during playoff game vs Milwaukee on April 20, 2019. Suspension to be served in Game 1, 2, 3 of of the 2019-2020 season.
Robert Palmer (Kansas City Comets) - One game suspension for red card. Suspension to be served in Game 1 of the 2019-2020 season.
Regular Season Suspension & Discipline Roll Over to 2019-2020 Season
Ricardo Diegues (Utica City FC, formerly Florida Tropics) - R2 issued for Offensive, insulting, obscene or abusive language and/or gestures towards the referee. One game suspension to be served in Game 1 of the 2019-2020 season.
Diego Salas (Tacoma Stars; formerly El Paso Coyotes) - R1 issued for violent conduct on 4/12. One game suspension to be served in Game 1 of the 2019-2020 season.
Point Accumulation Suspension Roll Over to 2019-2020 Season
Derek Huffman (unsigned) - Point accumulation suspension to be served in players Game 1 of the 2019-2020 season.
Gustavo Rosales (Soles de Sonora; formerly RGV Barracudas) - Point accumulation suspension to be served in players Game 1 of the 2019-2020 season.
Ramone Palmer (Kansas City Comets) - Point accumulation suspension to be served in players Game 1 of the 2019-2020 season.
Penalty Point Accumulation System
Penalty Point Accumulations are as follows:
- 1 point for blue/yellow card
- 2 points for red card
- 2 points for any player who leaves the bench during altercation.
Note: A player cannot accumulate more than two (2) penalty points per match as the player is automatically ejected for infractions beyond a two (2) point accumulation.
List of Penalties which apply towards Accumulation:
BLUE CARD POWER PLAY PENALTIES
- Four Fouls by a player in a half (12.4)
- Any foul committed by Goalkeeper on Shootout PENALTY KICK
- Goalkeeper striking by throwing the ball at or violently pushing opponent while in control of the ball
- Kick (Severe, tactical, or blatant in nature)
- Trip (Severe, tactical, or blatant in nature)
- Reckless Tackle (Severe, tactical, or blatant in nature)
- Two-Footed Tackle
- Charging from behind or Charging Violently or Dangerously (Severe, tactical, or blatant in nature)
- Striking (Severe or blatant in nature)
- Contact Above the Shoulder/Elbow (Severe or blatant in nature)
- Push (Severe, tactical, or blatant in nature)
- Boarding (Severe or blatant in nature)
- Shootout: Denies an Obvious Goal Scoring Opportunity (14.7)
- Unsportsmanlike Conduct (misconduct during mass confrontations or dead ball situations)
YELLOW CARD 5-MINUTE MISCONDUCT (NON POWER PLAY)
RED CARD EJECTIONS
- Violent Conduct or Serious Foul Play
- Offensive, insulting, obscene or abusive language and/or gestures
- Headbutt
- Third man into an altercation
- First off bench joining an altercation
- Leaving the penalty box to engage in an altercation or dissent
- Spitting on or at opponent or official
- Accumulation of 3rd penalty
Point Accumulation Resulting in Suspension are as follows:
7 points = 1 game suspension & undisclosed fine amount
10 points = 1 game suspension & undisclosed fine amount
12 points = 2 game suspension & undisclosed fine amount
Clarification issued February 28, 2019:
In the event a player reaches a number of penalties to warrant suspension, the suspension will be served in the first game of the following game week after the player hits the accumulation points number (7, 10, or 12 points). In the event a player nearing the points suspension number is issued a penalty that counts towards the accumulation (see penalty code list) during a double or triple header game week the team shall be permitted to serve the suspension the following game in that particular game week. However, the team must notify the league office in writing in advance of the game the player is to serve the suspension. The penalty accumulation suspension count must be able to be confirmed in writing from the league office according to the referee game report and ongoing full season accumulation list. If a player hits accumulation suspension in game #23, the player must serve suspension in game #24.
Penalty points will not carry over into playoffs. The player will serve suspension in game #1 of the following season. There will be no point system in the playoffs. e.g. If the player is suspended in game #24, the player will serve suspension in game #1 of the following season.
Red Card Ejections
Ejections will count as two (2) points (Exception: No penalty points will accumulate for a player who is ejected for six (6) fouls in a match).
(R3) Red Cards due to accumulation of cards in a single game are counted 2 points, not 3 points.
Third Time Penalty
Any player who receives a third time penalty in one match resulting in an ejection will be treated as an ejection with respect to penalty points and will be assessed two (2) penalty points.
Diving, Faking, Embellishing – Multiple Offenses
- 1st offense - Warning, 1 point assessed to a player’s ongoing season accumulation
- 2nd offense - 2 points assessed to a player’s ongoing season accumulation, $100 fine to player
- 3rd offense - 3 points assessed to a player’s ongoing season accumulation, $150 fine and a 1 game suspension
Disciplinary Review Guidelines
The The Disciplinary Review Committee will use the following guidelines in determining when it can act after a game has been completed:
1. Where the referee does not see the incident (e.g., an off-the-ball offense) and therefore does not have the opportunity to act:
• Review any video evidence and may act to discipline a player. (Must be a clear and obvious red card that was missed by the referee because they did not see it)
2. Where the referee sees an incident, and issues a red card:
• May review the play for further disciplinary action, over and above the mandatory one game suspension.
• The committee will add suspensions over and above the mandatory one game suspension for those offenses deemed to be of an egregious nature, or where the committee believes it must act to protect player safety or the integrity of the game.
3. When the referee sees an incident, issues a time penalty (anything less than a red card), but does not issue a red card, the following shall apply:
• The committee will act on incidents which warrant a minimum two game suspension.
Reviewable incidents: Review incidents include, but not limited to: violent conduct, contact above the shoulder which is deemed excessive force, embellishment/faking to gain a foul or time penalty, mass confrontation, players leaving the bench to join an altercation.
Parameters:
• The play in question is, in the unanimous opinion of the committee a clear and unequivocal red card;
• The play in question is, in the unanimous opinion of the committee, is an egregious incident and must be acted upon to protect player safety or the integrity of the game.
• The Commissioner maintains the authority to determine whether on-field misconduct has occurred and issue discipline, including fines or suspensions.
Embellishment/Faking:
In the event a player engages in obvious embellishment/faking, this player can be penalized with a penalty point towards accumulation and/or fine. However, if such act has a material impact in the game, the player may then be suspended and fined. Those instances of embellishment/faking which by definition have a material impact on the match are as follows:
i. Opposing player receives a red card
ii. Opposing player receives a time penalty (blue or yellow card) and such time penalty results in a penalty point accumulation.
iii. Opposing Team is awarded a penalty kick or shootout.
A Team may request a review of a Red Card to rectify a case of clear and obvious error of the decision of the Referee.
• Within twenty-four (24) hours of the completion of a match, teams must send written notice detailing the rationale for the appeal and include any video evidence supporting the appeal. The decision must be unanimous. The Disciplinary Review Committee is not re-refereeing the game; it is rectifying clear and obvious errors in the referee’s decisions. Therefore if it is not obvious then it does not need to be rectified. Committee will use the following guidelines in determining when it can act after a game has been completed:
1. Where the referee does not see the incident (e.g., an off-the-ball offense) and therefore does not have the opportunity to act:
• Review any video evidence and may act to discipline a player. (Must be a clear and obvious red card that was missed by the referee because they did not see it)
2. Where the referee sees an incident, and issues a red card:
• May review the play for further disciplinary action, over and above the mandatory one game suspension.
• The committee will add suspensions over and above the mandatory one game suspension for those offenses deemed to be of an egregious nature, or where the committee believes it must act to protect player safety or the integrity of the game.
3. When the referee sees an incident, issues a time penalty (anything less than a red card), but does not issue a red card, the following shall apply:
• The committee will act on incidents which warrant a minimum two game suspension.
Reviewable incidents: Review incidents include, but not limited to: violent conduct, contact above the shoulder which is deemed excessive force, embellishment/faking to gain a foul or time penalty, mass confrontation, players leaving the bench to join an altercation.
Parameters:
• The play in question is, in the unanimous opinion of the committee a clear and unequivocal red card;
• The play in question is, in the unanimous opinion of the committee, is an egregious incident and must be acted upon to protect player safety or the integrity of the game.
• The Commissioner maintains the authority to determine whether on-field misconduct has occurred and issue discipline, including fines or suspensions.
Embellishment/Faking:
In the event a player engages in obvious embellishment/faking, this player can be penalized with a penalty point towards accumulation and/or fine. However, if such act has a material impact in the game, the player may then be suspended and fined. Those instances of embellishment/faking which by definition have a material impact on the match are as follows:
i. Opposing player receives a red card
ii. Opposing player receives a time penalty (blue or yellow card) and such time penalty results in a penalty point accumulation.
iii. Opposing Team is awarded a penalty kick or shootout.
A Team may request a review of a Red Card to rectify a case of clear and obvious error of the decision of the Referee.
• Within twenty-four (24) hours of the completion of a match, teams must send written notice detailing the rationale for the appeal and include any video evidence supporting the appeal. The decision must be unanimous. The Disciplinary Review Committee is not re-refereeing the game; it is rectifying clear and obvious errors in the referee’s decisions. Therefore if it is not obvious then it does not need to be rectified.
Other Disciplinary Actions:
Approaching Game Officials
(Undisclosed fine amount) – No Team owner, coach, staff member, or player shall threaten game officials either verbally or physically nor make physical contact in any manner with a game official. Coaches and team staff shall not approach game officials prior to the game, at the end of a period, on the way to or from the locker room to lobby for a certain call, discuss the approach to the game or to criticize a game official’s performance. The Crew Chief shall report any such incidents to League Management and the offending individual(s) shall be subject to a League fine and/or suspension.
Game Officials Assault or Abuse
(Undisclosed fine amont) – The MASL may impose fines and/or suspensions for abuse or assault toward game officials. The MASL may use referee reports, eye witness’s account and video to make any determination.
Public Comments
(Undisclosed fine amount) – Owners, Team Staff, Coaches, Players and Team contracted online streaming game announcers may not disparage referees or referee decisions in press releases, quotes provided to the Media, on social media, or during stream game broadcasts. Fines will be levied accordingly based on the nature, severity, and context of the comments made. Suspensions at the Commissioner’s discretion.
Serving Suspensions
Players and Coaches serving suspensions are NOT allowed on the team bench during the game. They must watch the game from the stands or the locker room. A suspended coach or player during a game scenario would be permitted contact with his team during warm-ups, up until the start of the game. Once the game starts a suspended coach or player shall have no contact or communication, even at halftime or in the locker room or via phone/text.
MASL 
