Ontario Cup
Competition Rules

Revised March 5, 2002

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1.0Competition Name and Divisions
.		11.0Home Team Responsibilities
2.0Management of the Competition
.		12.0Travel Assistance
3.0Procedures for Entering The Competition
.		13.0Protests
4.0Format for the Competition
.		14.0Rule Contravention Without Protest
5.0Team Eligibility
.		15.0Discipline
6.0Player Eligibility
.		16.0Ontario Cup Tournaments
7.0Scheduling and Rescheduling of Games Played Under "Single-Game Knockout" Format
.		17.0Ontario Summer Games
8.0Team No-Shows and Team Withdrawals
.		18.0Tie Breaking Procedures
9.0Game Officials
.		19.0Ontario Cup Finals
10.0Duration of Play20.0National Club Championships
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New or Revised Ontario Cup Rules for 2002
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1.0.... COMPETITION NAME AND DIVISIONS

1.1 The name of the competition shall be the ONTARIO CUP, hereinafter referred to as the competition.

1.2 The competition shall be divided into the following divisions:
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Under 12 Boys
Under 13 Boys
Under 14 Boys
Under 15 Boys Tier 2
Under 15 Boys Tier 1
Under 16 Boys Tier 2
Under 16 Boys Tier 1
Under 17 Boys Tier 2
Under 17 Boys Tier 1
Under 18 Boys
Under 19 Boys
Men
Under 12 Girls
Under 13 Girls
Under 14 Girls
Under 15 Girls
Under 16 Girls
Under 17 Girls
Under 18 Girls
Under 19 Girls
Women		For teams registered as Under 12 Boys
For teams registered as Under 13 Boys
For teams registered as Under 14 Boys
For teams registered as Under 15 Boys
For teams registered as Under 15 Boys
For teams registered as Under 16 Boys
For teams registered as Under 16 Boys
For teams registered as Under 17 Boys
For teams registered as Under 17 Boys
For teams registered as Under 18 Boys
For teams registered as Under 19 Boys
For teams registered as a Senior team
For teams registered as Under 12 Girls
For teams registered as Under 13 Girls
For teams registered as Under 14 Girls
For teams registered as Under 15 Girls
For teams registered as Under 16 Girls
For teams registered as Under 17 Girls
For teams registered as Under 18 Girls
For teams registered as Under 19 Girls
For teams registered as a Senior team

1.3 In the event that there is not a division for a specific Team Age Classification, the team shall be permitted to enter the division for the next highest Team Age Classification.

1.4 The competition will be played in each of the above divisions providing that there is a minimum of eight entries in the division.

1.5 Subject to age restrictions, a female player may play on a team in any one of the above divisions.

1.6 Subject to age restrictions, a male player may only play on a team in one of the Boys' divisions or the Men's division.

1.7 Requirements for teams entering “tiered divisions” are as follows:
Tier 2 - teams playing in District Leagues

2.0.... MANAGEMENT OF THE COMPETITION

2.1 The Ontario Cup Committee shall be responsible for developing the rules, policies, and procedures governing the competition. The Chair of the Ontario Cup Committee shall be accountable to the Executive Committee for the Competition Rules, Policies, and Procedures.

2.2 The O.S.A. staff shall be responsible for managing and implementing the operational functions of the competition. The staff shall be accountable to the Executive Director for these operational functions.

2.3 Protests shall be managed by the Ontario Cup Protest Committee.

2.4 Discipline shall be managed by the Ontario Cup Discipline Committee.

2.5 The District Ontario Cup Coordinator, hereinafter referred to as the D.O.C.C., shall be responsible for the operations of the competition within his/her District. The D.O.C.C. shall be accountable to his/her District Association. Each District Association shall appoint a D.O.C.C., failing which, entries (to participate in the competition) from that District shall be rejected.

3.0.... PROCEDURES FOR ENTERING THE COMPETITION

3.1 The Club must fully complete the "Ontario Cup 2002 - Entry Form" for each team it enters in the competition.

3.2 Each entry form must be approved by the President or Secretary of the team's Club. Both the President and the Secretary must also serve as Club Contacts for the competition.

3.3 The entry form must be received by the club's District Association by no later than April 2, 2002 and must be accompanied by the entry fee.

3.4 The entry fee is $250.00 and must be in the form of a cheque or money order, payable to The Ontario Soccer Association.

3.5 Teams participating in the Ontario Cup must have two uniforms of different colour at all Ontario Cup games to avoid colour conflicts. These uniform colours will be registered with the O.S.A.

3.6 A “Supplementary Entry Fee” will be charged to each Club which has a team qualify for the Ontario Summer Games. (See Rule 17.0)

4.0.... FORMAT FOR THE COMPETITION

4.1 The competition shall be organized in five regions with a series of open draws. The regional breakdown of the District Associations is:
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REGION A:Durham Region, Hamilton and District, Huronia District, Toronto, Niagara, North York, Peel Halton, Scarborough, South-West Regional, York Region
REGION B:Elgin Middlesex, Essex County, Lambton Kent
REGION C:East Central Ontario, Eastern Ontario and District, Southeast Ontario
REGION D:Sault Amateur, Soccer Northeastern Ontario, Sudbury Regional, Soccer North Ontario
REGION E:Soccer Northwest Ontario

4.2 For each division, the competition shall consist of:

4.3 For each division using the "single-game knockout" format only, a minimum of one team from each Region shall qualify for the Third Round (ie., last 16 teams). Further representation by each Region in the Third Round of each division shall be based on the percentage of total entries from that Region for that division.

4.4 Regional representation will not be a requirement for divisions using the "round-robin tournament" format.

4.5 For each division using the "round-robin tournament" format to qualify eight teams for the Quarter-Final Round, in the event that 41 or more teams enter that division, a Preliminary Tournament Round shall be played at least two weeks prior to the Tournament Round in order to qualify the teams for the Tournament Round.

4.6 For each division using the "round-robin tournament" format, a minimum of 12 teams must enter that division of the competition. If 8-11 teams enter the division, the "single-game knockout" format shall be implemented for that division.

4.7 In a 5-team round-robin tournament, a team travelling in excess of 300 kilometres one way to the tournament shall not be drawn as Team #2 or Team #5 in the tournament group.

5.0.... TEAM ELIGIBILITY

5.1 The competition shall be open to all competitively registered youth and senior amateur teams whose clubs are affiliated with The Ontario Soccer Association, hereinafter referred to as the O.S.A.

5.2 A team may only be entered in the division for which it is registered with the O.S.A. (i.e. team age classification and team gender classification).

5.3 Notwithstanding Rule 5.2, if there is no division provided for a specific age/gender classification, the team will be permitted to enter the division for the next highest age division of the same gender.

5.4 A team playing in a Non-Amateur or Professional Soccer League is not eligible to participate in the Ontario Cup.

5.5 A team which plays in an amateur league at a higher level than any other offered in Ontario, as determined by The Ontario Soccer Association, may not enter the Ontario Cup.

5.6 Each team entered in the competition must have a team head coach who is certified at a minimum Level 3 (technical) or Community Coach Senior by the O.S.A.

5.7 If a team has entered another tournament on the same weekend as an Ontario Cup round for its division, the team shall be denied entry into the competition. (The O.S.A. Published Rules prohibit a team already entered in the Ontario Cup from entering a tournament scheduled for the same weekend as a scheduled round for its division of the Ontario Cup.)

6.0.... PLAYER ELIGIBILITY

6.1 For the competition, eligibility shall be defined as the following:

6.2 An ineligible player shall be defined as one or more of the following:

6.3 Each player and team official shall be identified on the teamsheet, in accordance with the following procedures:

6.4 a) In each game of the competition, a team shall be permitted to dress and play up to 18 players.
6.5 Each player must produce his/her O.S.A. Player Registration Book (P.R.B.) before being eligible to play in a game of this competition, subject to the following:

7.0.... SCHEDULING AND RESCHEDULING OF GAMES PLAYED UNDER "SINGLE-GAME KNOCKOUT" FORMAT

7.1 The home team's D.O.C.C. shall be responsible for scheduling the game:

7.2 If the home team's D.O.C.C. is unable to provide a suitable venue by the required deadline, as stipulated in Rule 7.1, the away team shall become the home team and its D.O.C.C. shall become responsible for providing, within 72 hours, a suitable venue.

7.3 In the event that a scheduled game cannot be played at the scheduled venue because of unplayable field conditions (as determined by the referee or the facility manager), it may be moved to an alternate venue provided that the field conditions of the alternate venue are acceptable to the referee and provided that the game commences within 30 minutes of the originally scheduled kickoff time.

7.4 In the event that a scheduled game cannot be completed on the designated date because of unplayable field conditions, it shall be rescheduled to be played within seven days. The home team's D.O.C.C. shall be responsible for providing, within 72 hours, a suitable venue for the rescheduled game.

7.5 If the home team's D.O.C.C. is unable to provide a suitable venue by the required deadline, as stipulated in Rule 7.4, the away team shall become the home team and its D.O.C.C. shall become responsible for providing, within 72 hours, a suitable venue for the rescheduled game.

7.6 If a team has at least three players competing on the Provincial Team or the National Team on the same day as a scheduled Ontario Cup game, the game shall be rescheduled if:

7.7 For games played under the "single-game knockout" format, the following divisions shall have their games scheduled for:

7.8 Notwithstanding Rule 7.7, when a team travels by air (subject to the approval of the O.S.A.) to a game played under the "single-game knockout" format,:

7.9 Except for the Ontario Summer Games Round, Semi-Final Round, and Cup Final Round, the kickoff time cannot be scheduled:

b) before 11:00 a.m. or after 6:00 p.m. for games played under the “single-game knock-out” format

7.10 Notwithstanding Rule 7.9,:

7.11 Games may be played on an artificial surface only with the agreement of both teams. Such agreement must be made at least eleven days prior to the scheduled game.

7.12 a) A team or its Club shall be informed about the time, date, and location of its game(s) by the D.O.C.C. of its District Association.

8.0.... TEAM NO-SHOWS AND TEAM WITHDRAWALS

8.1 If a team fails to appear at its scheduled Ontario Cup game in the "single-game knockout" format:

8.2 If a team fails to appear at its scheduled Ontario Cup game in the "round-robin tournament" format:

8.3 If a team is unable to fulfil its scheduled Ontario Cup game in the "single-game knockout" format but,

8.4 If a team is unable to fulfil its scheduled Ontario Cup game in the "round-robin tournament" format but,

9.0....GAME OFFICIALS

9.1 A referee and two assistant referees shall be appointed to each Ontario Cup game.

9.2 In the event that one or both of the appointed assistant referees are not present at the game or unable to act,:

9.3 In the event the appointed referee is not present at the game or is unable to act,:

9.4 With the exception of the Ontario Summer Games, Semi-Finals, and Cup Finals,:

9.5 For games in the Ontario Summer Games, Semi-Finals, and Cup Finals,:

9.6 Except as specified in Rules 9.2 b) and 9.3 c), all game officials officiating Ontario Cup games shall be registered Game Officials with the O.S.A.

9.7 The "Game Officials Fees" shall be paid in accordance with the following:

9.8 With the exception of Ontario Summer Games, Semi-Finals and Finals, the Ontario Cup Discipline Summary Form must be completed immediately following the game and a copy given to each team. The white copy should then be attached to completed teamsheets and misconduct reports and submitted to the Event Coordinator at Tournament Rounds or mailed within 24 hours after the conclusion of all other games. At Ontario Summer Games, Semi-Finals and Finals, the Ontario Cup Discipline Summary Form must be completed by the Referee immediately after the game and all three copies submitted to the O.S.A. Representative.

9.9 In Tournament Rounds, Ontario Summer Games, Semi-Final Rounds, and Cup Finals, the teamsheets, and misconduct reports must be completed by the Referee immediately after the game and submitted to the Event Coordinator at the game along with the white copy of the discipline summary form. The Referee shall also be required to attend the discipline hearing of any player dismissed during the game who requests a hearing. Such hearing shall take place within 30 minutes after it is requested and no later than one hour after the game.

9.10 With the exception of 9.8 above, the teamsheets, misconduct reports and the white copy of the discipline summary form must be mailed by the referee to the O.S.A. within 24 hours after the conclusion of the game. Failure to do so shall result in the referee being referred to his/her District Association for discipline. (If a copy of the discipline summary form cannot be given to a team at the game for any reason, that copy should be mailed along with the other reports to the O.S.A.)

9.11 The Game Officials and the District Referee Coordinator shall have other duties which are specified in the Policy Document called: "Ontario Cup Rules For Game Officials".

10.0....DURATION OF PLAY

10.1 For games played under the "single-game knockout" format, the duration of play shall be:


Division
Regulation Time
Sudden Death Overtime
(Until First Goal Scored)
Under-12
Under-13
Under-14
Under-15
Under-16
Under-17
Under-18
Under-19
Men
Women
two periods of 35 minutes
two periods of 40 minutes
two periods of 40 minutes
two periods of 45 minutes
two periods of 45 minutes
two periods of 45 minutes
two periods of 45 minutes
two periods of 45 minutes
two periods of 45 minutes
two periods of 45 minutes
maximum of two periods of 10 minutes
maximum of two periods of 10 minutes
maximum of two periods of 10 minutes
maximum of two periods of 15 minutes
maximum of two periods of 15 minutes
maximum of two periods of 15 minutes
maximum of two periods of 15 minutes
maximum of two periods of 15 minutes
maximum of two periods of 15 minutes
maximum of two periods of 15 minutes


10.2 For games played in the Ontario Summer Games, the duration of play shall be:


Division
Regulation Time
Sudden Death Overtime
(Until First Goal Scored)
Under-15 (Summer Games Round-Robin)
Under-15 (Summer Games Final Day)
two periods of 45 minutes
two periods of 45 minutes
No Overtime
maximum of two periods of 15 minutes


10.3 Except for games applicable to Rule 10.2, for games played under the "round-robin tournament" format, the duration of play shall be:


Division
Regulation Time
Overtime
Under-12
Under-13
Under-14
Under-15
Under-16
Under-17
Under-18
Under-19
two periods of 30 minutes
two periods of 30 minutes
two periods of 35 minutes
two periods of 35 minutes
two periods of 40 minutes
two periods of 40 minutes
two periods of 40 minutes
two periods of 40 minutes
No Overtime
No Overtime
No Overtime
No Overtime
No Overtime
No Overtime
No Overtime
No Overtime

10.4 Notwithstanding Rule 10.3:
Division
3 Games In A Day
Overtime
Under-12
Under-13
Under-14
Under-15
Under-16
Under-17
Under-18
Under-19
two periods of 25 minutes
two periods of 25 minutes
two periods of 25 minutes
two periods of 30 minutes
two periods of 30 minutes
two periods of 30 minutes
two periods of 30 minutes
two periods of 30 minutes
No Overtime
No Overtime
No Overtime
No Overtime
No Overtime
No Overtime
No Overtime
No Overtime

Division
4 Games In A Day
Overtime
Under-12
Under-13
Under-14
Under-15
Under-16
Under-17
Under-18
Under-19
two periods of 20 minutes
two periods of 20 minutes
two periods of 20 minutes
two periods of 25 minutes
two periods of 25 minutes
two periods of 25 minutes
two periods of 25 minutes
two periods of 25 minutes
No Overtime
No Overtime
No Overtime
No Overtime
No Overtime
No Overtime
No Overtime
No Overtime

10.5 The referee shall be the sole judge of the amount of time played and his/her decision on this matter shall NOT be subject to appeal or protest. Allowance shall be made in either period for all time lost through substitution, the transport from the field of injured players, time-wasting or other cause, the amount of which shall be a matter for the discretion of the referee.

10.6 In accordance with Rule 10.1 and 10.2, if the game is tied at the end of Regulation Time, the winner of the game shall be determined by the first team to score a goal in overtime. Should the score be tied at the end of the overtime periods (as stipulated in Rule 10.1 and 10.2), a winner shall be determined by "the taking of penalty kicks from the penalty mark", in accordance with the current edition of the F.I.F.A. Laws Of The Game.

10.7 In games played under the "round-robin tournament" format at the Ontario Summer Games and at the Ontario Cup Tournaments, the "drawing of lots" may be necessary as part of the tie-breaking procedure to determine the Group Winner, in accordance with Rule 18.0. In this event, the Game Officials from the last tournament game would officiate this procedure. Such a procedure should commence within 20 minutes after the last game.

10.8 In the event that a game cannot be played for the full duration of time, the game shall be considered complete if at least 75% of the game has been completed. This rule will not apply if the game does not run its full duration because the referee has abandoned the game as a result of the actions of one or both teams; and in such a case, the Ontario Cup Discipline Committee shall determine the status of the game. As the sole judge of the amount of time played, the referee shall report how much time had lapsed before the game was terminated.

11.0....HOME TEAM RESPONSIBILITIES

11.1 The Home Team shall be designated on the draw chart and shall be responsible for the following at all games, except for the games in the tournament round, Semi-Finals, and Cup Finals:

11.2 The Visiting Team must wear its registered main colours and if the colours of the two teams are similar (as judged by the referee), the Home Team must wear alternate colours. The Visiting Team is only permitted to wear alternate colours to its main colours, providing that such colours are not similar to the colours worn by the Home Team. Only jersey colours will be considered a conflict and therefore, the team would only be required to change its jerseys. (NOTE: The main colours and alternate colours of each team have been registered with the O.S.A.)

11.3 Except for games in the Tournament Round, Ontario Summer Games, Semi-Final Round, or the Cup Final Round, the Home Team may charge an admission to its Ontario Cup game. Ten percent of the gross gate receipts shall be payable to the Home Team's District Association; and the Home Team may retain the balance of the gate receipts.

12.0....TRAVEL ASSISTANCE

12.1 Each Club whose team is required to travel more than 200 kilometres one way to play in an Ontario Cup game in one of the following rounds:

12.2 The amount of the grant shall be based on the following rates:

12.3 For games involving teams from Sault Ste. Marie Rule 12.2 shall NOT be in effect and the following special grants shall be in effect:

13.0....PROTESTS

13.1 With the exception of games played at the Ontario Summer Games, each protest arising from a game in the competition shall be sent in accordance with the following policies and procedures:
(Please note that the O.S.A. is not responsible for protest sent by fax or e-mail that are not received by 12:00 p.m. on the Tuesday) i registered mail or registered courier service,
i hand delivery,
i fax to (905) 264-9445 or
i e-mail to ontariocup@soccer.on.ca T to the O.S.A. Provincial Office accompanying the protest, a protest fee in the amount of $200.00 c) in cases of disputed delivery date regarding protests submitted by hand delivery, fax or e-mail, it is the responsibility of the protesting Club to prove which date the protest was received at the O.S.A. Provincial Office.

13.2 If the terms of Rule 13.1 are not met, the protest shall be declared to be out of order.

13.3 The protesting club must provide evidence to substantiate the protest.

13.4 Upon receiving the initial notification of the protest (in accordance with Rule 13.1 a)), the O.S.A. staff shall notify the D.O.C.C. (or an alternate person in that District Association) of the opposing team's club about the nature of the protest. The D.O.C.C. (or the alternate person) shall advise the opposing team's club about the nature of the protest.

13.5 Upon receiving the written protest, (in accordance with Rule 13.1 b)), the O.S.A. staff shall provide the opposing team’s club with a copy of the Protest.

13.6 Protests shall be dealt with by the Ontario Cup Protest Committee.

13.7 Officials from both clubs/teams and both D.O.C.C.'s have the right to send written submissions to the O.S.A. Provincial Office regarding the protest. Such submissions shall be considered, providing they arrive prior to the meeting of the Ontario Cup Protest Committee.

13.8 The Ontario Cup Protest Committee, in reviewing the protest, shall consider all written submissions including:

13.9 Notwithstanding Rule 13.8, at its discretion, the Ontario Cup Protest Committee may convene a protest hearing at which officials from both clubs/teams, the game officials, or other persons may be required to attend.

13.10 In the event a team is found to be in contravention of the competition rules as a result of a protest, the Ontario Cup Protest Committee has the authority to:

13.11 Protests will not be entertained if the issue is, according to the laws of the game, at the discretion of the referee (i.e. field conditions)

14.0....RULE CONTRAVENTION WITHOUT PROTEST

14.1 Notwithstanding Rule 13.0, the Ontario Cup Protest Committee may:

15.0....DISCIPLINE

15.1 Jurisdiction

15.1.1 The Ontario Cup Discipline Committee shall be responsible for handling all cases of game-related misconduct, except for:
15.1.2 At games played in the Tournament Rounds, the immediate discipline of players shall be handled by a Discipline Hearing/Review Panel which is appointed by the District Association in which the tournament is being played. After the tournament is completed, any misconduct by a player shall be referred to the Ontario Cup Discipline Committee for further review and, if required, additional disciplinary action against the player.

15.1.3 In cases of "game official assault", the player, team official, or administrator alleged to have committed "game official assault" shall be immediately suspended from all soccer activities and the discipline shall be handled by an O.S.A. Discipline Hearing Panel, in accordance with the O.S.A. Published Rules.

15.2 Discipline Systems

15.2.1 For the following offenses, the discipline shall be rendered in accordance with the Discipline by Review (D.B.R.) System, players who are reported for:

15.2.2 For all other offenses, the discipline shall be rendered in accordance with the Discipline By Hearing (D.B.H.) System.

15.2.3 It is the responsibility of each Club to ensure that its players and team officials are aware of the Ontario Cup discipline rules, the Discipline By Review (D.B.R.) System, specifically Rules 15.3.2, 15.4.2, 15.5.2, 15.5.5, and 15.6.7 and the Discipline By Hearing (D.B.H.) System.

15.3 Discipline For Games Played in the Tournament Rounds:

15.3.1 The Ontario Cup Tournament Discipline Hearing/Review Panel appointed by the District Association shall review all cases of player misconduct reported by a game official, except for:

15.3.2 A player has the right to request a Discipline Hearing to be convened at the tournament. Such request, and subsequent hearing, must adhere to the following procedures:
15.3.3 The following mandatory suspensions shall be rendered at games played in the Tournament Rounds:

ÿ three cautions (within the Ontario Cup Competition)1 game suspension
ÿ dismissed for receiving a second caution in the same game (neither offence was directed at the game official(s))1 game suspension
ÿ dismissed for receiving a second caution in the same game (either offence was directed at the game official(s)) 2 game suspension
ÿ dismissed for offensive, insulting or abusive language (not directed at game official)1 game suspension
ÿ dismissed for offensive, insulting or abusive language (directed at game official) 3 game suspension
ÿ dismissed for denying an opponent a goal or an obvious goal-scoring opportunity by deliberately handling the ball1 game suspension
ÿ dismissed for denying an opponent a goal or an obvious goal-scoring opportunity to an opponent moving towards the player’s goal by an offence punishable by a free kick or penalty kick 2 game suspension
ÿ dismissed for serious foul play (not including offences where there was an intent to injure an opponent)2 game suspension
ÿ dismissed for spitting at an opponent or any other person 4 game suspension
ÿ dismissed for violent conduct (not including offences where there was an intent to injure an opponent)3 game suspension


15.3.4 In a case of mistaken identity, the accused person must prove to the Discipline Hearing Panel at a Discipline Hearing that he/she was incorrectly identified and must identify and prove the correct identity of the player who actually committed the reported misconduct; and in such case the player will not be suspended but the player who actually committed the reported misconduct shall be disciplined, in accordance with Rule 15.3.3.

15.3.5 Any case of "game official assault" shall be referred to the O.S.A. for handling by the appropriate O.S.A. Discipline Hearing Panel.

15.3.6 The following types of misconduct shall be referred to the O.S.A. for handling by the Ontario Cup Discipline Committee:
15.3.7 Within one day after the conclusion of the tournament, the Tournament Host Organization shall mail the following items to the O.S.A. Provincial Office:

15.3.8 The O.S.A. shall review all cases of reported misconduct and shall render discipline in accordance with the mandatory suspensions, as specified in Rule 15.5.3 and taking into consideration the number of games suspended at the tournament, as reported by the Tournament Host Organization, in accordance with Rule 15.3.7.

15.3.9 In the event that (based on the reports which it reviews) the Ontario Cup Discipline Committee decides that additional misconduct has occurred or that a Serious Foul Play or Violent Conduct misconduct warrants more than the mandatory suspension, it must advise the person (either directly or through his/her Club) that additional charges are being laid and that a Discipline Hearing is being scheduled, in accordance with Rule 15.5.5.

15.3.10 Cautions shall be recorded in the O.S.A.’s Soccer Discipline System (SDS) database. The accumulation of cautions shall only apply to the Ontario Cup competition.

15.4 Discipline For Games Played in the Ontario Summer Games, Semi-Finals and Cup Finals:

15.4.1 The Discipline Hearing/Review Panel appointed by the Ontario Cup Discipline Committee to render discipline at the Ontario Summer Games, Semi-Finals or Cup Finals, shall review all cases of reported misconduct occurring in these rounds, except for:

15.4.2 Any case of misconduct which falls under the Discipline By Hearing (D.B.H) System shall be referred to the Ontario Cup Discipline Committee for a Discipline Hearing.

15.4.3 Any case of "game official assault" shall be referred to the O.S.A. for handling by the appropriate O.S.A. Discipline Hearing Panel.

15.4.4 A player has the right to request a Discipline Hearing to be convened at the Ontario Summer Games, Semi-Final or Cup Final Rounds. Such request, and subsequent hearing, must adhere to the following procedures:

15.4.5 In the Ontario Summer Games, Semi-Final and Cup Final Rounds, the mandatory suspensions, as per Rule 15.5.3 shall be implemented.

15.4.6 In a case of mistaken identity, the accused person must prove to the Discipline Hearing Panel at a Discipline Hearing that he/she was incorrectly identified and must identify and prove the correct identity of the player who actually committed the reported misconduct; and in such case the player will not be suspended but the player who actually committed the reported misconduct shall be disciplined, in accordance with Rules 15.4.3 and 15.4.4.

15.4.7 Cautions shall be recorded in the O.S.A.’s Soccer Discipline System (SDS) database. The accumulation of cautions shall only apply to the Ontario Cup competition.

15.5 All Games Played In The Ontario Cup

15.5.1 The O.S.A. shall review all cases of reported misconduct occurring in the Ontario Cup, except for: game official assault and shall render discipline:
15.5.2 A player or team official has the right to request a Discipline Hearing. Such request, and subsequent hearing, must adhere to the following procedures:
T e-mail to ontariocup@soccer.on.ca
15.5.3 The following mandatory suspensions shall be rendered for misconduct occurring in Ontario Cup games:
.
ÿ three cautions (within the Ontario Cup Competition)1 game suspension
ÿ dismissed for receiving a second caution in the same game (neither offence directed at game official)
‚ first seasonal offence
‚ second seasonal offence

1 game suspension
3 game suspension
ÿ dismissed for receiving a second caution in the same game (either offence directed at game official)
‚ first seasonal offence
‚ second seasonal offence
‚ third seasonal offence
.
.
2 game suspension
4 game suspension
8 game suspension
ÿ dismissed for offensive, insulting or abusive language (not directed at game official)
‚ first seasonal offence
‚ second season offence
.
.
1 game suspension
3 game suspension
ÿ dismissed for offensive, insulting or abusive language (directed at game official)
‚ first seasonal offence
‚ second seasonal offence
‚ third seasonal offence
.
3 game suspension
8 game suspension
3 month suspension
ÿ dismissed for denying an opponent a goal or an obvious goal-scoring opportunity by deliberately handling the ball
‚ first seasonal offence
‚ second seasonal offence
.
.
1 game suspension
2 game suspension
ÿ dismissed for denying an opponent a goal or an obvious goal-scoring opportunity to an opponent moving towards the player’s goal by an offence punishable by a free kick or penalty kick
‚ first seasonal offence
‚ second seasonal offence
.
.
.
2 game suspension
4 game suspension
ÿ dismissed for serious foul play (all other types of serious foul play)
‚ first seasonal offence
.
‚ second seasonal offence
.
2 game minimum suspension
8 game maximum suspension
4 game minimum suspension
12 game maximum suspension
ÿ dismissed for spitting at an opponent or any other person
‚ first seasonal offence
‚ second seasonal offence
.
4 game suspension
8 game suspension
ÿ dismissed for violent conduct
‚ first seasonal offence
.
‚ second seasonal offence
.
3 game minimum suspension
10 game maximum suspension
6 game minimum suspension
15 game maximum suspension
ÿ persisting in misconduct "after receiving a warning 'for misconduct' from the game official" (neither offence was directed at game official)
‚ first seasonal offence
‚ second seasonal offence
.
.
.7 day suspension
21 day suspension
ÿ persisting in misconduct "after receiving a warning 'for misconduct' from the game official" (at least one offence was directed at game official)
‚ first seasonal offence
‚ second seasonal offence
.
.
.14 day suspension
35 day suspension
ÿ using offensive, insulting or abusive language (not directed at game official)
‚ first seasonal offence.
‚ second seasonal offence
.
.14 day suspension
35 day suspension
ÿ using offensive, insulting or abusive language (directed at game official)
‚ first seasonal offence

‚ second seasonal offence
.
21 day minimum suspension
35 day maximum suspension
42 day minimum suspension
70 day maximum suspension


15.5.4 When a player has been suspended by an Ontario Cup Tournament Discipline Hearing/Review Panel (from games played in an Ontario Cup Tournament), the Ontario Cup Discipline Hearing/Review Panel, in implementing Rule 15.5.3, shall include the suspended games served in the tournament as part of the mandatory suspension for the offence.

15.5.5 In the event that (based on the reports which it reviews) the Ontario Cup Discipline Hearing/Review Panel decides that additional misconduct has occurred or the misconduct warrants more than the mandatory suspension, it must advise the person (either directly or through his/her Club) that additional charges are being laid and that a Discipline Hearing, is being scheduled, in accordance with the following policies and procedures.

15.5.6 In a case of mistaken identity, the accused person must prove to the Discipline Hearing Panel at a Discipline Hearing that he/she was incorrectly identified and must identify and prove the correct identity of the player who actually committed the reported misconduct; and in such case the player will not be suspended but the player who actually committed the reported misconduct shall be disciplined, in accordance with Rules 15.5.3 and 15.5.4.

15.5.7 Any case of "game official assault" shall be referred to the O.S.A. for handling by the appropriate O.S.A. Discipline Hearing Panel.

15.5.8 Any case of misconduct which falls under the Discipline By Hearing (D.B.H) System shall be referred to the Ontario Cup Discipline Committee for a Discipline Hearing.

15.5.9 Cautions shall be recorded in the O.S.A.’s Soccer Discipline System (SDS) database. The accumulation of cautions shall only apply to the Ontario Cup competition.


15.6 Suspensions Levied by the Ontario Cup Discipline Hearing/Review Panel

15.6.1 On misconduct being proved to its satisfaction, the Ontario Cup Discipline Committee shall have the power to order the offender:

15.6.2 In the case of "suspensions for a stated period of time",:

15.6.3 In the case of "suspensions for a specific number of games",

15.6.4 If the player/team official's team plays in a Provincial League, Regional League, or Multi-Jurisdictional District League, the O.S.A. shall enter the data in the Soccer Discipline System database by no later than the Monday preceding the suspension. The team’s League and District Association are required to check the Soccer Discipline System database for suspensions levied against their players or team officials.
15.6.5 If the player/team official's team plays in a District League, the league's District Association shall advise it about the suspension period or suspended games levied to the player or team official by no later than the Tuesday preceding the suspension period. The District Association shall then enter the suspension information into the Soccer Discipline System database.

15.6.6 By no later than the Monday preceding any suspensions, a listing of all suspensions (resulting from misconduct in the Ontario Cup) shall be entered in the Soccer Discipline System database by the O.S.A. This information shall be available to all District Associations, Provincial Leagues, Regional Leagues, and Multi-Jurisdictional District Leagues by checking the Soccer Discipline System database. Clubs may obtain this information by checking the Soccer Discipline System (SDS) through the O.S.A. Intranet or from their District Association or League.

15.6.7 Any suspended games transferred to a League shall be indicated in SDS by the O.S.A. For Provincial Leagues, Regional Leagues, and Multi-Jurisdictional District Leagues, the league shall indicate game numbers for the suspended games transferred to it. For District Leagues, the District Association shall indicate the game numbers for suspended games transferred to it.

15.6.8 Failure to request a Discipline Hearing, in accordance with Rules 15.3.2, 15.4.4, or 15.5.2, shall mean that any suspension levied under the Discipline By Review (D.B.R.) System may NOT be appealed to the O.S.A. or any other organization.

15.7 Fines

15.7.1 In the event a team, including team officials, contravenes the competition rules as contained herein, the Ontario Cup Committee and/or the Ontario Cup Discipline Hearing/Review Panel, has the authority to levy fine(s) against the offending team, up to a maximum of $1,000.00 per game.

15.8 Penalties

15.8.1 The Ontario Cup Committee has established Penalties for specific actions and these Penalties are identified in these Competition Rules.

15.8.2 The O.S.A. Staff shall levy the appropriate Penalty against a Club in accordance with these Competition Rules.

15.9 Forfeiture of Game

15.9.1 In cases of severe team misconduct, the Ontario Cup Discipline Hearing Panel has the authority to reverse a game result of a team.

16.0....ONTARIO CUP TOURNAMENTS

16.1 For the following divisions, the competition will begin with the "round-robin tournament" format and then, the tournament group winners will play under the "single-game knockout" format.

16.2 The locations and dates of the tournaments shall be finalized after the Cup Draw on April 20, 2002:

In the event that any of the groups are unable to play at the designated location, the O.S.A. may assign the group to another tournament host organization and play the games at another location.

16.3 Based on the total number of team entries in a division, a tournament group will be comprised of one of the following:
16.4 The number of games to be played on a Saturday and Sunday are as follows:

Teams in Group
Saturday Games
Sunday Games
3 teams
2
2
4 teams
2
1
5 teams
2
2

16.5 Notwithstanding Rule 16.4, in the event that the referee or the facility manager declares that the field conditions are unplayable and there is no alternate field on which to play the games, the Tournament Host Organization may re-schedule the unplayed games to be played on the Sunday, in accordance with the following policies:

16.6 Scheduling Games Played Under The "Round-Robin Tournament" Format

16.6.1 The schedule shall be a generic schedule prepared by the O.S.A. prior to the Ontario Cup Draw. The schedule shall identify the order of games for teams designated as Team #1, Team #2, Team #3, Team #4, and Team #5 (if necessary) in each Tournament Group.

16.6.2 At the Ontario Cup Draw, the following shall be determined (by a draw) for each team:

16.6.3 The Tournament Host Organization for each Group shall schedule the times and field locations for the games, providing that:

16.6.4 Notwithstanding Rule 16.6.3 Ú,:

16.6.5 The Tournament Host Organization shall send to the O.S.A. Provincial Office, by no later than May 11, 2001, the following:

16.6.6 The O.S.A. shall forward the schedule, map, and all other Ontario Cup competition information to the participating teams by no later than June 8, 2001.

16.6.7 Field Conditions are Unplayable

16.7 If a team does not appear at any one of its scheduled games at a Tournament or, if a Club withdraws its team from the Ontario Cup prior to its participation in a Tournament Round, the team's Club shall be fined, in accordance with Rules 8.2 or 8.4.

16.8 If a team has at least three players competing on the Provincial Team or the National Team on the same day as a scheduled Ontario Cup game, the game shall be rescheduled if:

16.9 The duration of play at games in the Tournament Round shall be in accordance with Rules 10.3, or 10.4, depending on the conditions which apply.

16.10 The Tournament Host Organization shall be responsible for the following:

16.11 Travel assistance to attend a tournament shall be in accordance with Rule 12.0.

16.12 Protests of games played in a tournament shall be dealt with by the Ontario Cup Protest Committee, in accordance with Rule 13.0.

16.13 Discipline

16.14 Prior to the commencement of the tournament, each team shall pay, to the Tournament Host Organization, 50% of the game officials fees IN CASH for all of the games to be played during the tournament.

16.15 Late For Game Rule

16.15.1 A grace period of fifteen minutes will be given to each team that is late for the scheduled kickoff time of its game.

16.15.2 If a team is more than fifteen minutes late for any game in the tournament, it will be disqualified from the tournament.

16.15.3 In the event that a team is disqualified from the tournament, all games involving that team shall be declared null and void.

16.15.4 In the event that a team is late for a game and that game is forfeited, that team may be subject to further disciplinary action.

16.16 The verification of Player Eligibility is the responsibility of the representative of the opposing team, in accordance with Rules 6.5 a), 6.5 c), 6.5 d), and 6.5 e).

16.17 In the event that two or more teams are tied for first place in a Tournament Group, the higher standing shall be determined in accordance with Rule 18.0.

17.0....ONTARIO SUMMER GAMES The Ontario Summer Games is a multi-sport competition which is held every other year, and therefore, the following rules only apply in a Summer Games year. The next Ontario Summer Games will be held in 2002 in Kitchener/Waterloo.

17.1 Responsibilities of Team and Club Entered in Summer Games Divisions of Ontario Cup

17.1.1 Each team entered in the Ontario Cup's Summer Games Divisions shall, if it qualifies for the Ontario Summer Games:

17.1.2 Where participation is required in any of the above conditions, it shall mean a minimum of 75% of all team members (ie., players and team officials).

17.1.3 For failure to comply with Rules 17.1.1 and/or 17.1.2 the team's Club shall be fined $500.00 for each incidence of violating the rule.

17.2 Competition Format

17.2.1 Upon completion of the Tournament Round, the eight remaining teams in the Summer Games Divisions shall qualify to play in the Ontario Summer Games. In the event that one of the qualifying teams elects "not to participate in the Ontario Summer Games", that team shall be disciplined in accordance with Rule 8.4, and the Runner-Up Team in the Qualifying Tournament shall be eligible to replace it. If the Runner-Up Team elects not to participate as a replacement team in the Ontario Summer Games, the O.S.A., at its discretion, may select another team to participate in the Games.

17.2.2 For each division, the teams will be divided into two groups of four teams each, in accordance with the Ontario Cup Draw.

17.2.3 Each group will play a "round-robin tournament" format (ie., each team will play each other team in the group once).

17.2.4 At the end of the "round-robin tournament", the group standings shall be based on:

17.2.5 The winner of each group will advance to the Gold Medal Game.

17.2.6 The second-place team in each group will advance to the Bronze Medal Game.

17.2.7 Each game shall consist of two periods of 45 minutes each.

17.2.8 There shall be no overtime in the "round-robin tournament" games.

17.2.9 a) In the Gold Medal Game and the Bronze Medal Game, in the event that the score is tied after regulation time, the winner of the game shall be determined by the first team to score a goal during a maximum of two overtime periods of 15 minutes each.

17.3 The schedule of games for the Ontario Summer Games shall be the responsibility of the O.S.A. In the event that some or all games are not played, the unplayed games shall be rescheduled by the O.S.A.

17.4 The Game Officials for the Ontario Summer Games shall be appointed by the O.S.A. Director of Referee Development or his/her designated appointee.

17.5 The Game Officials Fees' shall be paid for by the O.S.A., in accordance with Rules 9.7 a) and 9.7 b).

17.6 Discipline shall be handled by the appointed Ontario Cup Discipline Hearing/Review Panel, in accordance with Rules 15.1, 15.2, 15.4, 15.5.3, 15.6, and 15.7.

17.7 Protests shall be handled by the representatives of the Ontario Cup Protest Committee, in accordance with Rule 17.11.

17.8 In accordance with Rule 6.5 b), thirty minutes before each game, the O.S.A. Representative(s) shall inspect the Player Registration Books (P.R.B.'s) of the players on both teams. In such cases, the O.S.A. Representative(s) may declare a player ineligible to play in that game.

17.9 The Ontario Summer Games Organizing Committee shall be responsible for the following:

17.10 Representatives of the Ontario Cup Committee shall be present at the Ontario Summer Games and shall be responsible for:

17.11 Protests

18.0....TIE BREAKING PROCEDURES

18.1 For games played under the "round-robin tournament" format at the Ontario Summer Games and in Tournament Rounds, the Tournament Group winners, the Tournament Group Runners-Up, and the other placings in the standings shall be determined by the following formula:

18.2 In the event that two or more teams are still tied after applying criteria a), b), and c) of Rule 18.1, the "drawing of lots" shall be handled as follows:


18.3 Rule 18.2 shall be implemented within 20 minutes following the final game of the Tournament Round for that Tournament Group or the final game of the Ontario Summer Games Group.

The game officials of the final game shall conduct the "drawing of lots".

18.4 Each team involved in the “drawing of lots” has the right, at its discretion, to have a team representative present when the draw is made. The draw shall still be conducted in accordance with Rule 18.3 even if a team representative for each team is not present. 19.0....ONTARIO CUP FINALS

19.1 In the event that a player/team official is dismissed in the cup final or is suspended from the cup final, that player/team official may or may NOT receive his/her medal during the Trophy/Medal Presentations after the game at the discretion of the Ontario Cup Committee. If the player/team official is not permitted to participate in the Trophy/Medal Presentations he/she shall receive his/her medal at a later time.

19.2 Both finalists teams in an Ontario Cup Final shall participate in the Trophy/Medal Presentations which are held after the game.

19.3 If a team does not participate in the Trophy/Medal Presentations, without a valid reason, it shall be severely disciplined, in accordance with Rules 15.7 and 15.8.

20.0....NATIONAL CLUB CHAMPIONSHIPS

20.1 The National Club Championships shall be played at the following locations:

20.2 The Ontario Cup Winners in each of the divisions identified in Rule 20.1 shall participate in the National Club Championships.

20.3 In the event that an Ontario Cup Winner in one of the following divisions:

20.4 To be eligible to participate in the National Club Championships, the team must have competed in a league during the current season.

20.5 A player who has been registered as a professional player or a non-amateur player and who has been reinstated, but subsequently re-registers as a professional player or a non-amateur player, shall not be eligible to play in the National Club Championships.

20.6 Each player shall be either a:

20.7 Each player shall be:



20.8 Any team travelling to a National Competition is responsible for 45% per person of the cost of return airline tickets and 100% of hotel accommodation and meals.

20.9 The Ontario Soccer Association will make all necessary arrangements. Teams should be prepared to travel at least one day ahead of the dates on which games are to be played. Increases in fares, service charges or other expenses incurred as a result of a request for change in time, date or duration of travel must be paid by those requesting the changes, otherwise no changes will be permitted.

NEW OR REVISED ONTARIO CUP RULES IN 2002
Rule 13.1 a)
Rule 13.11
Rule 14.1
Rule 16.15.4
Rule 18.0
Rule 20.4