Fair. Consistent. Accountable.
The Canadian Academy Soccer League (CASL) is committed to maintaining a safe, respectful, and competitive environment for all players, coaches, match officials, clubs, and spectators.
The CASL Discipline & Appeals Policy establishes a fair and consistent process for addressing misconduct, rule violations, disciplinary decisions, protests, and appeals arising from CASL competition.
1. Scope of Discipline
CASL may review and take disciplinary action regarding conduct connected with CASL competitions, including:
- Player and team official misconduct
- Red cards and serious match incidents
- Abuse or harassment of match officials
- Fighting, threatening, or discriminatory conduct
- Spectator or parent misconduct
- Use of ineligible players
- Serious or repeated violations of CASL rules
- Conduct that threatens participant safety or the integrity of CASL competition
2. Player & Team Official Discipline
Players, coaches, managers, and other team officials are responsible for maintaining appropriate conduct before, during, and after CASL matches.
Depending on the nature and severity of an incident, disciplinary action may include warnings, match suspensions, probation, restrictions from CASL activities, or other sanctions permitted under CASL regulations.
3. Red Cards & Match Reports
A player or team official who receives a red card or is reported for serious misconduct may be subject to disciplinary review.
The referee’s match report and any other relevant information available to CASL may be considered when determining whether additional disciplinary action is required.
4. Referee Abuse
CASL has a zero-tolerance approach to abuse, intimidation, threats, or harassment directed toward match officials.
Players, coaches, club officials, parents, and spectators are expected to respect the authority and safety of referees.
Serious incidents may result in suspensions or restrictions from CASL competitions and venues.
5. Spectator Conduct
Participating clubs are responsible for promoting appropriate behaviour among their spectators.
CASL may require a club to address repeated or serious spectator misconduct.
Where necessary, CASL may impose conditions on attendance or take other reasonable measures to protect participants and maintain an appropriate match environment.
6. Reporting an Incident
Serious incidents should be reported to CASL as soon as reasonably possible.
Reports should include relevant information such as the match, teams involved, date, individuals involved, description of the incident, and any available supporting information.
CASL may request additional information before making a determination.
7. Disciplinary Review
CASL may review reports submitted by referees, clubs, team officials, or other relevant parties.
Depending on the circumstances, CASL may:
- Make a decision based on the available documentation;
- Request additional information;
- Conduct a disciplinary hearing; or
- Refer the matter for further review.
Individuals affected by serious disciplinary proceedings will be provided an appropriate opportunity to respond.
8. Protests
A protest concerns the application of CASL competition rules or an alleged irregularity affecting a match.
Disagreement with a referee’s judgment decision alone does not automatically constitute grounds for a protest.
Protests must follow CASL’s published submission requirements and deadlines.
9. Appeals
Certain disciplinary or administrative decisions may be eligible for appeal.
An appeal must identify legitimate grounds for reconsidering the original decision and must be submitted within the required timeframe.
An appeal is not automatically a complete rehearing of the original matter.
CASL may establish an appeal fee to discourage frivolous appeals. Where appropriate, that fee may be refunded if an appeal is successful.
10. Interim Measures
When CASL reasonably believes an incident presents an immediate safety, integrity, or serious misconduct concern, temporary restrictions may be imposed while the matter is reviewed.
Interim measures are precautionary and do not, by themselves, represent a final finding.
11. Club Responsibility
Clubs participating in CASL are responsible for cooperating with disciplinary processes and ensuring that CASL sanctions involving their players, coaches, team officials, or spectators are respected.
Failure to comply with a disciplinary decision may result in additional action against the individual, team, or club.
12. Fairness & Confidentiality
CASL will seek to administer disciplinary matters fairly, consistently, and without unreasonable delay.
Personal or sensitive information related to disciplinary proceedings will not normally be made public except where disclosure is necessary or appropriate for league administration, participant safety, enforcement, or legal requirements.
13. Final Authority
CASL retains authority to interpret and administer this policy in accordance with its Rules & Regulations.
Disciplinary decisions will be communicated to the affected parties and will take effect as specified in the decision.
All participants in CASL competition are expected to uphold the standards of respect, safety, sportsmanship, and integrity that define the Canadian Academy Soccer League.