Discipline & Appeals
The Discipline Committee will meet on Monday OR Wednesday evenings as needed. Any additional dates required will be posted in advance.
Coaches, parents, players – be sure you are familiar with the discipline process prior to the season.
Discipline at a glance
The Discipline Panel will meet on published dates at the Club office. Discipline matters are reviewed or heard as appropriate on the first scheduled date following the incident. Please contact the Club Discipline Chair by e-mail, should you require further information regarding any discipline matter in which you may be involved. Every player, coach, and administrator should ensure they are familiar with the penalties for offences and the procedure for administering the discipline process.
How does Whitby FC handle misconduct?
Our Club follows Ontario Soccer’s policies with regard to discipline. These policies govern Discipline Hearing Panels at every level of soccer sanctioned by Ontario Soccer. Discipline issues are handled by a discipline panel appointed by the Club Discipline Chair. The committee does not necessarily consist of the same people for each matter being reviewed.
An accused is to continue their soccer activities until notification is received from the Discipline Panel stating otherwise.
Discipline by Review (DBR) and Discipline by Hearing (DBH)
There are two systems used to deal with discipline matters at Whitby FC. Guidelines are set out by Ontario Soccer and followed in determining if a case is to be handled by DBH or DBR. Discipline hearings (DBH) or reviews (DBR) are conducted on a regular basis, as required, with dates posted on the web site. When Hearing Dates are not posted on the website, persons required to attend a DBH are advised in writing in advance of the hearing date.
Discipline by Review (DBR)
Certain types of misconduct are routinely handled using the Discipline By Review system. Under DBR, the Discipline Committee reviews the information provided (e.g. Referee’s Report) and imposes the appropriate and mandated penalty. If, after reviewing the case, the Discipline Review Panel determines that a more serious charge is warranted, the matter will be referred to Discipline By Hearing.
Under the DBR system, the parties involved are not required to attend. An individual who is subject to the DBR system has the right to a hearing. A request for a hearing together with the fee ($50) must be received at the Club office in writing by receipted post, receipted e-mail, fax, or receipted hand delivery within three days of receiving the dismissal. The request must be received before the date of the next scheduled DBR meeting, as indicated on the website.
There are no appeals of DBR decisions.
Discipline by Hearing (DBH)
Some discipline matters must be conducted under the Discipline By Hearing (DBH) method. A DBH requires the attendance of the parties involved. The involved parties are provided with at least 15 days’ notice. The accused may choose to be accompanied by another adult who may act as an adviser. An accused less than 18 years of age must be accompanied by an adult, who shall act as an adviser, failing which the hearing will not proceed and the accused shall be suspended until the hearing is held.
If the accused does not appear, the hearing will not proceed, the accused will be fined in accordance with the “Schedule of Fees, Fines, Bonds and Penalties” as published by Ontario Soccer and available on the Club website, and the accused will be suspended from all soccer related activities until he/she requests and attends a hearing.
Any party required to attend a hearing may request one (1) postponement of a hearing. The party must submit such request to the Club office in writing by receipted post, receipted e-mail, fax, or receipted hand delivery no later than four days prior to the date of the hearing, stating the reason for requesting the postponement.
Discipline hearings or reviews are also held for matters of misconduct involving persons other than players, such as coaching staff, parents, spectators or any other person reported for misconduct.
DBH decisions can be appealed to the next highest level.
Penalties
Ontario Soccer guidelines are followed in determining what punishment, if any, is to be applied. Any issues being handled by the club, as dictated by Ontario Soccer guidelines, require the club to impose penalties that are no less severe than those specified by Ontario Soccer. If the discipline committee concludes that such action is appropriate, the club has the option to impose penalties that are more severe than the minimums specified by Ontario Soccer.
Immediate suspension from all soccer related activities results from the following offences:
- Game Official assault
- Physical or attempted physical assault of a youth player by a team official or administrator (reported by the Game Official)
- Offences of Moral Turpitude
Probation or suspended sentences are not permitted.
Notification of penalty
Decisions of the Discipline Review Panel for all matters will be communicated in writing by e-mail, hand-delivery or Canada Post delivery and are effective immediately. Conveners and coaches may be notified by telephone.
Ontario Soccer suspension terms
As our Club is governed by Ontario Soccer, it is imperative that any suspension term imposed by the Whitby FC Discipline Panel must comply with Ontario Soccer Mandatory Minimum length of suspension. While the Club may determine that a longer term is appropriate, the Panel has no jurisdiction to reduce the term to less than that set out in Ontario Soccer Policies.