NY Metro ISOA News

Welcome Back, Kambiz Riazi NISOA National Assessor

Kami Riazi

The NY Metro ISOA is pleased to welcome NISOA National Assessor, Kambiz Riazi back to our chapter.

Kambiz has made himself available for local NISOA National Referees and National Referee Candidates to assist with their assessment renewal requirements. Welcome back, Kambiz.

Ejected Player, Coach or Bench Personnel

During Saturday’s Rules Interpretation meeting, there was a discussion about management of ejected players, coaches and bench personnel. NCAA Soccer Rule 5.6.4 states:

An ejected player, coach or other bench personnel shall leave the premises of the field of play to the point that the individual, in the referee’s opinion, shall not be a disruptive influence on the further progress of the game. This means out of sight and sound of the field of play.

I recommend the following procedure:

• During the pre-game field inspection, the referee crew should discuss how they will manage ejections so it will conform to Rule 5.6.4 and ensure the ejected player or bench personnel are properly supervised while they are away from the premises of the field of play.
• During the pre-game meeting with the home team institutional representative, discuss the desired ejection procedure and ask for assistance to implement the procedure. Assistance should include, but not be limited to, having a staff member available to escort and supervise the ejected player or bench personnel. Ask the home team institutional representative to coordinate with both coaches to ensure adequate ejected player or bench personnel supervision.

Ejections are a highly emotional and often match critical event. The officiating crew must be prepared before the ejection to properly manage the situation.

NCAA Soccer Rules; Leaving the Field for Religious Reasons

The NCAA Soccer Secretary Rules Editor, Ken Andres has ruled on the issue of a player requesting to leave the field for religious reasons as follows:

As the Soccer Secretary Rules Editor, I am issuing a ruling that a player is permitted to leave the field of play for religious reasons and may re-enter the game when beckoned by the referee. If the player is not substituted for, the team shall play short. However, if the player is substituted for, the re-entry provisions of R. 3.5 apply.

I suggest that you provide the involved institution with a copy of this ruling for future reference.

Lastly, I recommend the involved institution advise the referee crew and the opposing team of this issue and my ruling prior to the start of any game.

Kenneth G. Andres, Jr.
NCAA Soccer Secretary Rules Editor

In summary, if the player is a field player, leaves the field in the first half (or overtime periods) for religious reasons and is substituted for, that player may not re-enter in that period.