Player Code of Conduct

Player Expectations

1. Learn and respect the rules of football, team guidelines, and all SIAFL regulations, and comply with them at all times.
2. Show respect and courtesy to match officials and coaches, and promptly follow their instructions and directions.
3. Respect the decisions of match officials and refrain from questioning, addressing, or commenting on their rulings during or after the game.
4. Maintain emotional self-control and avoid retaliation of any kind. Do not use abusive, offensive, or profane language; refrain from taunting, humiliating remarks, gestures, or physical violence toward other players under any circumstances—even if you believe you have been wronged.
5. Respect opposing coaches and players, and demonstrate good sportsmanship at the end of every match. Be humble and gracious in victory, and dignified and respectful in defeat. Remember that football is a game—treat opponents as competitors, not enemies.
6. Contribute to the success of the team and always give your best effort.

Prohibited Infractions

• Attempting to injure a match or team official.
• Striking or using physical force against a match official.
• Conduct that is detrimental to the league or game.
• Repeated unsportsmanlike behavior.
• Use of obscene, profane, or abusive language.
• Making obscene gestures.
• Continuing misconduct after receiving a penalty for the same or similar behavior.
• Attempting to injure an opponent.
• Deliberately injuring an opponent.
• Intentional or grossly irresponsible acts that cause damage to public or private property used in connection with any SIAFL match.
• Use of illegal drugs.
• Gross insubordination or disrespect toward league, association, or opposing team officials and coaches.
• Attempting to harm any person.

Any violation of the above infractions by players, coaches, or members will result in immediate suspension from SIAFL competitions. The length of the suspension will be determined by the Executive Committee on a case-by-case basis.

Red & Yellow Card Rules

Red and yellow cards are issued in accordance with the official FIFA Laws of the Game.

• A direct red card, or two yellow cards in one match, will result in an automatic one-match suspension.
• Accumulating three yellow cards will result in an automatic one-match suspension.
• The yellow card count will reset to zero once a suspension has been served.

SIAFL Match Rules

• Matches last 90 minutes, consisting of two 45-minute halves.
• Injury time is determined at the sole discretion of the match official.
• Goalkeeper distribution and area rules follow standard 11-a-side football rules.
• Throw-ins and corner kicks follow normal 11-a-side rules.
• The back-pass rule is enforced: a free kick will be awarded to the attacking team 5 yards outside the penalty area.
• All free kicks are direct. Defending players must maintain a minimum distance of 10 yards from the ball.
• Penalty kicks are taken 10 yards from the goal line.
• There are NO OFFSIDE rules in SIAFL matches.
• Rolling substitutions are permitted. The ball must be out of play, and the referee must acknowledge the substitution before it occurs.
• Yellow cards will be issued for foul or abusive language directed at the referee or opponents. A player who receives three yellow cards in a season will serve a one-match ban in the immediately following game.
• Excessive verbal abuse will result in a direct red card.
• A dismissal (via direct red card or two yellow cards) incurs a 200 CNY league fine and a one-match ban effective for the next game. All yellow cards are reset to zero following a ban.
• Any fighting will be subject to severe punishment by the Executive Committee, likely including a ban and/or fine.
• Physical assault on a match official will result in a minimum 10-match suspension; the ban may be extended based on the severity of the incident.
• All other rules follow the official FIFA Laws of Association Football.