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Sikhumbuzo Moyo Senior Sports Reporter
THE Premier Soccer League will from this season impose sanctions on players and club officials who take to the social or mainstream media to make comments that imply bias, question the integrity or any comments which bring the name of the league and its sponsors into disrepute.
In the schedule of revised fines released last night, the league has also drastically reduced fines by more than 75 percent with crowd hooliganism or pitch invasion set to attract a penalty of at least $2,000, down from $8,000.
There was a huge outcry from clubs last season when the league levied the astronomical figure that however did little to send the message to fans hence the stance by the league that more resources should be channelled towards educating supporters.
“The board noted that most clubs are struggling financially and further burdening them with such huge fines was not helping their cause. Clubs are therefore urged to invest in supporters’ education and the league is more than prepared to assist in that regard,” said the Premier Soccer League chief executive officer Kennedy Ndebele.
He said the league would, however, take no prisoners on offences that clubs have control over like using undesignated entry points or having unbranded playing kits.
However, it is the imposition of sanctions on the abuse of the social media by players and officials which has been on the rampage since the dawn of the social sites, that will be of interest.
Says Offence number 13;
“If a player or official makes comments in the media or social media in which they imply bias, question the integrity or any comments which brings the name of the league and its sponsors into disrepute, a fine of $1,250 will be imposed on the player or official’s club. No action will be taken if the club has sanctioned the said player or official within fourteen (14) days of committing the said offence.”
Players worldwide have faced heavy fines from their football associations for posting disturbing messages on social sites while also openly criticising match officials with impunity.
“Surely we cannot have players or officials saying whatever they want on social networks,” said Ndebele.
In a bid to instill professionalism during matches, clubs will now be fined $250 “for abuse of ball boys (this is not limited to influencing the boys to engage in time wasting and disrupting normal match proceedings).”
Some club marshals have been seen openly instructing the ball boys to delay picking up the ball when their teams have taken seemingly comfortable leads or are under immense attack so as to cool down the tempo of the game.
Table of fine:
1. Offence: Using a kit without player names or improperly printed on the back of the shirt.
Action to be taken: The player or players will be allowed to play but a fine of $25 per player shall be imposed.
2. Offence: Using a playing kit with the name of a player or sponsors logo not properly secured as per standard PSL Kit Regulations
Action to be taken: The player or players will be allowed to play but a fine of $25 per player is imposed.
3. Offence: Failure to fulfil a Castle Lager Premier Soccer League fixture without a valid reason.
Action to be taken: Three points are awarded to the opposing team on a 3-0 score line. A fine of $1,250 shall be imposed.
4. Offence: Use of unregistered or improperly registered player in a Castle Lager Premier Soccer League match.
Action to be taken: Three points are awarded to the opposing team on a 3-0 score line. A fine of $1,250 shall be imposed.
5. Offence: (i) Arriving at the match venue fifteen minutes late of official kick off time.
(ii) Delaying match kick-off.
Action to be taken: Offending club is fined $250
6. Offence: Failure or refusal by a team to use designated dressing rooms.
Action to be taken: Offending club to be fined $750
7. Offence: Failure by a team to enter the stadium and or field of play through a designated entry point.
Action to be taken: Offending club to be fined $750
8. Offence: Causing the abandonment of a Castle Lager League match.
Action to be taken: Refer to Disciplinary Committee who shall impose a fine of not less than $2,000
9. Offence: Failure by a club to exercise control over its fans before, during and after the match leading to chaos or violence.
Action to be taken: Refer case to Disciplinary Committee and/or a fine of not less than $2,000 imposed on the club who commit the offence.
10. Offence: Failure to properly account for gate takings during a match.
Action to be taken: Fine of 10percent of gross gate takings or $500 is imposed whichever is higher
11. Offence: Use of abusive language and any unsportsmanship conduct by a club official during and after the match.
Action to be taken: Fines of $250 imposed on the offending person and / or refer case to Disciplinary Committee.
12. Offence: Failure or refusal to conduct pre-match or post-match interviews by the head coach, captain or player.
Action to be taken: A fine of $125 will be imposed on the offending head coach, captain or player the club will be fined $500
13. Offence: If a player or official makes comments in the media or social media in which they imply bias, question the integrity or any comments which brings the name of the League and its sponsors into disrepute.
Action to be taken: A fine of $1,250 will be imposed on the player or official’s club. No action will be taken if the club has sanctioned the said player or official within fourteen (14) days of committing the said offence..
14. Offence: A coach, manager or member of the technical team expelled from the technical area before or during a match.
Action to be taken: A fine of $125 is imposed
15. Offence: Failure to provide adequate security at match venue by the home team.
Action to be taken: A fine of $1,250 is imposed
16. Offence: Failure to provide secure and properly cleaned dressing room facilities for players and officials
Action to be taken: A fine of $375 imposed on the home team
17. Offence: Any individual, official or club representative or club sponsor that moves/tampers with/ obstructs designated official stadium advertising material.
This also includes but is not limited to the provision of any extra touchline branding material that has not been approved by the relevant authorities.
Action to be taken: A fine of $750 imposed on the home team
18. Offence: A club that fails to provide requested documents, material or details by the set deadline date and time (this information includes but is not limited to official team line-ups and formation, club registration details, sample club regalia, flags or any other relevant material as requested by the PSL)
Action to be taken: A fine of $250 imposed
19. Offence: A club that accumulates five or more cautions and/or expulsions in a single match.
Action to be taken: A fine of $125 imposed
Any other offence that is not particularly listed here but contravenes the rules and regulations of the Premier Soccer League shall be dealt with accordingly by the Premier Soccer League disciplinary committee.
20. Offence: A club that abuses ball boys (this is not limited to influencing the boys to engage in time wasting and disrupting normal match proceedings).
Action to be taken: The club will be fined $250
* Repeat offenders shall be referred to the Premier Soccer League Disciplinary Committee.
* All fines are due and payable within 30 days from the date of invoice.
The sanctions will be imposed immediately after the League has received reports from match commissioners and/or referees.
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