Minnesota Senior Soccer league (MSSL) Rules and Regulations

Team Fees will be set annually by the MSSL Board of Directors

1.1. Failure to pay team fees by the established deadline will result in immediate removal from the schedule. Any game not played will be considered a forfeit in
the standings.

1.2. A fine will be assessed if dues are not received by the MSSL on the deadline in the amount of $xxx.

1.3. Failure to pay team fees by the deadline set by the MSSL Board of Directors may result in the team being removed from the schedule due to non-payment.

  1. The MSSL Board of Directors may assess the members to make up any deficits in the cost of operation of the league that are not covered by team and player registration fees
  1. Fees, payment amounts, and payment deadlines will be set annually by the MSSL Board of Directors, and will be posted on the league website, and distributed by e-mail to the last known contact information for managers of teams in the league for the prior season. The Board of Directors will provide no less than 60 days’ advance notice, in this fashion, of the initial payment amount and due date for team fees for the upcoming season.
  2. Every year, each team asking to join or remain in the league for the upcoming season shall deposit $100 with the MSSL in connection with its request to join or remain in the league. This deposit must be paid by a deadline set by the MSSL Board of Directors, prior to the MSSL’s deadline to secure the required number of fields for the upcoming season. The Board of Directors will post notice of the deadline for this deposit on the league website and e-mail notice to the last known contact information for managers of teams in the league the prior season. The deposit is independent of but will be credited toward the initial payment referred to in Section 3.1. The deposit is refundable if the team notifies the MSSL Board of Directors at least 30 days prior to the first game of the upcoming season that it will not participate in the season.
  3. Each team will need to pay a fee, per player that has signed a waiver, determined at the beginning of each season.
  1. A Schedule of Fines will be set by the MSSL Executive Committee.
  2. Schedule of Fines:
    a) Late Team Fees: Fines are implemented for late payments as referenced
    b) Cards Fouls: Fines of $100 per team per 10 points (3 points for Red Card and 1 point for a Yellow Card. If a player gets a straight red card, their team will be assessed a $50 fine and the player will have at minimum a one game suspension.
    c) Rescheduling Fines will be all costs associated with the rescheduling of that game.
    d) Any fine must be paid to the MSSL Treasurer before the player is eligible to return to play.
  3. Team Forfeits: If forfeiture occurs more than 24 hours before the game is set to start a fine of $100 will be assessed. If forfeiture occurs less than 24 hours before the game is set to start fines will be issued for price of the fields and cost of the referees. Fee to be determined by current field and referee costs or expenses before the start of each season.
  4. Payment of a fine must occur within ten (10) days of the date on which the fine was officially levied by the MSSL Board of Directors or as otherwise stated in each Section. Notification of the levying of a fine may occur either in email, via text or phone call by the Commissioner or Deputy Commissioner with a copy to the Commissioner and Treasurer to the team manager on record with the MSSL. An additional penalty of $25.00 per week may be added for late payments.
  5. Team’s and player’s future games are subject to forfeiture if fines not paid after being delinquent for over 3 weeks.
  1. All payments to the MSSL shall be made by check or money order or equivalent electronic means with an accompanying memo noting the purpose of the payment.
  2. If a payment is made by check, and that check is returned for having “insufficient funds,” the payment will not be considered to have been made. Future payment must then also include the cost of processing the returned check.
  1. The MSSL Board of Directors shall consider, revise, and approve the budget for the following year.
  1. A player playing in a Minnesota Senior Soccer League (MSSL) game must be registered with the MSSL through the MSSL website or other official means.
  2. Each player must register each year and may only be registered with one primary team in the MSSL.
    1. A player who is eligible by age may be affiliated with a second team in a different age group (Legends, Masters, or Grandmasters) and may play games between those teams, provided the player is properly rostered for a particular game and is otherwise in compliance with all MSSL Rules and Regulations.
    2. A player may change primary registration and/or club affiliation once per season, but must sit out two games in each age group/division where a change occurs upon re-registering or re-affiliating, before the player may play for the new team, club, and/or affiliate. Notification to both managers must be provided by the MSSL.
    3. Players may appeal the two-game sit-out period with the Board of Directors, where the appeal will be considered and either approved or denied based on the circumstances and standing of the player and teams involved.
  3. Each team in the MSSL must submit a Team Roster, printed from the MSSL website for that week (including the date(s)), to the center referee.
    1. The roster must be legible and have one number for each player listed.
    2. The roster must list each player’s first and last name.
    3. Age verification documents include a driver’s license or any other government-issued photo ID. Expired government-issued IDs are acceptable.
    4. A player whose name on the roster does not match the name on their age verification document will be considered ineligible to play. The only exception is that nicknames are acceptable if they are commonly used (e.g., Rick for Richard or Bill for William).
    5. If there is a dispute about player eligibility (for example, a player should be eligible but is not on the roster) and both managers agree that the player may play, the player may write their name on the roster in front of the referee.
      1. If it is later determined that the player was in fact ineligible, the team that the player played for will forfeit the game, and the player will be suspended for three weeks.
  4. The Team Roster (provided by each team manager) will be checked by the referee by comparing each player’s government-issued photo ID against the roster and the player presenting the ID.
    1. A single copy of the team roster must be provided to the referees before each game.
    2. No player’s name may be handwritten; all player names must be pre-printed on the roster.
  5. A player’s age may be challenged at any time by a team manager but must be challenged during the game in which the player is participating.
  6. If a player’s eligibility is challenged, the player must provide age verification documentation to the referee at the field. If proof is not provided, the player may not play, and the Team Manager must submit the proof to the Board of Directors after the game. If such proof cannot be provided within 48 hours, the game will be forfeited and forfeiture fines will be assessed to the challenged player’s team.
  1. The MSSL Board of Directors will be responsible for reviewing and approving the separate Age Groups within the MSSL each year.
  2. Each Age Group shall be comprised of certain age limits:
    1. Legends: 40 years or older but not younger. Eligibility for this division requires turning 40 years or older within the same calendar year that the season takes place.
    2. Masters: 50 years or older but not younger. Eligibility for this division requires turning 50 years or older within the same calendar year that the season takes place.
    3. Grandmasters: 60 years or older but not younger. Eligibility for this division requires turning 60 years or older within the same calendar year that the season takes place.
  3. Any changes to age requirements for any Age Group must be put to a vote by the MSSL Board of Directors and all members.
  4. Each Age Group may be split into multiple Divisions if the following criteria are met:
    1. Each Division consists of six or more teams.
      1. In circumstances where there may be fewer than six teams in a division, there must be a vote by the Board of Directors to accept the division setup.
    2. If two divisions are created, at least one division must consist of an even number of teams.
      1. In circumstances where there may be no divisions with an even number of teams, there must be a vote by the Board of Directors to accept the division setup.
    3. If three divisions are created, at least two divisions must consist of an even number of teams.
      1. In circumstances where there may not be two divisions with an even number of teams, there must be a vote by the Board of Directors to accept the division setup.
  5. In the event that there is more than one division, promotion and relegation of at least one team and up to a maximum of three teams shall be implemented. This will be determined by the Board of Directors before the first game of the season.
    1. Appeals to avoid promotion or relegation may be submitted to the Board of Directors by emailing the Commissioner and Deputy Commissioner within three months of the end of the season.
    2. The appeal must include the reasons and circumstances under which the team believes that promotion or relegation is not justified.
  6. Each team is guaranteed 15 games. Any games fewer than this number shall be reimbursed to teams for each game below 15.
    1. The MSSL Treasurer will be responsible for calculating the per-game fees before the first game of each season.
  1. MSSL will maintain separate standings for each division (Legends, Masters, and Grandmasters divisions).
  2. Standings will be determined as follows:
    1. Win = 3 points
    2. Tie = 1 point
    3. Loss = 0 points
  3. If, at the end of the regular season, two or more teams are tied on points, the following criteria will be used to determine relative standings:
    1. Season goal difference
    2. Season goals for
    3. Most points collected in head-to-head competition
    4. Coin flip
  4. When an official game is declared a forfeit, the score will be recorded as a 3–0 loss to the team that forfeited. However, the result on the pitch will be upheld if the goal difference at the end of the match was three goals or greater, to ensure the non-forfeiting team is not unfairly disadvantaged in any potential tiebreakers involving goal difference and/or goals scored.
  5. To promote sportsmanship between teams, the MSSL enforces a seven-goal differentiation limit. The Commissioner or Division Representative will manually adjust the score of any game with a goal spread greater than seven to reflect only a seven-goal spread. This adjusted score will be used in determining standings.
  1. Play-off Eligibility:
    1. Maximum Participation: Up to 8 teams may qualify for the playoffs to compete for first place.
    2. Minimum Participation: At least 2 teams will compete for first place, with an additional 2 teams playing for third place.
    3. Qualification Criteria: Teams qualify for the playoffs based on their standings at the end of the regular season.
  2. Play-off Structure:
    1. Single-Elimination Format: The playoffs will follow a single-elimination (knockout) format.
    2. Seeding:
      1. Teams will be seeded according to their regular-season rankings.
      2. Higher-seeded teams may receive home-field advantage or byes, depending on the number of qualifying teams.
    3. Play-off Rounds:
      1. Quarterfinals (if applicable):
        1. For divisions with 7–8 qualifying teams.
        2. Matchups: 1 vs. 8, 2 vs. 7, 3 vs. 6, 4 vs. 5.
      2. Semifinals:
        1. Winners from the quarterfinals advance.
        2. For divisions with 4–6 qualifying teams, playoffs begin at this stage.
      3. Finals:
        1. Semifinal winners compete for first place.
        2. Semifinal losers compete for third place (if scheduling permits).
      4. Championship Match:
        1. Determines the division champion.
    4. Adjustments Based on Team Count:
      1. 2 Teams Qualifying:
        1. Direct championship match between the top two teams.
        2. Optionally, teams ranked 3rd and 4th may play for third place.
      2. 3–4 Teams Qualifying:
        1. Semifinals leading to finals.
      3. 5–6 Teams Qualifying:
        1. Top two seeds may receive byes to the semifinals.
  3. Tiebreakers in Play-off Matches:
    1. Regulation Tie: If a playoff match ends in a tie after regular time:
      1. Penalty Shootout: If still tied after extra time, a penalty shootout will determine the winner, starting with 5 shots per team and then sudden death.
      2. Scheduling Constraints: If time does not permit 5 shots per team, shots will be reduced to 3 shots per team and then sudden death.
  4. Final Standings Determination:
    1. Championship Outcome: Winner of the final match is declared the division champion.
    2. Third Place Match: Determines the third-place team if played.
    3. Ranking of Eliminated Teams:
      1. Teams eliminated in the same playoff round will be ranked based on their regular-season standings.
  5. Annual Flexibility:
    1. These rules may be adjusted each year to accommodate changes in league size, the number of teams, and divisional structures.
    2. The league reserves the right to modify playoff formats to ensure fair and competitive play.
  6. Communication of Play-off Details:
    1. Specific playoff structures, including match schedules and seeding details, will be communicated to teams after the conclusion of the regular season.
  1. Game assignments of referees will be delegated by the MSSL Board of Directors to a Referee Assignor Agent.
  2. Referees assigned to MSSL games must have current USSF certification.
    1. Exceptions may be made if certified referees are not available and both team managers agree to use non-certified referees.
  3. The MSSL Board of Directors expects the Referee Assignor Agent to enforce MSSL referee standards.
  4. The Referee Assignor Agent is required to complete a game report in a timely manner (within 48 hours) and submit it to the MSSL. If an online reporting mechanism is available, the referee must use this method to notify the MSSL of game results. The game report must include details of all cautions (yellow cards issued), ejections (red cards issued, including whether the red card was a straight red or the result of two yellow cards, and the circumstances surrounding the red card), and any player injuries.
  5. Each team must pay the center referee one-half of the total referee fees on the field at half-time of the game. If a team fails to pay its one-half of the referee fee before the end of half-time, the following sanctions shall apply:
    1. The team shall forfeit the game, and the game will not restart for the second half.
    2. The team must pay the full amount due to the referees for that game, including paying the referees directly or reimbursing the opposing team for the other half of the referee fee.
  1. No MSSL team, or individual player rostered with an MSSL team, may play against another team that has been suspended by the MSSL or by an organization affiliated with the USSF and/or FIFA.
  2. An individual player who is suspended and affiliated with the USSF and/or FIFA may not play on any team in the MSSL.
  3. Whenever a team is suspended, its membership in the MSSL is revoked, or it is otherwise barred from participating in any MSSL game, that sanction shall also apply individually to each player rostered on the team at the time the sanction is imposed. A player on a suspended team may not play for a different MSSL team for the duration of the sanction, or permanently in the case of expulsion from the MSSL.
  4. Any individual player barred from playing in an MSSL game under Section 12.3 may petition the Board of Directors no fewer than 48 hours before a scheduled MSSL game to request a waiver to play in that and/or future games. The player must demonstrate that they were personally innocent of, and not associated with, the conduct that led to the sanction (for example, by showing they were not present at a game where the team was involved in a disciplinary incident). Waivers under this section shall be granted solely at the discretion of the Board of Directors.
  1. All games sponsored by the MSSL will be conducted in accordance with the most current version of the USSF and/or FIFA Laws of the Game, unless superseded by rules explicitly defined as MSSL rules.
  2. Every team is responsible to the MSSL for the conduct of its players, team officials, and spectators, and must take all necessary precautions to prevent threats or assaults against any persons or referees.
  3. Each team must have both a home and an away set of jerseys.
  4. For each match, the home team shall:
    1. Provide a regulation size number 5 ball.
    2. Provide corner flags that are clearly visible from the opposite ends of the field (suggested size: 18″ x 12″), mounted on poles at least 5 feet high. Poles must be made of smooth, consistent, flexible material with no sharp points. Bicycle safety flags are considered acceptable.
    3. Wear its home jerseys.
  5. For each match, the away team shall wear its away jerseys. In the event of a color conflict or similar colors, the visiting team is required to change.
  6. The Team Manager is responsible for providing the MSSL Team Roster, printed from the official MSSL website for that specific game, to the match officials.
  7. Each player must present identification to the referee before the game and when challenged. If a player fails to present valid identification when challenged, the player is prohibited from participating in that game. All challenges must be made before the end of the game.
  8. If a team does not line up with at least seven (7) players within 15 minutes after the scheduled start time, the game may not start and may be declared a forfeit for that team. If both teams fail to line up, the game may be declared a forfeit for both teams.
  9. In accordance with FIFA Laws of the Game, if a game is not started due to insufficient player numbers and referees are being paid full game fees, referees are expected to officiate a friendly match if one begins within 15 minutes of the forfeit time. For example, if the scheduled start time is 6:30 p.m. and a team forfeits at 6:45 p.m., referees may leave the field if no friendly match has begun by 7:00 p.m. This does not apply if the forfeiture is due to field conditions. Referees are not required to officiate a friendly match and may decline due to USSF insurance considerations.
  10. Referees must be on the field at least 15 minutes prior to the scheduled start time of the game.
  11. If no official arrives at the field within 10 minutes after the scheduled start time, team managers must immediately contact the MSSL Deputy Commissioner, who will contact the Referee Assignor. If no contact can be made, the game must be rescheduled, or the home team must notify the MSSL Division Representative immediately. If both teams agree to play and count the game as official, the Division Representative may assign referees from another divisional game.
  12. Referees will use the three-person diagonal system of control. If only two referees are present, FIFA Laws of the Game permit only one referee on the field at a time. The referee may recruit additional linemen if desired.
  13. The referee will enforce all MSSL and FIFA rules and decide all disputed points. The referee’s decisions on points of fact connected with play are final with respect to the result of the game.
  14. The referee must record the names and jersey numbers of all ejected players, the reason for the ejection, and whether a yellow or red card was issued, on the official referee report submitted to the MSSL.
  15. Referees must also record the name and jersey number of any injured player brought to the sideline, along with a description of the incident that led to the injury.
  16. Unlimited substitutions are permitted and may be made from the center line at any time during play, regardless of stoppages. Slide tackles are not allowed within reach of another player. A slide intended to keep the ball in play is permitted unless it causes another player to take evasive action or creates a risk of injury.
  17. Players not currently participating in the match must remain within the technical area.
  18. A game stopped by the referee after at least one full half of play will be declared official. The score at the time of stoppage will stand unless the game is later declared a forfeit by the league.
  19. A game stopped by the referee before the completion of one full half must be replayed unless the game is declared a forfeit by the league or both teams agree to count the game as official.
  20. Within 48 hours of a game, referees must report game results, including scores and incident reports such as cautions, ejections, unsafe field conditions, injuries, and forfeits.
  21. Responsibility for rescheduling postponed games rests with the MSSL Board of Directors. If teams cannot agree on a new date, the MSSL Commissioner will set one. A forfeit must be declared if one or both teams fail to appear on the scheduled date.
  22. The Commissioner must be notified of any game changes, reschedules, or cancellations at least 72 hours before the scheduled start time. Any rescheduling within 72 hours will result in a rescheduling fine.
  23. If a game is canceled within 72 hours of its scheduled start time for any reason, it will be considered a forfeit by the team initiating the cancellation.
  1. All players on a team must wear shirts of the same color, except for goalkeepers, who must wear colors that clearly contrast with both their own team and the opposing team.
  2. Each player, except for goalkeepers, must wear a shirt with a number on the back. Each team member must have a unique number.
  3. If the referee determines that the shirt colors of competing teams are too similar to allow play, the visiting team must change uniforms. If the issue cannot be resolved, the game will not be played and may be declared a forfeit by the visiting team.
  1. The MSSL has the authority to take disciplinary action for violations of the Laws of the Game and the rules and regulations of the MSSL, USSF, and FIFA.
  2. The MSSL has the authority to:
    1. Levy fines, suspensions, and revocations of membership, affiliation, and/or registration.
    2. Order the forfeiture, replay, and/or cancellation of games.
    3. Exception: An amateur player may not be individually fined for conduct as a player. Any fines resulting from an individual player’s actions will be the responsibility of the team.
  3. The MSSL Board of Directors will review allegations of violations or misconduct by teams or individuals and take appropriate disciplinary action.
  4. A representative of the Board of Directors will provide a written report of all disciplinary decisions to the parties directly concerned.
  5. Cases involving referee assault or abuse must be immediately referred to the Minnesota Soccer Association, which has original jurisdiction over such cases. Any suspension imposed will be indefinite until a ruling is issued by the Minnesota Soccer Association.
  6. Any person under the jurisdiction of the MSSL who physically assaults a referee will be automatically suspended for one year from the date of the incident. The Board of Directors may extend the suspension period if circumstances warrant.
  7. When a player is sent off with a red card, the player will automatically be suspended for a minimum of one game. Depending on the severity of the offense, the suspension may be extended to a maximum of three games. The Commissioner may further extend the suspension beyond three games if circumstances warrant.
    1. Violent conduct
    2. Hate speech or racist comments
    3. Previous suspensions
    4. Referee abuse
  8. A yellow card counts as one (1) disciplinary point, and a red card counts as three (3) disciplinary points. Two yellow cards resulting in a send-off will count as three points. A player who accumulates five (5) total points will be suspended for one game. For every additional five (5) points accumulated thereafter, the player will be suspended for one additional game. These suspensions are in addition to any suspension imposed for offenses described above. The Board of Directors may extend suspension periods as circumstances warrant.
  9. A player who receives two straight red cards in a single season will be suspended for the remainder of the season.
  10. The MSSL has the authority to direct the Referee Coordinator to exclude certain referees from assignment to MSSL games.
  11. The MSSL Board of Directors may assert original jurisdiction over any disciplinary matter within the MSSL, except where jurisdiction is specifically assigned to the Minnesota Soccer Association, USSF, or FIFA under their respective rules and regulations.
  1. Any team may file a protest with its Division Representative if it believes that a match, or any part of a match, was not played in accordance with MSSL rules. The team must inform the referee before leaving the field that it believes a rule has been violated, notify the MSSL Division Representative of its intent to file a protest, and submit a written protest to the Division Representative within 48 hours of the protested game. The Division Representative will investigate as necessary and submit a written report to the Board of Directors within 48 hours of receiving the protest.
  2. The Board of Directors will review the report and issue a decision within 48 hours of receipt. Any decision regarding disciplinary action will be made within the same time frame.
  3. Upon consideration of a protest, the Board of Directors has the authority to deny the protest, order a forfeiture, replay, or cancellation of a game, and impose any disciplinary actions deemed necessary.
  4. The MSSL Board of Directors will provide a written report outlining its considerations and decisions to the parties involved.
  1. Appeals from the decision of the Board of Directors may be made to the Minnesota Soccer Association (MSA) in accordance with the rules of the MSA
  1. A hearing for terminating membership must be convened by the Commissioner of the MSSL or by majority of the Board of Directors. It may be held in conjunction with a Board of Directors meeting.
  2. The Board of Directors will decide whether membership should be terminated.
  3. The Board of Directors will provide the member with a written report of its decision.
  4. If the member wishes to appeal the decision of the Board of Directors, it may be done through the appeal procedure described in ARTICLE 17.
  1. No player, member, or Director of this league shall have standing to commence litigation in any court against this league, or the Minnesota Soccer Association (MSA), or the USSF, unless such a person first has exhausted all administrative procedures for the relief to be sought by such litigation in accordance with the Rules and Regulations of this league, of the MSA, and of the USSF.
  1. A waiver shall be provided to each MSSL player upon registration and each player shall be required to read and accept the terms of the waiver in the process of registering to play. Additionally, this waiver shall be distributed by each member, along with the rest of the Rules & Regulations, to each of the member’s players. Completing the waiver on registration and participating in a MSSL game each separately and independently acknowledge receipt and acceptance of this waiver and its terms.

SEE MSA WAIVER