Unity Cup Code of Conduct

1. Proper conduct by all players and coaches is mandatory before, during and after all games.

2. Any suspended player or coach may not attend the games in which they are suspended.

3. Teams are responsible for the conduct of their fans. Incidents involving a specific teams’ fan will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis by the Central PA Unity Cup Conduct Committee and could result in game suspension for the fan and in extreme cases may penalize the team.

   • At the referee’s discretion he/she may suspend and/or forfeit a match in the case of unruly fan behavior.

4. Any player receiving a red card or any coach who has been removed from a game by the referee will be given a minimum one (1) game suspension, which cannot be appealed. The ejected person will not be permitted within two hundred (200) yards of the playing field in all directions. Failure to comply will result in further disciplinary action. Second offenses or conduct of a more serious nature will be reviewed by the Central PA Unity Cup Conduct Committee.

• • The field monitor and game official will send a detailed report to the tournament director to be reviewed to see if further action is necessary

1. Suspensions for misconduct towards game officials

• • Any assault on a game official will carry a five (5) year suspension from all Central PA Unity Cup activities

  • Deliberately striking or kicking or attempting to kick, throwing a soccer ball at, or spitting on a referee or assistant referee will carry a suspension for the rest of the tournament plus suspension from the subsequent year’s tournament.

  • Gesturing or signaling obscenely at a referee or assistant referee will carry a one (1) game suspension

  • Abusive language towards a referee or assistant referee will carry a one (1) game suspension

  • Dissent, whether physical or verbal, expressing of differing opinion will carry a one (1) game suspension

  • The above suspensions are to be considered minimum. The Unity Cup reserves the right to increase the suspension based on the severity of the violation. Situations not listed will be reviewed by the Unity Cup Conduct Committee.

1. Suspensions for misconduct towards an opponent, colleague or spectator

• • Fighting (engaging in combat with an opponent, colleague or spectators by means of mutual exchange of blows delivered by hand, head, foot or other portions of the body) will carry a suspension through the rest of the tournament plus suspension from the subsequent year’s tournament

  • Deliberately attempting to strike or kick an opponent, colleague or spectator will carry a two (2) game suspension

  • The verbal threat of bodily harm or to property, gesturing or signaling obscenely, the throwing of objects at an opponent, colleague or spectator will carry a two (2) game suspension

  • The above suspensions are to be considered minimum. The Unity Cup reserves the right to increase the suspension based on the severity of the violation. Situations not listed will be reviewed by the Unity Cup Conduct Committee.

1. Suspensions for serious foul play and persistent misconduct

   1. Serious foul play shall be understood to be play characterized by fouls of an aggravated nature committed with such fervor as to threaten an opponent with serious physical harm and will carry a minimum one (1) game suspension with subsequent review

   2. Suspension for abusive language directed at an opponent, colleague or spectator will carry a one (1) game suspension

   3. Persistent misconduct will carry a one (1) game suspension

   4. The above suspensions are to be considered minimum. The Unity Cup reserves the right to increase the suspension based on the severity of the violation. Situations not listed will be reviewed by the Unity Cup Conduct Committee.

2. Conduct detrimental to the good and welfare of soccer

   1. Such misconduct shall include but is not limited to misbehavior as a spectator, the consumption of alcoholic beverages and/or the use of illegal substances in the vicinity of the playing field before, during or after the game. This offense carries a minimum one (1) game suspension with further review of the incident by the Unity Cup Conduct Committee.

3. Celebrations

   1. Excessive and/or inappropriate celebrations could result in a possible card and/or suspension at the digression of the referees (possible cards) and Central PA Unity Cup Staff (possible suspension).

4. Cards

   1. Yellow cards accumulate through group play. Upon receiving a second yellow card during group play, the player will receive a one (1) game suspension. Yellow cards will reset at the conclusion of group play.

   2. Yellow cards accumulate through the knockout round. Upon receiving a second yellow card during the knockout round, the player will receive a one (1) game suspension.

   3. Yellow cards will reset at the conclusion of the quarterfinals.

   4. If a player receives a red card at any time, the player will leave that game immediately and will also serve a minimum one (1) game suspension.

      1. Red cards do not reset at any point during the tournament.

   5. Cards and minimum suspensions due to cards are not appealable, if additional games are added that may be appealed.

5. Appeals of disciplinary actions (other than mandatory suspensions) may be made by handing in a written appeal, with a fifty dollar ($50) appeal fee to the tournament director within 72 hours for review.

6. Players Expectations:

   1. Promote and demonstrate good sportsmanship.

   2. Play a fair and respectful game.

   3. Respect the referees, staff, coaches, and fans

   4. Use the sport of soccer to unite the people in their cultures as well as the other countries represented.

   5. Be a good example for the youth of your culture as well as the youth of Philadelphia.

   6. HAVE FUN!!!!

7. Coaches Expectations:

   1. Encourage their players to do all the expectations above.

   2. Be a role model to their community and the city of Philadelphia.

   3. Respect the referees, staff, players, and fans.

   4. Be a driving factor in having different communities come together.

   5. Be alert of any injuries or issues the team may have and make it a priority to improve conditions.

   6. HAVE FUN!!!!

8. Staff/ Volunteer Expectations:

   1. Respect the fans, players, and coaches.

   2. Help any spectator, player, coach that may need assistance with something.

   3. Be alert for possible surrounding issues (Fans drinking and/or fighting, equipment issues, etc).

   4. Do not show up under the influence

      1. Failure to do so will result in being sent home with possible suspension/ firing for staff members.

      2. Volunteers with not get their hours signed if need be.

   5. Be enthusiastic, have fun, and promote a good atmosphere at the games you are working.

9. Fans/ Spectators Expectations:

   1. Watch and cheer in a respectful matter.

   2. No derogatory comments/chants towards opposing teams. RESPECT!

   3. Let the referees and coaches do their jobs!!

   4. The consumption or use of alcohol or drugs is prohibited.

   5. Physical or verbal assaults will not be tolerated!

   6. Represent your country loud and proud!

   7. HAVE FUN!!!!

10. Rule Addendum

    1. Players and coach attire

       1. Be in proper uniform at all times

          1. This includes tournament provided jersey and shorts, matching socks of the team, and shin guards

          2. Uniform numbers should remain consistent for the entire tournament

    2. Players must be in uniform on the bench (Only checked in players, this will reduce number of people throwing on a team Jersey when they are not on the team)

    3. Coaches must be in coaches shirt, or readily identifiable on the bench

    4. Failure to do so will result in a yellow card – NO EXCEPTIONS!

11. Team Bench Behavior

    1. Coaches are responsible for all persons on their bench

       1. There should be no more than 22 players and 3 coaches on the bench at any time

       2. Players must always be in game jersey, even if injured

       3. There should be no persons on the bench who are non-players or non-coaches

          1. In the event this occurs, the head coach will receive an automatic yellow card

12. Appropriate Behavior

    1. The Unity Cup exists to bring communities together, not to split them apart

    2. Any player or coach that issues racially/ethnically derogative term to a player, coach or fan will receive an automatic red card, ejection and one year suspension from the tournament (effective the date of the incident)

    3. Any player or coach who throws a punch, or is involved in a physical altercation will receive an automatic red card, ejection and one year suspension from the tournament (effective the date of the incident)

    4. Any suspended player or coach may not attend the games in which they are suspended.

13. Appropriate Behavior towards game Officials

    1. We will not always see eye-to-eye with the officials, but we must respect their decisions on the field

    2. Officials have been asked not to escalate arguments, but rather to calm them down. In the event an official escalates an argument, the tournament director will report the behavior to the referee assignor

       1. Teams are encouraged to complete their official’s evaluation every Monday

    3. Any player or coach that accuses an official of cheating will receive an automatic red card, ejection and suspension from the team’s next match. In the event the season is over, that player will serve their suspension at the beginning of the next season.

    4. Any player who verbally abuses an official by either swearing or using a racially/ethnically derogative term will receive a red card, ejection and one year suspension from the tournament (effective the date of the incident)

    5. Any suspended player or coach may not attend the games in which they are suspended.

14. Trophy Etiquette​

    1. Perpetual Trophies will be given to the winning teams in both men's and women's divisions for the ​remainder of the year up to the opening day of the next tournament. Trophies should be displayed with respect and with low possibilities of damage or theft.  Perpetual trophies that are damaged or stolen will result in a replacement fee plus the cost of the replacement perpetual trophy. 

 

Eastern Pennsylvania Soccer Association

 

RELEASE OF LIABILITY – READ BEFORE SIGNING

In consideration of being allowed to participate in any way with the United States Adult Soccer Association (USASA), the Eastern Pennsylvania Soccer Association (EPSA) and the Central PA Unity Cup, their related events and activities, I, the undersigned, acknowledge, appreciate and agree that:

1. The risk of injury from the activities involved in this program is significant, including the potential for permanent paralysis and death, and while particular skills, equipment, and personal discipline may reduce this risk, the risk of serious injury does exist; and,

2. I KNOWINGLY AND FREELY ASSUME ALL SUCH RISKS, both known and unknown, EVEN IF ARISING FROM THE NEGLIGENCE OF THE RELEASEES or other, and assume full responsibility for my participation; and,

3. I willingly agree to comply with the stated and customary terms and conditions for participation. If, however, I observe an unusual significant hazard during my presence or participation, I will remove myself from participation and bring such to the attention of the proper authorities immediately; and,

4. I, for myself and on behalf of my heirs, assigns, personal representatives and next of kin, HEREBY RELEASE, INDEMNIFY, AND HOLD HARMLESS the United States Adult Soccer Association (USASA), the Eastern Pennsylvania Soccer Association (EPSA) and the Central PA Unity Cup, their officers, officials, agents and/or employees, volunteers, other participants, sponsoring agencies, sponsors, advertisers, and, if applicable, owners and lessors of premises used for the activity (“Releasees”), WITH RESPECT TO ANY AND ALL INJURY, DISABILITY, DEATH, or loss or damage to person or property associated with my presence or participation, WHETHER ARISING FROM THE NEGLIGENCE OF THE RELEASEES OR OTHERWISE, to the fullest extent permitted by law.

I HAVE READ THIS RELEASE OF LIABILITY AND ASSUMPTION OF RISK AGREEMENT, FULLY UNDERSTAND ITS TERMS, UNDERSTAND THAT I HAVE GIVEN UP SUBSTANTIAL RIGHTS BY SIGNING IT, AND SIGN IT FREELY AND VOLUNTARILY WITHOUT ANY INDUCEMENT.