WSSL follow the normal rules of Associated Football. Some rules have been changed or added to fit in with WSSL style of play.
See the changes below followed by the full rules booklet.
Playing Time
WSSL soccer match is comprised of two 45-minute halves, with extra time added for each at the referee’s discretion. The halves are separated by a half-time period not to exceed 10 minutes. The extra time generally corresponds with the referee’s determination of how much time was taken up due to substitutions and injuries. Although soccer does have an allotted time limit, it is ultimately up to the referee’s as to when to end a match.
Rolling Subs
5 rolling subs are allowed. Substitutions should be made from the halfway line, and when the ball is out of play. The referee must be made aware of all substitutions, and this is particularly so when substituting goalkeepers. Only 2 registered Saturday players are allowed in your 16 man squad named on the day. Unless you are in the 1st Division then you can have as many Saturday players as you wish. In the event of the Scottish Cup draw and you have been drawn to play a 1st division team you are allowed to play all your registered Saturday players in your named squad on the day.
WSSL Rules on Refereeing
Prior to kick‑off both Captains/Managers need to meet and indicate if they have a Referee.
- If both teams have a referee, then the home team does the first half and the visiting team the second half. The Home team is designated by being the first name in the draw.
- If one team does not have a referee at kick‑off time then the other team’s referee is deemed to be the referee for the whole game.
Note: (a) At half time, should the opposing team Captain/Manager indicate that they now have a Referee, it is up to the Captain/Manager whose Referee controlled the first half to decide whether he wishes his Referee to carry on or not. (ie to allow the opposition’s Referee to take‑over). Remember ‑ You have every right to say “NO” to their offer.
Note: (b) Should the team that is providing the Referee for the whole game want to change the Referee at half time, the opposing team then have the right in this instance to have their Referee take over the second half.
Match Day
Each Captain or Manager is responsible for assuring that their players are at the correct venue on time, that the nets and corner-posts are up prior to kick-off (home team managers only), that the team has matching kit that does not clash with the opposing team, communicating with the opposing team’s manager and referee.
Teams must be ready with at least the min of 8 players to kick off at the time allocated in the draw. Not being ready on time will result in a forfeit win to the other team that is ready and waiting.
No-show Fee
To all Captains/Managers,
All teams are to pay a $100 bond along with their entry fees.
The bond is held by the WSSL and the money is used to compensate teams who turn up for a game – both competitive and friendlies – only to find the opposition is not there.
As this bond decision was made in 2011, it is appropriate to remind clubs about it and their responsibility to show that their opponents have acknowledged a default announcement.
In the event of a team failing to appropriately notify its opponent’s captain or manager that it will default, $100 from the bond will be paid to the team which missed its game. The same will happen on the second occasion of an unannounced default
We do operate a three-strike rule, and in the case of a team failing to inform opponents of a pending default for a third time during a season, the defaulting team will be suspended from the league for the rest of the season.
By midnight Thursday ahead of a weekend game, an email must have been sent to the WSSL secretary (wssl.football@hotmail.com) showing the opponents have acknowledged the pending default. This rule is imposed because there have been instances of defaulting teams claiming to have sent text messages and saying they had not received a response.
If a team finds it cannot contact any members of the opposition, then the captain or manager is responsible for making verbal contact with the WSSL secretary to report this by no later than 9.30am on the Friday before the game.
The $100 will not be forfeit if a team which has defaulted can show it has made a concerted effort to inform its opponents. The WSSL will review the steps taken in this case and make a decision.
The $100 bond rolls over each season – so if you are never penalised, you never have to top the money up and it will be refunded if and when you do not register for the following season.