Discipline / Complaints / Appeals

Safe Sport Position Statement: BC Soccer believes that everyone involved in soccer has the right to participate in safe and inclusive environments free of abuse, harassment, discrimination, and to enjoy the sport at whatever level or capacity they participate in. The welfare of everyone involved in soccer is the foremost consideration and in particular, the protection of children in the sport is the responsibility of everyone involved. CLICK HERE to view BC Soccer's Safe Sport information.

All complaints, discipline, and disputes under the jurisdiction of BC Soccer as outlined below will be received by safesport@itpsport.ca, reviewed, managed, and investigated by ITP Sport in collaboration with BC Soccer Judicial and Appeals Chairs:

• Any form of excessive physical assault
• Language and/or profanity directed at a Match Official
• Attempted abuse of a Match Official
• Intimidating and/or threatening behavior
• Misconduct involving racist or sexist comments
• Complaints or inquiries referred to it by another Provincial Association
• Misconduct by an Association Official within Members or Affiliated Organizations (even if participating in another capacity)
• Misconduct at BC Soccer’s Provincial or Regional Competitions
• Any other matter directly related to BC Soccer which the Judicial Chair of BC Soccer, in their sole, discretion chooses to handle

Below is information on Discipline including jurisdiction as well as the BC Soccer current sanction list.

Compliance with Canada Soccer: As a member association of Canada Soccer, BC Soccer is required to comply with the bylaws, rules, regulations and formal directives of Canada Soccer. As it relates to Judicial (discipline, appeals and protests), BC Soccer is required to appoint an independent Judicial Chair, Appeals Chair, as well as independent Judicial Panel Members that form the various judicial panels. BC Soccer implements this independence which also means that all BC Soccer Board and Staff Members, including BC Soccer's President and Executive Director, have no involvement or influence on judicial/discipline decision-making.

Judicial Chair: Dave Jones

Appeals Chair: Sean Donlan

BC Soccer Judicial Update - Discipline Hearings Proceeding via Video Conferencing

After consultation with Canada Soccer, the Judicial Chair of BC Soccer has determined that discipline hearings, previously postponed due to COVID-19, will be now proceed via videoconference. Please click here to read the full memo. To assist in delivering hearings via videoconferencing, BC Soccer has prepared the resource document: Video-Hearing Procedures

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is ITP Sport?

ITP Sport is Canada’s first full service and programming Safe Sport agency. With a combined 20 years of experience and unparalleled expertise, we are leading the charge in the Safe Sport movement. We have curated Canada’s top professionals in the space of safeguarding, communications, legal, and operations.  With every expertise, and all angles of change considered, ITP offers an organization a custom offering of services and consultation to ensure participants are kept as safe as possible, and organizations remain strong, consistent, and proud in their commitment to Safe Sport.

Q2. Why is BC Soccer bringing an outside organization to manage discipline and complaints?

BC Soccer is seeking to provide a more efficient and effective mechanism to receive, triage and resolve complaints. Ultimately, the goal is for participants to feel safe in reporting and going through the process. An outside organization also provides a higher level of independence that ensures transparency, total removal of conflict of interest, and expertise in managing this important aspect of association activity. From a capacity and resource standpoint, ITP Sport will be able to provide enhanced customer service with reporting channels operating 24/7.

Q3. Does ITP Sport replace the Judicial Chair and the Appeals Chair of BC Soccer?

No, ITP Sport’s role is to support the functions of the Judicial and Appeals Chair of BC Soccer, working in collaboration to conduct proper triage, investigation of cases and discipline matters received by BC Soccer.

Q4. What type of complaints will be received by ITP Sport?

ITP Sport will receive, review and manage complaints under the jurisdiction of BC Soccer, in accordance with BC Soccer’s Judicial Code. This includes:

• Any form of excessive physical assault
• Language and/or profanity directed at a Match Official
• Attempted abuse of a Match Official
• Intimidating and/or threatening behavior
• Misconduct involving racist or sexist comments
• Complaints or inquiries referred to it by another Provincial Association
• Misconduct by an Association Official within Members or Affiliated Organizations (even if participating in another capacity)
• Misconduct at BC Soccer’s Provincial or Regional Competitions
• Any other matter directly related to BC Soccer which the Judicial Chair of BC Soccer, in their sole, discretion chooses to handle

Example 1:  A misconduct by a player while playing at an Adult Provincial Championships.

Q5. What type of complaints will NOT be received by ITP Sport?

All discipline matters and complaints that fall outside the jurisdiction of BC Soccer will be dealt with by the Member or Affiliated Organization in whose jurisdiction the alleged offence took place. The Member or Affiliated Organizations will ensure that their disciplinary procedures, Rules and Regulations and Sanctions are consistent with those of BC Soccer. 

Example 2: A discipline matter, involving two players from the same league and that does not meet the threshold outlined in question Q4, will be dealt by the league in which the incident took place.

Q6. I need to report a situation that falls outside the jurisdiction of BC Soccer. Who should I contact?

Situations that fall outside of the jurisdiction of BC Soccer should be reported to the local club, league or member organization. The club, league or Member Organization in reviewing the complaint can determine if the complaint should be referred to BC Soccer.