How do I appeal a discipline decision?

Question

Accepted Answer

Decisions of an adult league, a BC Soccer standing committee or a BC Soccer judicial body can be appealed to BC Soccer. Deadline: send a written statement of your grounds to the BC Soccer independent third party (ITP) officer within 10 business days of being told of the decision. Appeals are lodged through the online form at https://www.integritycounts.ca/org/itpsport. What to include: the decision being appealed, your grounds, a statement of facts, the rule or regulation that was contravened, the remedy you want, and proof you paid the appeal fee (set annually by BC Soccer). Grounds: you cannot appeal on the merits alone. The listed grounds are that the body had no authority or jurisdiction, did not follow its approved procedures, was influenced by bias, used its discretion for an improper purpose, or made a grossly unreasonable decision. Timing: the ITP officer decides within 15 business days whether to accept the appeal. If it is refused you get written reasons and no further appeal. The other side has 10 business days to reply. Written decisions follow within 15 business days of the reply deadline, or of the hearing if there is an oral hearing. Outcome: the panel can dismiss the appeal, or allow it and revoke the sanction or findings or impose a different sanction. Meanwhile: sanctions other than financial orders stay in force until the appeal is finished. A one-match automatic suspension for a send-off cannot be appealed. Further appeal: the policy reserves the right to appeal to the Canada Soccer Appeals Committee.