Regina soccer leagues implementing social distancing rules during games

Soccer players can now be given a red card for not social distancing.

Some leagues soon will be able to begin play following the announcement of Phase 4.2 of the Re-Open Saskatchewan plan. But the sport, which typically includes contact between players, will undergo rule changes before players can return to the pitch.

TJ Singh, FC Regina’s executive director, said organizers are both excited and hesitant to reopen adult leagues and youth soccer camps this summer.

“It’s exciting, but at the same time, we are nervous,” Singh said. “It’s kind of a mixed feeling because we want to make sure people are safe but I think sports play a big role in everyone’s life.”

Singh said changes to the game will include minimal contact allowed between players in accordance with the provincial government’s COVID-19 guidelines.

“We will have extra sanitization as far as before and after the game goes. Our facility staff will be sanitizing all the equipment including balls,” Singh explained.

In order to reduce contact, throw-ins will no longer be used to return the ball to play after it is kicked off the pitch. The league plans to replace them with kick-ins.

Should a player mistakenly try to throw the ball onto the pitch, they will receive a warning and the ball will be sanitized before being returned to play.

Headers, where a player uses their head to receive the ball, are now prohibited.

Singh said a verbal warning and a yellow card will be given to players found to be in violation of these social distancing rules. After two warnings, players will be given a red card and ejected from the match.

“The referee, if the person is doing it again and again, will call it as a yellow card and then down the road will be a red card,” Singh said.

“Alternative rules will be in place and referees will be informed and they will be actually calling if someone is intentionally going too close to the other players.”

In these cases, officials will blow their whistles and possession of the ball will be given to the non-offending team for a free kick.

To ensure players are all aware of these changes, the league has created a facility safety plan that players must agree to abide by before they can complete their registration.

Singh said he is aware these rules may be seen as strict.

“We have to be,” he said. “The safety of our members is our top priority. We want to enjoy the game but at the same time be safe for the members. We will make sure all those measures are implemented.”

Field sizes will also be reduced by half with fewer players on the field for this season of games.

“It will make it easier for the referees to monitor the social distancing but at the same time, we want to make sure we are within the maximum gathering size implemented by local health authorities,” Singh said.

FC Regina has been working with the Saskatchewan Soccer Association and will meet with the Regina Soccer Referee’s Association to further the implementation of these new requirements.

Fees will be reduced for the upcoming season. Singh said youth camp registrants already saw a decrease of up to 40 per cent in fees and he expects adult league registrants will see a discount of up to 35 per cent.

“I think we are doing our part by making sure, implementing all those safety measures and hopefully people enjoy this thereby making sure they are still adhering to all the safety measures,” Singh said.