Hot Topics

The following topics have been the most discussed among the Philadelphia Soccer Officials Chapter officials this current season:

2025

Beginning with the 2025 season, if a coach or an adult team personnel member is shown a red card (ejected from the game) and they refuse to leave the field of play, including the team's technical area, the game should be terminated and a forfeit will be declared.

2024

Beginning with the 2024-2025 season, a player on the field of play, receiving a second yellow card, will be issued a soft red card. If the player commits a red card offense as they are leaving the field of play, a red card should be shown.

Soft Red vs Straight Red Situation Chart

Participant Receives 2nd Yellow Card Soft Red or Yellow/Straight Red Next Action

Player on the Field       Soft Red                     Player ejected and remains on the bench.

Player on the Bench           Yellow/Straight Red             Player ejected and remains on the bench.

Coach/Team Personnel       Yellow/Straight Red                                         Coach/Team Personnel must leave the field and out of sight/sound.

Soft Red Card - substitution may occur for the carded player. The player is ejected for the game and is eligible to play on the same day or in the next contest. No disqualification report needed to be submitted to PIAA.

Red Card - if the substitution has not occurred, the team will play short-handed. A disqualification report must be submitted to PIAA. The player is ineligible for any games that day and will be required to sit the next JV or Varsity contest unless the ejection is a supplementary, then minimum 2 game suspension.

What's The Call

Scenario
The ball is in the penalty area.  Neither team has possession of the ball.  During the play, a defensive player fouls an offensive play off the field of play.

Result
Assuming a whistle is blown for the foul that occurred off the field of play, we need to determine the type of foul before we can decide on the proper restart.

• If the defensive player committed a foul that would normally be penalized with an Indirect Free Kick, the ball would be placed at the nearest boundary line closest to where the foul was committed, and an Indirect Free Kick would be awarded to the offensive team. 

• If the defensive player committed a foul that would normally be penalized with a Direct Free Kick, the ball would be placed on the penalty mark and a penalty kick would be awarded to the offensive team.

• If the defensive team committed violent conduct, the ball would be placed on the penalty mark and a penalty kick would be awarded to the offensive team . The defender would be shown a red card (ejection).

2022

Update -PIAA Soccer Bulletin # 1

If a player has any sort of hair adornment that in the opinion of the referee is in violation of the rules, the referee should request that head coach have that player make the necessary adjustment.
If the player refuses to make the necessary adjustment, allow that player to play. The official should inform the coach that the player is improperly equipped and inform the school athletic administration, if possible in writing.
The official must also inform PIAA in writing of the improperly equipped player and send the information to Mr. Patrick Gebhart, PIAA Assistant Executive Director via email at pgebhart@piaa.org noting:

• date of the game

•  school player attends

•  player by name and number and 

• what action the official took to address the issue. 

Bottom line, the player shall play, and the official should refer the details to the PIAA. The coach SHOULD NOT be carded, nor the player. 

Rule 4 - Player Equipment

Rule 4.2.2 - Other Equipment

Every effort should be made to allow the player to participate in the match; however, player safety will not be overlooked when deciding whether hair accessories are permitted to be worn.

Refer to Page 28 of the 2022-23 NFHS Soccer Rule book to review several situations you may encounter on the field and how to properly handle those situations.

Note: When officiating you may be told of the Crown Act.  The CROWN Act, which stands for “Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair,” is a law that prohibits race-based hair discrimination, which is the denial of employment and educational opportunities because of hair texture or protective hairstyles including braids, locks, twists or bantu knots. Although, this act has not been ratified as federal or state law, the city of Philadelphia has passed this act. The passing of this act does not supersede the NFHS law in keeping players safe. If you feel player safety is in jeopardy, the player must secure hair adornments before the game begins.

The Official CROWN Act (thecrownact.com) 

PIAA Adoption

Beginning with the 2022-23 season PIAA officials may wear the Pro Style Neon Yellow jersey. The jersey must have the PIAA patch on the left arm sleeve and may not have another soccer federation emblem on the right hand sleeve. For additional information about officials' uniforms click on the link to the Uniforms page.

Illegal Substitution - 5 Minute Site Out Not Completed

If a player receives a yellow card: therefore, is required to sit out for 5 minutes, the player may not report to the scorer's table until the 5 minutes has expired.

If the player enters the game before serving the 5-minute sit out and is noticed, the player should not be shown the yellow card for illegal substitution. The yellow card should be issued to the coach.

Goalkeeper Handling the Ball Outside the Penalty Area

The goalkeeper is treated like any other player when handling the ball outside of the penalty area. A hand-ball infraction by the goalkeeper should be restarted with a direct free kick to the opposing team.

Note: This would not be considered an indirect free kick penalty.

If you would like to see a specific rule clarifications added to the Hot Topics section please email Jason Yost at yostjc@hotmail.com.