Soccer play restrictions reinforced at MIAA meeting

If there was any doubt remaining as to whether soccer matches would look different this fall, those were quickly put to rest.

On Tuesday morning, the MIAA Soccer Committee met formally for the first time during the 2020-21 athletic year with a focus on the sport modifications set to be put in place for the fall 2020 season.

Most schools that have elected to play soccer in the fall season are set to begin their seasons on Friday. A large share of the meeting centered around the different rules that officials will have to enforce in accordance with the modifications set to go into place for the fall. The modifications to both boys and girls’ soccer were generated in order to adhere to the guidelines put forth by the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) with regards to moderate-risk sports.

While Ric Beaudoin of the Eastern Mass. Soccer Officials Association (EMSOA) did not go through each of the modifications in-depth, he dove into a few of the more notable changes set to go into effect.

“If I go through all these modifications, we’ll be here all morning,” Beaudoin quipped.

While strict, the sport-specific modifications are intended to eliminate deliberate and intermittent contact in accordance with EEA guidelines. At the top of list are no corner kicks, no throw-ins, no slide-tackling, and no headers. Face coverings must be worn by players, officials, and coaches at all times with the exception of when one player is significantly far enough away from the action or if they are engaged in a long run down the field. Instead of halves this year games will adhere to four quarters. The break between quarters will serve as a mask break for the participants.

Beaudoin stated that if incidental contact takes place as one player tries to take the ball from an opponent, it will be the officials’ discretion on whether to blow the whistle.

“If there is slight incidental contact, that will be a judgment call for the official,” Beaudoin stated.

One issue that was harped on was the conduct of players and coaches towards officials. In response to a pair of issues last fall, including one in which a player made contact with an official at the end of a match over a disagreement with a call, and in conjunction with the rule modifications any player that goes toward an official to argue will be given a yellow card. Additionally, any player that goes within six feet of an official to disagree with a call will be awarded a red card.

The committee concluded the meeting by going into executive session.

from Boston Herald https://ift.tt/3iA653l