Fine Structure

It is clear that playoff game ineligibility is not enough of a deterrent for members to follow the requirements, policies and procedures set forth by the GLOA, GHSA, and NFHS. These fines create a consequence for non-compliance. Of particular concern are officials who watch the online rules clinics and do not take the required rules tests. No official should officiate a contest who has not taken the required tests.

All fines and fees assessed to any member shall be paid to the Treasurer of GLOA and deposited in the Kevin Moore Fund in order to support professional development opportunities for member officials in good standing.

GLOA Board Members shall be held to a higher standard than members of the body. If a member of the GLOA Board is in violation of the no show and/or late assignment standards set by the Board, the board member’s penalty shall be assessed at the second penalty level.
When a fine is assessed, the assignor shall send an email to [email protected] and indicate what the issue is and the fine being assessed. A board member shall be tasked with tracking all fines and reporting this information to the treasurer.

Reporting a Violation

Any official desiring to report a finable offense or violation of the GLOA code of ethics should send an email to [email protected]. A report must be made within 48 hours of any incident.

Appeals Process

All fines, fees, and Ethic Committee decisions may be appealed to the GLOA Board. In order to appeal, the member shall present to the President a written request via email to have their appeal heard by the Board within thirty (30) days of being informed of a violation.

Before an appeal can be scheduled; all fines, fees or penalties that have been assessed must be paid in full.

Within seven (7) days of receiving a written request for an appeal, the President shall schedule a meeting with the GLOA Board. A quorum of the Board must be present to conduct a hearing. The decision of the Board will be final.

The member must appear at the location and time scheduled (the meeting may be a conference call or held remotely), unless the member has requested and been granted an extension for the hearing. The non-appearance of the appealing member at the hearing will deem the original fine, fee, or Ethics decision as being valid.

No future appeals will be allowed.

Type	1st Incident	2nd Incident	3rd Incident
Late Registration	$50 Fine
Game No Show	Warning	½ of the game(s) fee	Possible up to 3 week or greater Suspension and/or Termination
Late to Game	Warning	$10 Fine	$25, Suspension until hearing
Turn Backs	Warning $10 Fine if <24 hrs $5 Fine if 25> hrs	Up to 2 week Suspension $25 Fine if <24 hrs $15 Fine if 25> hrs	Up to 3 week or greater Suspension $35 Fine if <24 hrs $25 Fine if 25> hrs
Failure to Communicate	Warning	$10 Fine	$25 Fine Possible up to 3 week or greater Suspension
Improper or Lack of Uniform	Warning	$5 Fine	$10 Fine Possible up to 3 week or greater Suspension
Unsatisfactory Officiating Report	Warning	Minor Infraction Fine of up to ½ game fee for contest	Major Infraction Fine of up to ½ game fee for contest Possible up to 3 week or greater Suspension

Fine Structure Detail

 

Late Registration

• Any member who does not register on time with the GLOA shall be assessed a fine of $50.00.

No Show

• Failure to work an assigned game.
  • 1st incident
    • A warning and a reminder.
  • 2nd incident
    • A fine equal to one-half of the game(s) fees that the official would have received if they had officiated the game(s). The official must participate in a hearing with the Ethics Committee within 14 days from the notification of the fine.
  • 3rd incident
    • Possible suspension, up to or greater than 3 weeks, and/or termination from the GLOA. The Ethics Committee shall make a recommendation to the full board, and the board will make the final decision in such circumstances.
• In all cases, if there are extenuating circumstances for the turn back/down, officials must notify the assignors in advance by phone.
• Exceptions will be made for any extenuating circumstances such as a medical situation or family emergency.

Late to Game

• Federation rules recommend that officials arrive at the field ready to certify the coach at least twenty minutes before the scheduled start time (NFHS Rule 2:6).
  • 1st incident
    • Warning and a reminder.
  • 2nd incident
    • A fine of $10.
  • 3rd incident
    • A fine of $25, and the official will not be assigned GLOA games until they participate in a hearing with the Ethics Committee.
• In all cases, if there are extenuating circumstances for the turn back/down, officials must notify the assignors in advance by phone. Exceptions will be made for any extenuating circumstances such as a medical situation or family emergency.

No GHSA Test/Clinic

• Officials who do not pass the GHSA rules exam and do not complete the GHSA clinic are only permitted to work youth contests, provided they are USA Lacrosse members and passed the USA Lacrosse NFHS and Youth rules exams.

Turn-backs

• Officials are independent contractors, and as such determine when and where they officiate games. Assignors depend upon officials providing accurate availability and keeping that information current.
• When an official decides, for whatever reason, not to honor an accepted game, this is deemed a “turn-back”. Turning back an accepted assignment without adequate justification is unacceptable.
• Accepting such an assignment is a contractual obligation that stipulates the individual will officiate the assigned match at the specified time, date, and location.
  • Officials should regularly check Arbiter to ensure their availability is correct.
  • When a known scheduling conflict arises, officials should update their availability as soon as possible.
  • Published assignments should be accepted or declined (with good cause) within 24 hours of the assignment.
  • It is not acceptable for an official to turn back an accepted game within 72 hours unless an emergency situation exists.
  • It is not acceptable for an official to notify their assignor of an emergency-related turn-back on the day of the match via email. The official must call the assignor to provide notification of the emergency situation.
• In the event that an official does not meet the above listed requirements, fines will be assessed according to this schedule:
  • 1st incident
    • Warning and a fine dependent on when the game was turned back.
      • 24 hours or less before game; a fine of $10.
      • 25 hours or more before game; a fine of $5.
  • 2nd incident
    • Up to 2 week suspension from officiating any GLOA assigned contest and a fine.
      • 24 hours or less before game; a fine of $25.
      • 25 hours or more before game; a fine of $15.
  • 3rd incident
    • Up to or greater than 3 week suspension from officiating any GLOA assigned contest and a fine.
      • 24 hours or less before game; a fine of $35.
      • 25 hours or more before game; a fine of $25.
• In all cases, if there are extenuating circumstances for the turn back/down, officials must notify the assignors in advance by phone. Exceptions will be made for any extenuating circumstances such as a medical situation or family emergency.

Failure to Communicate

• The Referee is responsible for contacting the Umpire and Field Judge (if assigned) at least 48 hours prior to the game. The entire crew is responsible for confirming receipt of communication from the Referee.
  • 1st incident
    • Warning and a reminder.
  • 2nd incident
    • A fine of $10.
  • 3rd incident
    • A fine of $25 and possible up to or greater than 3 week suspension based upon the Ethics Committee recommendation.

Improper Uniform or Lack of Equipment

• Officials are required to wear the basic uniform and have the necessary equipment for all games worked.
• Weather conditions or other circumstances may necessitate changing the uniform or adding another piece of equipment. If an official does not have a required piece of equipment, inform the assigned Referee when contacting that individual prior to the game.
  • 1st incident
    • Warning and a reminder.
  • 2nd incident
    • A fine of $5.
  • 3rd incident
    • A fine of $10 and possible up to or greater than 3 week suspension based upon the Ethics Committee recommendation.

Unsatisfactory Officiating Report

• Any report submitted to the GHSA for unsatisfactory officiating shall be reviewed by the Ethics Committee with assistance from trainers, observers, and the state rules interpreter. A recommendation will be made to the Board, which shall make a final decision:
  • Minor infraction
    • A fine of up to half of the game fee for the contest in question.
  • Major infraction
    • A fine of up to half of the game fee.
    • Possible up to or greater than 3 week suspension from the association.