In case of inclement weather, the home team is responsible for notifying the visiting team and referee assignor if the match needs to be cancelled. Proper protocal and common courtesy require that the change in schedule be worked out with the opposing team first, before the assignor is notified, particularly if the opposing team is traveling in from out of town. And, notification has to happen early enough so that traveling families and coaching staffs will not be unduly inconvenienced.
Because Mother Nature is sometimes fickle and inclement weather does not always arrive properly announced, we usually have a choice of either 1) cancel the match first thing in the morning so everyone who needs to be notified in time can be, or 2) wait and let the referee decide once everyone has arrived at the pitch (as is usually done with baseball during the summer months).
If early notification of cancellation cannot be accomplished, then both teams are obligated to report to the pitch as scheduled, ready to play. If the visiting team just assumes that the match is cancelled and does not show, then it is subject to forfeit; if the home team fails to properly notify the necessary parties in advance and does not show, then it is subject to forfeit. If both teams report to the pitch as scheduled and then the referee calls the match due to inclement playing conditions, then neither team is subject to forfeit.
If one team forfeits, then it is subject to fees being charged against its performance bond and the opposing team is awarded a win for the match.
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| BRCL Home | http://www.brclsoccer.org/admin/weather.html -- Last updated May 29, 2002 |