In 2007, the Alberta Soccer Association had a dispute with the Edmonton Interdistrict Youth Soccer Association regarding the process for choosing teams from the Edmonton area (District 8) for the youth Tier 1 and Tier 2 provincials.

Note that this time line is incomplete, with some missing documents. We will post other documents as they become available.

Early 2007

EMSA writes to ASA apparently claiming that the existing method of selecting teams for provincial competition is unfair to EMSA. At this time, Mario Charpentier is president of EMSA and Fred Kern is president of ASA.

This letter is referred to in the ASA response of July 12. If anybody can provide a copy of the letter we will post it on the site.

26 May 2007

At a board meeting, ASA decides to change how Edmonton area teams in tier 1 and 2 will be selected for provincial competition.

There is an excerpt from the meeting minutes in the EIYSA appeal of June 19.

8 June 2007

Fred Kern, ASA President, sends an email to EMSA and EIYSA informing them of the decision.

For the text of the email see the EIYSA appeal of June 19.

19 June 2007

EIYSA files an appeal. The appeal document is lengthy. Extracts are below: EIYSA Application for Leave to Appeal ASA meeting minutes (extract) decision re: provincial representation EIYSA Statement of Fact Document for CSA Appeals Committee ASA voting structure 2007 Soccer Federation of Edmonton Bylaws Legal status of SFE, including history of playdowns Opinion from ASA Executive Director that the Soccer Federation of Edmonton is the District representative ASA Bylaws (1998) ASA General Rules and Regulations EIYSA Rules and Regulations EMSA Bylaws (extract) Appeals to the Soccer Federation of Edmonton EMSA Rules and Regulations (extract) Appeal Procedures Edmonton District Soccer Association Rules and Regulations (extract) Appeals EMSA calendar of events showing playdowns scheduled for August 13-19 and August 20-26

The appeal document disputes the timing of the decision, the process, and the jurisdiction of the ASA to override the existing policy.

12 July 2007

ASA responds to the appeal.

The response provides reasoning for the legality of the board decision, and makes the argument that because EMSA is the larger of the leagues, and its number of players is essential in giving District 8 two spots in the provincials, EMSA should be entitled to one of the spots. It argues that the playdown format used in previous years is unfair to the players in EMSA. The response mentions various attachments. These are not part of the document. If anybody can provide copies of these we will post them on the site.

19 July 2007

EIYSA sends a rebuttal to the ASA response.

The rebuttal provides additional reasons why EIYSA feels the ASA decision is "patently unreasonable" and "unfair".

24 July 2007

EIYSA submits a proposal for 2007 playdowns.

The proposal offers to hold the playdowns pending a decision by the CSA Appeals Committee. If the Appeals Committee rules in favour of EIYSA, then the winners of the playdowns advance. If the Appeals Committee rules in favour of the ASA/EMSA, then each league will send one team. The text of the proposal is in the ASA response of July 27.

27 July 2007

Counsel for ASA rejects the proposal.

The ASA rejects the proposal because the case is being reviewed by the Appeals Committee.

9 August 2007

CSA rules in favour of EIYSA.

"The Committee finds that the decision of the ASA Board ... was made in breach of the ASA General Rules and Regulations" and "was made without regard to the principles of fairness and transparency". It orders the ASA to review the decision and allow the playdowns to proceed for 2007.

10 August 2007

ASA responds to CSA ruling.

Some EMSA teams are not available to participate in the playdowns because they had made other commitments. The email mentions a letter dated July 30. If anybody can provide a copy of this we will post it on the site.

13 August 2007

EIYSA responds to ASA email of August 10.

This essentially restates the EIYSA arguments and their intention to follow the CSA ruling.

14 August 2007

ASA makes decision to reject CSA ruling.

"After considering the matter in accordance with ASA's by-laws, rules and regulations, the ASA Board passed a motion to re-affirm its May 26, 2007 decision."

15 August 2007

CSA Appeals Committee reaffirms decision in a letter to the ASA lawyer.

"The CSA Appeals Committee decision has been made and duly distributed to both parties. It is final and binding as per the CSA By-Laws 14(f)."

17 August 2007

CSA Appeals Committee informs CSA Executive Committee of the decision.

"The CSA Appeals Committee granted the appeal and found that the ASA decision of June 8 was made in breach of the ASA General Rules and Regulations."

18 August 2007

ASA sends letter to CSA.

The letter mentions an upcoming meeting for August 20. It also states: "The May 26, 2007 decision of the ASA Board of Directors was based solely on ASA By-Law Article 26 b), which provides that, The Association may make such other regulatory measures as it deems necessary for the efficient administration of the playing structure of the game within its jurisdiction."

20 August 2007

Lawyers for EIYSA send email to CSA.

"EIYSA is very concerned that there may be a meeting tomorrow concerning its appeal and the decision and directions of the Appeals Committee at which the Board of the ASA will be heard but EIYSA will not be heard."

21 August 2007

EIYSA files for an injunction.

The request asks that playdowns proceed as originally scheduled.

22 August 2007

The court issues an injunction awarding both provincial spots to EIYSA.

The court order says that the ASA, "by way of its somewhat arbitrary and obtuse conduct, has created the dilemma which all of the participants now find themselves in." Further, the order says "it looks to me like there has been an awful lot of game-playing here to try and avoid particular results." It concludes with a warning that failure to comply may result in contempt of court.

late August 2007

Provincial competitions are held. EIYSA teams participate.

6 September 2007

ASA schedules a hearing for September 15, to investigate possible expulsion of EIYSA. EIYSA responds.

The hearing was adjourned on October 4.

26 September 2007

The CSA rejects the appeal ruling.

In the opinion of the CSA Executive Committee, "The Appeals Committee was not allowed to consider EIYSA's application for leave to appeal, since this is contradictory to article 14 k."

28 September 2007

EIYSA responds to the CSA letter of September 26.

"As you will no doubt appreciate, the letter of September 26, 2007, is most unusual and is inconsistent with the CSA Bylaws, Rules and Regulations as shown in the August 20, 2007 decision of the Executive Committee." It is not clear whether CSA responded to this letter.

4 October 2007

ASA adjourns hearing scheduled for October 13.