THE PREPS : CIF May Overrule Southern Section on Soccer Limits

A Southern Section rule that limits the number of high school soccer players who may play on non-school-sponsored soccer teams may be overruled this weekend by the State Federated Council, according to Southern Section Commissioner Stan Thomas.

Last Thursday, the Southern Section General Council upheld Southern Section rule 2712.1, which states that no more than five members of a high school team may play on the same club team outside the season of sport. The Southern Section ruling came despite a ruling by the California Interscholastic Federation that gave an exception to the sport of soccer.

The State Federated Council will meet Friday and Saturday at Burlingame, and Thomas said the interpretation of the rule will be up for debate.

“They may (overrule it),” Thomas said. “What we’re trying to do is come to an agreement between both sides. We (the Southern Section) feel we are in compliance with the rule, but we’re just being more restrictive. The state (CIF) feels we are out of compliance altogether.”