State Tosses Out Soccer Eligibility Rule

A Southern Section rule that limits the number of high school soccer players who may play on non-school-sponsored soccer teams was rejected by the State Federated Council Saturday, despite objections from Stan Thomas, Southern Section commissioner.

The rule (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 the sport, was ruled out of compliance with a California Interscholastic Federation ruling that gave exception to the sport of soccer.

“We’re not finished with it yet,” Thomas said. “We (the Southern Section) still have some work to do. I’ll be sending a letter to all our principals with our alternatives . . . which we have at our disposal.”

Thomas added that the Southern Section has no intention of taking legal action against the CIF.