The purpose of this Appeals Policy is to establish a clear, fair, and consistent process for appealing disciplinary decisions issued by the TYFA Compliance Committee. TYFA is committed to maintaining integrity and accountability while ensuring that appeals are handled objectively and efficiently.

All appeals must meet the eligibility requirements outlined in this policy.

If, upon review, TYFA determines that an appeal does not meet the eligibility criteria, the appeal will be denied without further review, and the individual or organization will not be allowed to resubmit the same appeal.

A person or organization must meet the criteria for eligibility before submitting an appeal. Appeals that do not meet these requirements will not be reviewed.

A ruling by TYFA Compliance may only be appealed if one or more of the following apply:

• Error in Interpretation: Compliance made an error in interpreting TYFA rules, policies, or procedures.

• Unreasonable Findings: The findings of fact were unrealistic or could not reasonably be made based on the evidence available.

• Excessive or Unreasonable Discipline: The disciplinary action imposed is disproportionate to the findings of fact.

• New Evidence: New, relevant evidence or information has become available that was not accessible during the initial review.

To be valid, all appeals must meet the following requirements:

Deadline:

• Appeals must be submitted via email to HelpDesk@tyfa.com within 24 hours of the Compliance ruling.

• Appeals received after this deadline will not be reviewed.

Fact-Based Requirement:

• Appeals must be fact-based and supported by verifiable evidence.

• Appeals that are emotional, speculative, or opinionated will not be reviewed.

Supporting Evidence:

• All evidence supporting the appeal — such as videos, photographs, or documents — must be submitted at the time of the appeal.

• Additional materials submitted after the initial appeal will not be considered.

• TYFA reserves the right to reject manipulated or edited media (e.g., “chopped up” videos or selective still images) if deemed unreliable or misleading.

Content of Appeal:

• The appeal email must include:

• A clear, factual description of the situation.

• Specific reasons and evidence showing why the ruling should be reconsidered or modified.

• References to the eligibility criteria that apply to your situation.

Example of an invalid appeal:

“The referees didn’t make a call, so my reaction was justified.” This type of statement will not be accepted as a valid argument for appeal.

Conduct and Tone:

Appeals must be submitted respectfully. Threats, vulgar language, or disrespectful comments toward TYFA officials, staff, or volunteers will not be tolerated and may result in additional disciplinary action.

Review Authority:

All appeals are reviewed by the TYFA Senior Executive Board (SEB). There is no higher authority within TYFA for further review.

Timeline:

• In-Season: The SEB will review and rule on appeals within 48 hours of receipt.

• Off-Season: The SEB will review and rule on appeals within 72 hours of receipt.

Additional Information:

The SEB may request clarification or additional information from any involved party before issuing a final decision.

Eligibility Review:

If, upon initial review, the SEB determines that the appeal does not meet the eligibility requirements, the appeal will be denied immediately and will not be eligible for resubmission.

Upon review, the SEB will issue one of the following outcomes:

• Uphold the Original Ruling issued by Compliance.

• Uphold the Ruling with Modifications, such as reducing or adjusting the disciplinary action.

• Overturn the Ruling in full, dismissing the disciplinary action.

The SEB’s decision is final and binding. There are no further levels of appeal within TYFA or to any external organization, as TYFA operates independently.

If a person or organization is unsure whether their situation meets the eligibility criteria for appeal, they may contact HelpDesk@tyfa.com for clarification before submitting a formal appeal.