(WBBM NEWSRADIO) — Students from the Carmel High School boys soccer team — in northwest suburban Mundelein — said they’ve been banned from the Illinois High School Association (IHSA) state playoffs for violating a season-long yellow card foul rule.
Yellow cards are given for things like arguing with the official, a tactical foul, or coaching outside the coaching box. The IHSA rule states that any team that earns over 25 yellow cards over regular season may not play in the state playoffs.
“We were made aware right before our last game that we wouldn’t be able to participate, and it was a super unfortunate event, especially for our seniors, who won’t be able to experience an IHSA playoff for their last year,” said Roman Lynch, one of the Carmel players who spoke on a recent Zoom call.
Carmel said the IHSA has had multiple errors with its reporting system and added that there's a shortage of soccer officials. There's been mention of legal action.
Another one of the players, Rolando Colin, said it was very disappointing to not participate in the postseason.
“We all wanted to win a plaque, maybe go far, because I think we were … very capable of doing that,” he said. “Everybody’s just very disappointed and very gutted.”
WBBM has reached out to the IHSA for comment.
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