The South Yorkshire Business League: Premiership: League rules
1. Players
1.1 A team can have a maximum of five players, comprising 1 goalkeeper and 4 outfield players on the pitch at any one time. All players must be registered with Match Night Limited prior to a match commencing. A team can have a maximum of 15 players registered at any one time – all 15 players can be used in one match. Players can be registered and deregistered at any point throughout the season. A player can only be registered to play for one team within each division. This means a player can play for more than one team in the league. However, the teams must be in different divisions.
1.2 A rolling substitution system will operate to allow players to come on and go off as many times as they wish during the game. Any outfield player may change places with the goalkeeper, provided that the referee is informed and it is during a stoppage in the game. The referee has the authority to stop teams changing goalkeepers if he feels that time is being wasted.
1.3 A team needs at least four players to start a match. Any less than four players and the team will not be allowed to start play. This situation will be treated as a late arrival and incur the punishments applicable for late arriving teams (section 5).
1.4 All players must be age 16 or over. A player must turn 16 on or before the 1st September to be eligible to play. All captains must be age 18 or over.
1.5 All players must wear shin pads. Only trainers or Astroturf boots can be worn – no moulded, blade or screw in studs are allowed. Each team must register its first choice team colours with Match Night Limited. All players must wear the same colour tops. In the event of team’s colours clashing, bibs will be provided and worn by the away team. All equipment provided by Match Night Limited such as bibs and match balls must be returned after the match. If this is not done, the team responsible will be charged for the item. Players must not use equipment or wear anything that could be deemed dangerous to him/her or to other players. Examples are as follows: No jewellery to be worn – no chewing gum allowed on the playing surfaces – no food or drink to be taken onto the playing surfaces, other than water - no smoking on the pitches or in the changing areas.
2. Referees
2.1 Each match is controlled by a referee who has the full authority to enforce these rules in connection with the match to which he has been appointed, from the moment he enters the locality where the pitch is situated until he leaves. Decisions of the referee are final.
2.2 The referee will record information on all the matches he/she has been officiating and report this to a Match Night Limited League co-ordinator. Match Night Limited provide the referee with match cards in order to record the following information: Names of teams playing – match result – name of goal scorers – disciplinary issues (recording names of player’s issues with blue or red cards) or teams absent.
3. The Match
3.1 The duration of the match is 30 minutes consisting of 2 x 15 minute periods. The teams will switch sides after the first half. It is the teams’ responsibility to turnaround at the end of the first half as quickly as possible. Any time lost during this turnaround will not be added onto the end of the match. No time will be added to the match in the event of stoppages.
3.2 Slide tackles and heading the ball are not permitted and will result in a free kick from the position of the tackle or the header.
3.3 Play will start with a kick off in any direction by the home team (a shot is allowed) and restart after goals with a kick off by the conceding team. The second half commences with a kick off by the away team.
3.1 The pitches are surrounded by boards so play will continue off the boards and there are no thrown ins or corner kicks. If the ball exits the playing area but is not deemed an overhead height offence (see rule 3.12) then play restarts from the goalkeeper of the opposing team to the player that last touched the ball. The one exception is if the ball exits the playing area behind the goal in which case play restarts from that goalkeeper.
3.5 Outfield players must not enter the goal arc. If an attacker enters the goal arc, a free kick will be awarded to the opposing team 2 metres outside of the arc. If a defender enters the goal arc, a penalty will be awarded to the attacking team.
3.6 Goalkeepers may not leave the goal arc. If they do so, a penalty will be awarded against them. The exception is where the goalkeeper moves outside the arc in the act of saving the ball. Goalkeepers are not allowed to take penalties.
3.7 A player that takes a penalty is allowed a maximum of two steps before striking the ball.
3.8 Players can only score from outside the goal arc. The whole ball must cross the line for the goal to stand. If a player scores a goal and his impetus carries him into the arc, the goal stands.
3.9 All free kicks are direct. Defending players must stand 2 metres from the ball at free kicks.
3.10 All throwing shall be underarm. If a goalkeeper infringes this rule, a free kick will be given to the opposition 2 metres outside the area.
3.11 Goalkeepers may save with their feet, but may not pass or clear with their feet. Infringement will result in a free kick 2 metres outside the area.
3.12 The back pass rule does not apply and a goalkeeper may pick up the ball from open play. However, a player who has received the ball from his keeper may not pass back to the keeper before another player touches the ball. Infringement will result in a free kick being awarded from where the back pass was made.
3.13 The ball may not be played over head height. Over head height is where the ball rises over the height of the crossbar. If the ball is kicked over head height a free kick will be awarded from the position the ball was kicked, to the opposing team. Where boards or fencing are present the height of the ball at the point it hits the fence, or exits over the board/fence decides if it should be a free kick. The player who last touches the ball is deemed to be the offender in regard to the over head height rule.
3.14 The exception to the over head height rule shall be when the ball rises over head height resulting from a save performed by a goalkeeper, a rebound off the goalposts or boards or if the referee decides it was a deflection off another player. Play should continue in this circumstance. Should another player then play the ball whilst it is still over head height this will result in a free kick to the opposing team.
3.15 There are no offsides.
3.16 The team captain will be given a match card before each game and must note on it who is playing for his team before handing it to the referee, before the game starts.
3.17 Other than the rules and regulations provided within this document, the F.A’s laws of small sided football shall apply.
4. Disciplinary Action
4.1 All fouls and misconduct will be dealt with by the match referee and punished accordingly. The referee’s decision is final.
4.2 Serious misconduct that carries a 35 day or above suspension will be reported to and dealt appropriately by the governing football association and may lead to the individual or team being excluded from this league as well as all types of associated football. At the point the team or player is reported to The F.A their registration to Match Night Limited may be revoked and the team or players may be expelled from the league and never allowed to play in one of our leagues again. Serious misconduct is defined as the following;
Kicking or striking another player – Use of offensive or insulting or abusive language or gestures directed at match officials – Spitting – Head butting – Assault – Refusing to leave the field of play when ordered – Causing a match to be abandoned – Any offences where the offender has also acted in a discriminatory manner for reasons of ethic origin, colour, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation or disability.
4.3 Match Night Limited reserves the right to ban or expel any player or team from the league.
4.4 A team or player can appeal to The F.A regarding a decision made by Match Night Limited. The appeal must be in accordance with the sanctioning Association’s Rules within 14 days of the posting of the decision by Match Night Limited and accompanied by an appeal fee of £25.00 payable to The F.A.
4.5 Any disputes in regard to the score of matches or goalscorers must be made known to Match Night Limited within 7 days of the match being played, otherwise the result and goalscorers stand. If a player is found to be recording goals that he did not score, then that player will be suspended from the golden boot competition for the season and all his goals wiped from the records.
4.6 There are no yellow cards. The following discipline options will be in operation during the match: player shown a blue card and suspended from play for 4 minutes (sin bin) for cautionable offences – player issued with a second blue card in the same match will result in a red card and the player will be permanently excluded from the match - Player issued with a straight red card and permanently excluded from the match.
4.7 Should a team be reduced to 3 players due to red card offences, then the match will be abandoned and the match awarded as a walkover to the opposition (see 5.7 and 5.8), unless the score is greater at the moment the match is abandoned then that score will stand. A team reduced to 3 players due to misconduct is seen as a serious offence. In the case of a match being abandoned then match fees are still owed by both teams and the match will be awarded as a walk over result against the offening team.
4.8 Any team found to be playing a suspended or unregistered player will forfeit the match, and it will be awarded as a walkover (see 5.7 and 5.8), unless the final score is greater. Playing a suspended or unregistered player may also result in the team being deducted points and the team and player being expelled from the league.
4.9 Match Night Limited operate the following tariff of suspensions on offending players. Suspensions will come into effect immediately and will be carried across to a new season where necessary.
|
Offence |
Penalty |
|
Receiving three blue cards within the course of a season |
1 match suspension no fine |
|
Receiving a second blue card in the same match |
2 match suspension |
|
Receiving a straight red card |
2 match suspension |
|
Denying a goal or an obvious goal scoring opportunity |
1 match suspension |
|
Use of offensive, insulting or abusive gestures |
2 match suspension or serious misconduct (rule 4.2) |
|
Attempting to kick or strike another player Serious foul play |
4 match suspension or serious misconduct (rule 4.2) |
4.10 Any player receiving a red card (including 2 blue cards in the same match) will be fined £8.00. A player cannot play until this fine is paid.
4.11 All questions of eligibility, qualification of players or interpretation of the rules shall be referred to Match Night Limited, but no objection relative to the dimensions of the playing area or other appurtenances thereon shall be entertained by Match Night Limited unless a protest is lodged with the referee before the commencement of the match.
4.12 It is the team’s responsibility to control their spectators and any incidents involving spectators will be viewed as a serious offence.
4.13 If a player fails to give the referee their correct name when either issued with a blue card or red card then this will be seen as a serious offence.
4.14 If a player who has been sent off or sin binned by the referee re enters the field of play this will be seen as a serious offence.
4.15 If a team or player is a guilty of consistent ill discipline (blue and red cards) then this will be viewed as a serious offence.
4.16 Any incident Match Night Limited considers to be a serious offence by players or teams my result in the player or team having their registration to the league revoked and never being allowed to play in any of our leagues again. Points may also being deducted from teams for serious offences.
5. Time Keeping and Fixtures
5.1 Teams must be at the pitch and ready to play at least five minutes before their match.
5.2 Match Night Limited may need to rearrange fixtures and reserves the right to do this at short notice.
5.3 There are no excuses for arriving late for a match. If a team is late for a match no extra time allowances will be made. The team arriving late will be penalised a goal for every five minutes they are late. If they are more than 15 minutes late, the match will be cancelled and will be awarded to the team that has arrived, as a walk over (see 5.7 and 5.8).
5.4 Match Night Limited cannot offer to rearrange any matches during the season, including changing kick off times. The only exception is if we are informed before the fixture list is published, in which case we can offer to rearrange one match per season per team. A rearranged match will be played on a future league night and the teams involved will have to play two games on one night – possibly playing two games in a row
5.5 If a team cannot play a fixture they must inform Match Night Limited in advance. The game will be awarded as a walk over result and the team will still be liable for their match fee. The opposition will be refunded their match fee and offered use of the pitch free of charge for the allotted match time.
5.6 If a team does not show up to a fixture without contacting Match Night Limited first the game will be awarded as a walkover to the opposition and the team may have points deducted - plus as well as their match fee they will be fined an additional match fee. This fine may be charged to the credit or debit card which the team will provide at the start of the season.
5.7 In the case of a game being awarded as a walk over, the score will be determined by either the last result between the two teams – be that in the current season or a previous season or 5-0 whichever is most favourable to the opposition. However, the opposition can choose which of these options they would prefer. If the two teams have never played before, the game will be awarded 5-0.
5.8 In the case of a game being awarded as a walk over the goals will be assigned to individual players on a pro rata basis, based on the players’ scoring records during the season. If the walk over is the first game of the season the allocation of goals to individuals will be based on the previous seasons’ records. If there are no past seasons’ records the team captain will decide how to assign the goals.
5.9 Any team that does not show up to a fixture without contacting Match Night Limited first, on more than two occasions in any season may be expelled from the league without compensation. Any match fees or fines due for the remaining season must be paid in full at the time of expulsion.
5.10 If a team withdraws during the course of a season or is expelled from the league, Match Night Limited will make one of the following decisions:
- The team’s results and record will be deleted from the league. For any games that were not played the opposition will be reimbursed the match fee.
- All of the team’s remaining fixtures will be treated as if the team failed to turn up as outlined in 5.6 and 5.8
- A replacement team will be found and will take over the team’s record and fixtures as they stood when the team withdrew or were expelled from the league.
6. Points System
6.1 3 points will be awarded for a win and 1 for a draw. 1 point will be deducted from a team’s points for not showing up to their fixture without informing Match Night Limited first. Teams equal on points at the end of the season will be separated by goal difference, followed by goals scored, followed by aggregated results between the teams in question, followed by a play off. A play off will only be organised if it is to decide a league winner, promotion or relegation. Otherwise the teams will be placed alphabetically.
6.2 Leagues will consist of 4 teams or more and each team will play each other twice. Where there is more than one division a promotion and relegation system will operate. Two teams will qualify for promotion and two for relegation. If a promoted or relegated team does not enter the new season Match Night Limited will decide which team, if any, will replace them.
6.3 In your first season Match Night Limited will decide which division to enter your team. Where possible we will try to match your team’s ability to the right division
7. Payment
7.1 Payment for match fees and registration fees will be made in full before the season starts. Alternatively, match fees can be paid in advance on a monthly or weekly basis.
7.2 If for any reason a team has fees outstanding, the team will not be allowed to play its fixtures and the team will be treated as if it had failed to turn up for a match without notifying Match Night Limited (rules 5.6 and 5.8). In this situation, the team will only be allowed to resume its fixtures once the full season’s fees have been paid, plus any fines.
7.3 If a player is fined for any reason it is the individual’s responsibility to pay the fine not the teams. The individual will retain responsibility for payment of the fine even if he leaves the team. A player cannot play in the league if he or she has an outstanding debt with Match Night Limited. The outstanding debt may also be reported to The F.A and the player prevented from playing all forms of associated football until the fine is paid.
7.4 Any outstanding team debt owed to Match Night Limited is the team captain’s responsibility and measure will be taken to recover it including passing the debt to a Debt Recovery Agency.
8. Other Important Information
8.1 Match Night Limited reserves the right to alter these rules at any time during a season. Any changes will be notified to the team captain in writing and the team captain must make their team aware of the changes.
8.2 As team captain you are required to sign these rules to signify your agreement to fulfil your fixtures in accordance with these rules and to pay for all fixtures. If your team owes fees to Match Night Limited for whatever reason, it will be the team captain who has the legal responsibility for the debt.
8.2 If any accidents occur during play they will be reported to the league coordinator at the venue immediately after the accident. Where no league coordinator is present please report to the referee.
8.3 This is a rolling contractual agreement and will cover this season and every subsequent season your team enter. Therefore you are only required to sign it once and it will cover all future seasons your team agree to participate in.
8.4 If any team is expelled or wishes to withdraw from the league during the course of the season, they will be liable for payment of all remaining match fees including fines incurred for cancellation of matches (see 5.9), unless a replacement team can be found by the team expelled or wishing to withdraw. Full payment of match fees and fines is due immediately at the point the team notifies Match Night Limited they wish to withdraw from the league which must be done in writing, or at the point Match Night Limited notifies the team of their expulsion. Payment may be taken from the team’s credit or debit card.
8.5 If a team wishes to leave the league at the end of the current season, it must give 2 weeks written notice before the end of the current season. The team must fulfil all its fixtures for the current season.
8.6 Trophies will be awarded to the division winners at the end of the season. A maximum of 8 individual trophies will be awarded to the winning team. In the case of a league trophy being presented to the team this must be returned to Match Night Limited. Failure to do so will result in the team being charged for the cost of the trophy. A golden boot and golden glove award will also be presented. If the golden boot is a draw an additional trophy will be provided. If the golden glove is a draw the goalkeeper with the most clean sheets will be deemed the winner - if there is still no clear winner an additional trophy will be provided.
8.7 If a team wishes to change their captain at any stage during the season, this can only be done in writing to Match Night Limited. The request must be dated and accompanied by the signatures of both the former captain and the new captain, along with confirmation that the new captain will accept responsibility to fulfil and pay for all the fixtures as required and agree to abide by the rules and regulations of the league.
8.8 As team captain, you must agree that you and all your players take part in this league at your own risk and accept that Match Night Limited will take no responsibility for injury or loss however caused. The team captain also accepts full responsibility on behalf of his team to fulfil and pay for all fixtures as set out above and agree to abide by the Rules and Regulations of the league.
