Competition Rules

The current FIFA laws for all GFSN League and Cup competitions apply, with only one alteration: rolling substitutions are permitted.

It is assumed that all players have a basic knowledge of the rules, however a summary can found on the FIFA website. It is the responsibility of all players to ensure they read and understand these rules in advance.

There are also policies that the league has in place, to protect teams, players and integrity of the league.

Number of Players and Substitutes

The match is played by two teams of not more than eleven players, one of whom is the goalkeeper. A match cannot start if either team consists of fewer that seven players.

Substitutes

All GFSN League and Cup matches permit a maximum of seven substitutes. Rolling substitutions are permitted; a player who has been replaced may later return to the field.

Any of the players may change places with the goalkeeper provided that the change is made during a stoppage in the match and the referee is informed.

The Player’s Equipment

A player must not use equipment or wear anything that is dangerous to himself or another player. The appointed referee reserves the right to ask a player to remove any jewellery, or any other item (s)he deems unsafe.

A player’s basic compulsory equipment includes shinguards, which must be covered entirely by the stockings.

Each goalkeeper must wear colours which distinguish him from the other players

The Referee

The decisions of the referee regarding facts connected with play are full and final. The referee may only change a decision on realising that it is incorrect and provided that he has not restarted play.

A referee may not alter any decisions after the final whistle.  This includes reversing any decision on yellow/red cards.

The GFSN League fully supports The FA’s “Respect” campaign. Abuse of referees will not be tolerated and any such instance of abuse of referees will be treated severely by The GFSN League.

The Duration of the Match

A GFSN League match lasts two equal periods of 45 minutes. Allowance is made in either period for all time lost through substitutions, assessment of injury to players, removal of injured players from the field of play, wasting time or any other cause.

A GFSN Cup match also lasts two equal periods of 45 minutes. Should a cup match be tied after 90 minutes, extra time shall be two equal periods of 15 minutes. Should the game remained tied, a penalty shoot-out will determine the winner.

Each team will be permitted 5 penalties, followed by ’sudden-death’ penalties if the scores are still tied.

Pitches

The home team should book a suitable natural grass pitch for each fixture.

If the weather gives cause for concern, an alternative all-weather pitch should be booked as a contingency, but may be cancelled in advance to avoid undue costs.

The GFSN recommends that where the weather over that weekend gives serious cause for concern, the all-weather pitch should become the PREFERRED venue. On the day of the game, if a grass pitch is available and playable, the home team can excise the right to use whichever venue they choose.

Abandonments & Postponements

A match must endeavour to be played or finished wherever possible, however the safety and welfare of players is paramount to the league. The referee is the sole judge of whether any tie is abandoned.

If a game is abandoned, and 59 minutes or less has been played, the game must be replayed*. The location of the replay will be decided by the League Committee, with the date to be agreed between the two competing sides.

If a game is abandoned on or after the 60th minute (i.e. more than two-thirds), the game will finish and the current scoreline will be taken as the final result.

There will be no recourse or appeal regarding any abandonment.

(*) if both teams reach an agreement not to replay an abandoned fixture, the scoreline at the time of the postponement will stand.

Age

In line with the English FA, the minimum age for players is 16. It is the responsibility of the team concerned to gain parental consent of any player under the age of 18 years.

There is no maximum age limit.

Mixed Teams

Male and female players are permitted to take part in league and cup games.

The majority of players in the league are male, however the away team should contact their opposition if they have any female players who require a separate changing room.

Misconduct

Referees may issue yellow and red cards, with the following sanctions to be applied:

• On receiving a red card the player leaves the field of play. The player will serve a one match ban, applicable to the next GFSN League or Cup match.
• On receiving two yellow cards in the same match the player receives a red card and leaves the field of play. The player will serve a one match ban, applicable to the next GFSN League or Cup match
• On receiving three yellow cards in one season, the player will serve a one match ban, applicable to the next GFSN League or Cup match.

Violent Conduct

The GFSN League will not tolerate any form of violent conduct.

If a player is sent off for violent conduct, the GFSN League reserves the right to investigate the seriousness of the incident and, if necessary, hold a disciplinary meeting to decide whether any further sanction[s] are required.

A disciplinary meeting/discussion will consist of no fewer than three representatives from three separate GFSN clubs. The league secretary will chair the meeting/discussion, but will not have a vote on any decision(s).

The meeting/discussion will only permit representatives from teams who were not present at the match in question.

There is no appeal or recourse in any decision made by the league managers.

Referees

It is the responsibility of the home team to arrange the services of a qualified referee.

If the services of a qualified referee cannot be secured, a comptetent volunteer may be used with the prior approval of both teams and the league secretary.

Teams are to identify referee training opportunities, with a view to each region having a least one qualified referee in subsequent seasons.

Referees must be be fully conversant with our rules.

Costs

The costs of hosting a game (these being pitch hire, changing facilities and referees) to be met entirely by the home team, the burden of travel costs falling to the visiting team.

The cost of providing refreshments or buffet may be collected fairly from all home and away players and supporters.

Non-Fulfillment

Where a team cannot turn up with 11 players they should seek postponement of the game at least one week in advance.

Where a team arrives on the day with less than 11 players, individuals may be borrowed from the other team to ensure an 11 v 11 match takes place - players must not be coerced into switching teams.

If an away team fails to turn up for a fixture without any notice, the team will be deducted 3 points and will be liable for all the costs incurred by the home team organisers. In this case the home team to be awarded a 3-0 home win (3 points plus 3 goals)

League Table - How It Works

Where two teams are tied on points, the highest place team shall be decided via the following order:

1. Better Goal Difference
2. Most Goals Scored
3. Fewest Goals Conceded
4. Most Games Won
5. Head-to-head result

Applications

Teams wishing to join the league are advised that the deadline for applications is 30th April for inclusion the following season starting September.

Prospective teams are encouraged to make contact with other established league teams to arrange friendlies.  There is currently a “benchmark” for new teams to play at least five 11-a-side friendlies in the 12 months preceding an application. THREE of those friendlies must be “away” from home.

Priority is given to those teams who have played friendlies and proved to the current league managers that their ethos is inkeeping with the values and aims of the league.