Rules of Play
Masters Summer League (MSL) “Football fives” Junior Playing Rules & Regulations
Competition
The Football Fives competition usually involves seven rounds plus finals. Semi-final and final draw will be notified to participants following completion of the rounds. Trophies/medals awarded to winning team and participants.
Points and finals
Win: 3 points, Draw: 1 point, Loss: 0 points. No bonus points, ranking will be based on goal difference, followed by most goals scored. Top 4 format semi-finals, no extra time or penalty shoot if drawn after full time. Grand final will go to penalty shootout if drawn after extra time.
Evening play/Kick off times
Each evening of competition will commence about 5.00pm. Please note that depending on the number of teams and competitions allotted times may vary. Teams cannot request to play a particular time slot as this effect all other teams. Times will be randomly allocated and spread as evenly as possible. Teams must start play at the scheduled kick off times notified to them.
P&D (Yellow cards, red cards)
Players will receive yellow and red cards as per regular FIFA rules (including dangerous or reckless tackling, foul and abusive language, professional fouls, persistent fouls or any violence directed at any other player or official). If a player accumulates more than 5 yellow cards, they miss the next game. This includes semis and finals.
If a player receives a red card- Football Fives disciplinary committee will notify player of suspension length depending on the report and the nature of the incident. (All red card recipients will have a 1-week min suspension)
Teams accumulating more than 10 yellow cards, or 3 red cards will be deducted 2 points and entry into future Football Fives competitions may not be permitted.
Pitch
Size of pitch is approximately 37m x 20m. (Smaller goals will be provided for U6 and U7 teams.)
Referees
Verbal or physical abuse of a referee will not be tolerated. Any player abusing a referee will be sent off and suspended. That player’s team may, at the competition manager’s discretion, get points deducted for the behaviour. Team’s spectators who verbally abuse or threaten a referee will result in a 3-point deduction for the team.
Registration Checks
Teams are required to submit a team sheet and give to referee before the start of each game. The team sheet will list the name of player (printed), his or her shirt number next to their name and photo of the player next to their name. This is now compulsory. Only registered players may enter the field of play.
Unregistered Players / players used from other teams / transfers
Teams playing a disqualified, unregistered player or a player from another team automatically forfeit the game and may be fined $100. If it happens twice teams will be banned from the competition. Teams must not interchange players. If teams use players from another team and found guilty risk losing any points received for that game. If it happens twice, they may be expelled from the competition. You can register new players up until the 4th round, so don’t risk it. Teams can only borrow players from other teams once they declare a forfeit so a friendly can be played. Please note players can register for more than 2 teams but must pay the additional registration fee.
Players that have registered for a team but have not completed payment will not be allowed to play until full registration fee is paid.
Player registrations are not transferable. If a player can no longer play for any reason their registration fee cannot be transferred to a new player.
Forfeit
Forfeited games result in 3 points being credited to the non-forfeiting team. The forfeiting team may be fined $60 for the forfeit (if Masters Summer League is not notified 24 hours before kick-off); failure to pay may result in expulsion from the competition, without refund.
Teams forfeiting 3 times will be expelled from the competition, without refund. So, if your players are unreliable, register more! Football Fives may expel any team that forfeits 3 games without valid cause. No refunds will be paid to teams expelled or withdraw from the competition.
Expulsion/withdrawal
Masters Summer League reserves the right to expel or suspend Players or Teams involved in any sort of on or off field violence, including verbal abuse or assault of officials- without any refund. Serious violence will be reported to the police. Players or teams expelled will not be allowed back into the competition.
Team Withdrawal
If a team withdraws from a competition, all previous games played against this team will be nullified (win, lose or draw). No refunds will be paid to teams expelled or withdrawn from the competition.
Wet Weather
Due to being an outdoor event, games may be cancelled due to Weather. Note there a no catch up rounds allocated, so unfortunately the cancelled round will not occur.
Cancelled rounds
If any of the junior rounds are cancelled due to wet weather the round will not be replayed.
Lightning
In spring and summer we sometimes have thunderstorms and lightning. If lighting is too close while games are on, we will stop all games and ask all players and spectators to take cover. We ask people to take cover in their cars. If play is suspended for more than 30 minutes, all remaining games will be called off.
Player Numbers
Each squad is to comprise at least 5 players and a maximum of 12. Teams to field 5 players including a goalkeeper for each game. Goalkeeper is to wear a shirt coloured different to outfield players. Teams will be permitted to commence play with not less than 3 players and bring on any late arriving players after kick off. Games will not be delayed for teams short of players waiting for their players to turn up.
Substitutes
Unlimited provided replacement does not enter play until player being replaced has left field. To be taken from halfway at orange flag
Footwear
Boots with moulded studs only; players bladed studs or with screw-ins or metal studs will not be allowed to play. Touch football trainers or “grass cats” are acceptable. Officials will check footwear before every game
Shin pads
Shin pads must be worn; this is not negotiable. Players will be asked to leave the field if they are found not to be wearing shin pads
Uniform/Kit
Teams to field players wearing same colour shirts and must be numbered. Numbers must match the numbers provided in original team registration form. Teams will not be allowed to play unless shirts are numbered. Bibs provided when colours of opposing teams similar. Teams must provide an updated registration sheet if shirt numbers and their allocations change. If a player does not have a number, the opposing team will receive 1 goal at the start of play. For clarity, if more than one player in a team does not have a number, the max point penalty is 1 goal.
Balls
The MSL will provide one size 4 game ball per game.
Bibs
Teams are required to provide their own bibs for use if colour clashes occur.
Goals
Goals are erected and weighted to the ground on each field by the MSL.
Game duration
The timekeeper or referee starts, and finishes play in all matches. Teams must be on the field on time as the match will commence on time
- Under 8-12. Each game will start at the scheduled time, any delays will result in a shortened game length. Each game 40 minutes in duration with 20 minutes played in each half. 2 minute half time break
Entering the playing Field Spectators, coaches, substitutes, or suspended players are not allowed to enter the field of play under any other circumstances other than described below. We take this very seriously and may throw teams out if this happens! A substitute can come onto field to replace another player and must only come on from the centre where the flag is placed. A substitute or coach can attend to an injured player.
Bad Language
We do not tolerate bad language used in our competitions and teams and their spectators who have continued to use excessive bad language have not been accepted back into the competition. Referees will caution players for using excessive bad language. Referees will report on team’s spectators who continue to use bad language. Teams will lose points if they or their spectators use inappropriate or bad language.
Code of Conduct
All players coaches and spectators associated with a team must read and at all times conduct themselves in line with the MSL code of conduct. If teams are guilty conducting themselves in a manner that contravenes the code of conduct- the team could get suspended or expelled from the competition.
Rubbish
Please put all your rubbish in the bins provided, especially tape and empty drink bottles.
playing surface rules
• No Metal Spikes
• No smoking
• No chemicals
• No chewing gum
Covid Safe
Masters Summer League are dedicated to keeping parents/caregivers, children and staff safe during the COVID-19 pandemic during the 5 A side league This involves minimising the risk of contracting or spreading the virus. With this in mind, we have developed new policies and procedures based on the information and guidelines provided by the Australian Government, the Victorian State Government & Football Victoria. This incorporates the latest advice as announced by Daniel Andrews on the 18/10/2020.
· Our organisers will be sanitising all equipment before and after each Game; equipment sharing will be kept to a minimum
· There will be hand sanitizer available at the entry point of the venue. We require that each person attending and leaving sanitize their hands.
· Game start times will be staggered to avoid congestions
· Spectators will not be allowed to form groups of more than 5 people and will be required to social distance (1.5metres apart)
· Good hygiene is always to be practiced, with signage posted to remind all attendees of these practices.
· Strictly ONE parent or carer per child
· Any person exhibiting signs of illness will not be allowed to attend the program; organisers will be allowed to ask a family to leave if they feel a child / carer is unwell