RULES.
ARTICLE 1: COMPETITION FORMAT
All APL matches are played in accordance with the FIFA/USSF Laws of the Game unless otherwise stated in the competition rules (See Article 7 for more details)
-Each team can field eleven players to start a match (11 vs 11) with a minimum of 7 players allowed and no more than a total of 18 players from a team can participate in a match
-Each match lasts for two equal halves of 45 minutes (plus stoppage time allowed by the referee) with no more than a 10-minute half-time break.
TEN (10) participating teams in each division of the Spring 2022 season. The Premier competition consists of a regular season (qualifying phase) and a top-six playoff to determine the winner. The Championship competition only consists of a regular season.
In regular season, of either competition, each participating team plays NINE (9) matches, weather- and schedule-permitting, with a point system recorded
-The team scoring more goals in a match is the winner. If both teams score no goals or an equal number of goals, the match is drawn
-Three (3) points are awarded for a win, one (1) point for a draw, and zero (0) points for a loss
For the Premier competition, the SIX (6) teams with the highest accumulated points in regular season matches qualify to the competition playoffs and the TWO (2) teams with the lowest accumulated points will be moved to the Championship Division in the following season. For the Championship competition, the top TWO (2) teams will promote to the Premier division in the following season. If two or more teams are equal on points in regular season for either division, the following criteria, in the order below, are applied to determine rankings:
-Higher number of points obtained in regular season matches played among the teams in question (i.e., head-to-head results). This only apply if TWO teams are equal on points
-Superior goal difference in head-to-head games among the teams in question.
-Superior goal difference throughout regular season matches played (i.e., goal difference).
-Higher number of goals scored throughout regular season matches (i.e., goals scored).
-Lowest number of goals conceded throughout regular season matches (i.e., goals conceded).
-Lower disciplinary points total based on yellow and red cards received in all regular season matches (red card = 3 points, two yellow cards in one match = 2, yellow card = 1)
For the Premier playoffs, 3rd through 6th place teams from regular season participate in an initial knockout round (3rd vs 6th & 4th vs 5th) and the winners qualify to the semi-finals to face the 1st and 2nd place teams
-The semi-final pairings are determined by means of a draw (1st and 2nd place teams cannot play each other) and the winners of these pairings advance to the final
-In the playoffs, each matchup consists of a single knockout game. The team that scores the greater number of goals in a matchup qualifies to the next stage of the competition or in the case of the final wins the competition. In the event of a tie at the end of normal playing time in any of the playoff matchups, kicks from the mark decide the winner
ARTICLE 2: REGISTRATION: ROSTERS, GUEST PLAYERS, & LEAGUE WAIVERS
All teams are required to provide an initial roster at the beginning of the season and are allowed to submit an updated roster after Gameweek 4 no later than 11:59pm on SATURDAY (4/9/22) prior to Gameweek 5. For the updated rosters, teams can only replace a maximum of SIX (6) players from their initial rosters
After the updated rosters are submitted prior to Gameweek 5, only ONE (1) Emergency Player Substitution will be allowed at the beginning of playoffs for a $30 fee
The roster should have at least 16 players but no more than 22 players and must specify the name (first and last) and a “UNIQUE” jersey number for every player on the team. Championship team rosters, cannot include more than SIX (6) players rostered in Premier division teams. A maximum of 18 players are allowed to participate in a match
Guest players are allowed (maximum of 3 per match), but only during regular season matches. A $14 guest fee will be applied for every match guest has played.
All players, including guests, are required to sign the league waiver prior to participating.
ARTICLE 3: SCHEDULE CHANGES,CANCELLATIONS, & FORFEITS
Once a season schedule is published to the APL website, no changes will be made unless an unexpected logistical problem arises. The only other exception is weather-related changes
If a match is cancelled for weather-related reasons or unexpected logistical problems, the league will attempt to reschedule the match. If rescheduling is not possible, the league will decide how to score the match. It should be noted that if the first half of a cancelled match (due to weather) was completed, the standing score will be used as the FINAL result
Failure to have the minimum number of players’ show-up (7) will result in a forfeit for that team. Referees will allow a 15-minute grace period from the posted kick-off time to field a team. A forfeit fee of $220 will be levied against any team that forfeits due to lack of participation, which also includes any forfeits communicated with the League Administrator (via text or email) within 72 hours of scheduled kick-off. The fee is to cover the referee costs. The league also reserves the right to take further action (e.g., impose additional fees/fines, deduct points, ban the team from further participation in the league) if a team forfeits more than once or if a forfeit is deemed to significantly affect the competition fairness. Any fees must be collected prior to the team’s next scheduled match
ARTICLE 4: TEAM MANAGER RESPONSIBILITIES AND CONDUCT
Ensure their team plays in the competition until elimination and attempt to field their strongest team throughout the competition
Must set an example of fair, sportsmanlike and polite behavior at ALL times. Managers can be sent off the field or even banned from future games for their misbehavior
Responsible for the behavior of their players, officials, members, supporters and any person carrying out a function at a match on their behalf (e.g., camera man)
Share rules of the competition and any information provided by the league with their teams
PRIOR to EVERY match, communicate to the League Director(s) the colors of the kit their teams plan to wear. When a conflict exists, the away team would have to change their kit unless mutual agreement can be reached with the manager of the home team
Make certain their team rosters are up-to-date and guest players are registered prior to any match per Article 2
Bring an “up-to-date” printout copy of the team roster to every match for the pre-game check-ins, which includes guest player(s) when applicable (write-ins are NOT allowed)
Ensure suspended players do not participate in a match they are banned from (See Article 5 for more details). If a player is found to have participated in a game while they are supposedly suspended, the match is considered a forfeit for the suspended player’s team and a 3-0 defeat is recorded
Accountable for submitting any fee or fine levied against their teams to the league prior to participating in the competition’s next match
DURING a match, only allow a maximum of seven (7) substitute players and any “registered” coaching staff to sit on the bench for their teams. The substitute players are REQUIRED to wear pennies on the bench. All other rostered players or any fans have to sit in the stands. Any team found in violation of these rules will be fined $25
If a team player arrives after the pre-game check-ins with the referees are completed, team managers are responsible for ensuring that team player checks in with the referees during half time
Inform the league if their teams are unable to show up to a game or of any other problems
ARTICLE 5: PLAYER RESPONSIBILITIES, CONDUCT, AND SUSPENSIONS
Players are responsible for fair, sportsmanlike and polite behavior at ALL times
All players are required to bring (or show a digital copy of) a valid government-issued ID to the matches, which will be used to complete the pre-game check-ins with the referees prior to kick-off. In the event that a player arrives after check-ins are completed, they are allowed to enter the field of play at the discretion of the team manager and MUST check-in with the referees during half-time
All players must wear a shirt with sleeves, shorts, socks, shin guards, and footwear. Goalkeepers may wear tracksuit bottoms. The number on the back of a player’s shirt should be unique and correspond to that in the team’s submitted roster
All items of jewelry (necklaces, rings, bracelets, earrings, leather/rubber bands, watches,….etc.) are forbidden and must be removed before any match EXCEPT medical alert bracelets, and those should be taped down if worn
No fighting will be tolerated. Foul and abusive language will not be used on the field either toward other players or to yourself in general. Referees are instructed to card offenders
Referee abuse will not be tolerated. Referee abuse is also defined as a verbal attack or physical approach that implies or threatens physical harm to a referee or the referee’s property or equipment. Verbal threats are remarks that carry the implied or direct threat of physical harm
Yellow cards carry to the next match. A player will receive a one (1) match suspension upon receiving their fourth (4) yellow card in any one season
Two yellow cards in one match results in sendoff from the match, but no suspension from the next match. However, the two yellow cards count toward the player’s yellow card tally
A straight red card carries a minimum of one-game suspension (three-match suspension for unsportsmanlike conduct). Players sent off for racial abuse will be suspended indefinitely. The team manager of the offending player will be notified if the suspension exceeds one match. A minimum fine of $100 will be levied for straight red card offenses associated with violent unsportsmanlike conduct ( including racial abuse/slur) and the team manager is responsible for collecting and paying the fee to the league prior to the team’s next scheduled match. The league also reserves the right to take further action for these misconducts (e.g., impose additional fines, ban a player longer)
Cards reset in the playoffs. They expire on completion of the regular season. However, suspensions as a result of yellow card accumulation or a straight red card in regular season carry forward to the next stage of the competition
ARTICLE 6: REFEREES
Responsible for checking in teams/players and ensuring the field of play is safe prior to any competition match
-Cross check players’ government-issued IDs with the team roster on the league’s website (team managers should bring a printout of their team’s up-to-date roster to every match) – A maximum of 18 players can participate in a match
-Ensure the numbers on the back of players’ shirts are unique and match those in the submitted roster
-Confirm that players are wearing the appropriate protective gear as part of their uniforms (e.g., shin guards) and are not wearing any items of jewelry (except for medical alert bracelets, but those need to be taped down)
-In the event that there are any hazards in the field of play that may affect the safety of the participants, the match officials are to communicate with the league administrator and decide on the best course of action
Have the full authority to enforce the laws of the game in connection with the match and ALL referee decisions regarding facts connected with play are FINAL. FIFA/USSF Laws of the Game are enforced unless otherwise stated in Article 7
Ensure that only registered team officials and a maximum of 7 substitute players are sitting on the bench for a given team and all others are sitting in the stands
Have the authority to perform disciplinary actions against players and any team officials when necessary. This can be as soon as the referee enters the field of play for the pre-match inspection until leaving the field of play after the match has ended
May suspend or terminate a match when necessary (e.g., weather conditions, spectator interference, excessive dissent,…etc.)
Required to send a match report to their Referee Assignor and/or the League Administrator within 48 hours of game completion. The report must include the following:
-The printout of the team rosters provided by the team managers and used for player check-ins
-The home/away participating teams, the game date, the names of the game officials (center and assistants)
-The score of the game along with the names and numbers of the goal scorers, if any
-The names and numbers for team members that received yellow or red cards and the associated misconduct code
-When applicable, a supplemental report describing any instances of referee assault, referee abuse, dismissal of team officials, sending-off offenses, serious injuries, game abandonment or other substantial occurrences
Referees are encouraged and permitted to use headset communication during APL matches.
ARTICLE 7: DEVIATIONS FROM FIFA AND USSF LAWS OF THE GAME
ALL rules/laws prescribed in FIFA’s sanctioning bodies’ rulebooks and USSF Laws of the Game will apply to APL matches UNLESS otherwise indicated:
Law 1: The Field of Play. Local conditions may mandate use of non-standard or sub-optimal fields
Law 3: The Number of Players. Unlimited substitutions are permitted during certain stoppages with previous referee approval
-Both teams may substitute any number of players on a goal kick, during a kick-off (after a goal or in-between periods), during an extended time out (e.g., an injury), or when the referee stops a match to issue a caution or a send-off
-The team in possession of the ball may substitute any number of players on a throw-in or a corner kick. The opposing team may also substitute any number of players if the team in possession chooses to substitute
Law 6: Other Match Officials. The league administration will try its best to provide two assistant referees with the center referee for every game. However, in some instances, this may not be possible. A fourth official is not expected for any game
Law 7: Duration of the Match. Matches consist of two 45-minute halves (plus any stoppage time estimated by the referee) with no more than a 10-minute half time interval
ARTICLE 8: INJURIES
If any players get blood on themselves or on their uniforms, they are expected to leave the field of play and stop the bleeding before re-entering the field of play again. In cases where the players get blood on their jersey, they are encouraged to put on a replacement, if available, before re-entering the field of play to minimize any chance of disease transmission
If any players leave the field of play for suspected head injuries, they may re-enter the field of play at their own discretion and that of their team manager (and any medical personnel present) but are fully responsible for such a decision and neither the match officials nor the league are liable at this point
ARTICLE 9: Promotion/Relegation
Bottom two teams get relegated to Championship
Championship league winner gets promoted
Championship playoff winner must win a play-in game against a team of APL’s choosing (team from outside APL) in order to be promoted
If Championship league winner and Championship playoff winners are the same, there will be no 2nd team from Championship promoted
B teams cannot get promoted. If a B team acquires the promotion spot or the play-in game, APL decides the 2nd team that joins Premier (can be a team outside of APL)