Rules - United Africa Premier League

Rules

2020 Unity CUP

RULES & PROCEDURES

VERIFICATION OF RULES & PROCEDURES

UNITED AFRICA PREMIER LEAGUE – USA RULES

All information about the league can be found on www.uapsl.com. 720 262 8698

All league communications will be on the website, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Email and WhatsApp,

Games will be played in the following:

Denver

Aurora

During team meetings, the majority (Teams) that attend the meetings will be considered as a vote. We encourage all teams to attend meetings.

SECTION ONE

Coaches/Players Registration

Registration Form will be found on the website or League administrators will send the link to all team officials.

Players can transfer to another term by the following: Mutual consent between both teams.

A written letter regarding the reason for the transfer if one coach does not want to release the player from their team.

or if the team they (players) were playing on is not competing in the new season and the players and former team has good standings from previous seasons

Registration will reopen mid-season.

Discretion of the administration

Players cannot transfer teams during mid-season registration.

An unlimited number of players can be registered at this time but only 18 will be dress to play.

All players and coaches must register in their official Names to receive their player pass/ lanyard or be on the roster.

If coaches want to be a player coach, they will need to also register as a player and will receive a player pass.

All players, Coaches and Other officials must have a profile photo before they are allowed to play or coach.

Players without a profile photo will not be allowed to play, there will be no exception to the rule.

All Registration fees owed will have to be paid before the season starts.

SECTION TWO

Teams will be on one side.

3 officials/Players: If the teams have more official, they can only have 4 on the bench with the players.

Officials- head coach, assistant coach allowed to stand during the match.

The remaining 2 officials must sit on the bench and have a guest lanyard.

ALL guest lanyards must be returned to administration after each match.

If otherwise notified, we will only allow 18 registered players on the bench.

If administration need to remove an outside agent, they will notify the coach or assistant coach for them to assist with the removal (forfeit/fines and suspension may apply to the team if they refuse to take action)

SECTION OTHREE

Spectators will sit on the other side.

NO spectator or unregistered official on any team bench, if found the team will forfeit that game

Teams will need to have home and away jerseys.

Dark is home.

Light is away.

SECTION FOUR

Match cards will have home and away listed.

The league will keep track of goal scores, yellow and red cards.

Will be updated match result by mid-week after every match.

Every player will need a jersey and a number.

If there is no number, they cannot play.

Shin guards are MANDORTY.

No Jewelry

7 subs NO re-entry

They can make subs anytime.

Subs must give player pass to the assistant referee.

10-minute grace period

Number of players you started with in the first half, must start the same way in the second half

No one can check in once the referee ends the first half.

All matches will play two 40 minutes (10-minute halftime)

Quarter and Semi-finals two 40 minutes (10-minute halftime)

If tied- kicks from the mark

Finals play two 45 minutes (15-minute halftime)

Tied- two 10-minute overtime.

kicks from the mark.

SECTION FIVE

IFAB (Laws of the game)

Officials will use IFAB (2020-2021) to officiate and to make decisions during the match.

USPAL will follow IFAB to make any decisions.

Point system.

3 points for win

1 for tie

3 points for forfeit plus 3 goals

0 for loss

Tie breaker (system on the website)

Goals scored.

Goals against o yellow cards o Red Cards

If still tie- kicks from the mark will determine tiebreaker

SECTION SIX

GAME DAY

There will be a representative at every match day.

Each team will need to provide one match ball to the match officials.

Each game will have 3 match officials.

If an accident occurs and we cannot replace one of the match officials, we will do a 2-man system

❖ Check-in

Check-in 30 minutes before kicking off.

Players and coaches need to check in at the administration tent before every match to get their players and coaches pass/lanyards.

If there are other staff other than the coach and assistant coach on the bench, make sure they come and check in at the tent to get their lanyard.

18 rostered players need to wear their jersey and have a number.

Must show your player’s pass to an admin or proof of photo on team website.

League officials will be monitoring benches.

It is up to the team staff to make sure the bench is following the rules.

Weather –

lightning must follow city guidelines.

If a game is Postpone due to the weather, reschedule game must be played on Friday before the next scheduled game. That is if the game is cancel you will have to be prepared to play on Friday before the next game – Friday.

we will follow the 15 minutes every strike:

If a strike happens in the first half, we will begin with the second half and match officials will discuss with the admin how much to play in the second half.

If a strike happens in the second half and it passed the 70th minute mark, it will be a complete game.

If it happens in the second half and does not pass the 70th minute mark, admin and match officials will discuss how much more to play.

Rain

We will play if raining but if temperatures drop below 25 degrees, the admin will have to assess the conditions and the safety of the players.

Snow and ice can be dangerous for the safety of the players, and the admin will assess the conditions of the field.

Temperatures 30 degrees we will play.

If temperatures are below 25 without snow- discretion of the admin games will be played unless both or one team does not want to play

If temperatures below 25 degrees with snow- games will be rescheduled

Game will resume with the same players on the field.

Time will be on the officials and administration.

A complete match is 70 minutes.

Water break must be determined before the match.

Time is on the match official.

SECTION SEVEN

APPEALS

If a team has an appeal or dispute a $75 fee needs to be paid before the following looking into the matter

Teams have 48 hours to send an email with a statement.

The administration will respond within 48 hours.

Statement needs to include the following:

Proof of incident

Name of player(s), jersey number(s), and teams

Appeals/disputes can be inputted on the website and emailed to the league administration.

www.uapsl.com go to the tab league and click on our staff.

SECTION EIGHT

FINES AND SUSPENSION

(MINIMUM EXPLANATION FOR RED CARD OFFENSE, UAPSL AND MATCH OFFICIALS WILL FOLLOW IFAB FOR FURTHER ACTIONS)

Player/coach receives 3 cautions consecutively will have to pay $50 to be available to play or coach the next match.

Admin will keep card until fee is paid.

Red card (Referee’s will write a supplementary report)

All red cards reported by the referee shall subject to further disciplinary action with a minimal $75 fine and a minimal 1 match suspension:

2ct- $75 & 1 match suspension

DOGSO- 1 matches suspension

Denying the opposing team, a goal or an obvious goal-scoring opportunity by a handball offence or scoring opportunity to an opponent whose overall movement is towards the offender’s goal by an offence punishable by a free kick.

Holding, pulling pushing, no possibility to play the ball (Law 12)

Violent Conduct- 2 to 3 match suspension

Uses or attempts to use excessive force or brutality against an opponent when not challenging for the ball, or against the following:

Teammate, team official, match official, spectator, or any other person whether contact is made (Law 12)

Serious foul play- 2 to 3 match suspension

Tackle or challenge that endangers the safety of an opponent of uses excessive force or brutality.

Ex: lunges in the front, from the side or from behind using one or both legs with excessive force or endangers the safety of an opponent. (Law 12)

Players changing jerseys will be fine.

Foul and abusive language

Team with fines must pay their fines, Players will not be able to play in other teams unless they pay their individual fines $75

Removal of outside agent

Fighting on and off the field will not be tolerated-

Players will be suspended or banned from the league- discretion of the administration of the length of the suspension with up to $250 and/or ban.

SECTION NINE

Fighting on the field, the referee has the authority to terminate the match resulting in a forfeit for either one team or both.

If both teams are at fault, both will receive 0 points for that match and will not be replayed.

The referee will complete a supplementary report.

A $300 fine will be placed on either one team or both and a ban will be at the discretion of the administration.

Fighting between benches will result in a forfeit and both teams will receive 0 points and the match will not be replayed.

A $150 fine will be placed on both teams.

Fighting between spectator and player

Spectator comes on the field referee terminates the match.

If the referee’s report indicates the player was a victim, the game will be rescheduled without spectators.

If the referee’s report indicates the player played the role of the spectator coming on the field, his team forfeits the match and a $150 fine.

Player goes after spectator the referee terminates the match, match will be replayed but player will be ban from the league and no spectators for the reschedule match.

If fighting is among spectators and interferes with the match the referee has the authority to terminate the match and the match will be replayed with no spectators

Both teams will need to pay a their fine or risk a ban.

Players cannot try or join another team if banned.

The same team that gets into a fight will be suspended for the remainder of the season and/or the following season- discretion of the administration.

Players cannot join other teams for the new seasons.

Referee abuse will not be tolerated.

$500 fine or more- discretion of administration

Suspension for verbal and physical abuse

With a possible ban from the league- discretion of the administration

An unregistered player that plays in the match will receive a $250 fine. Must be paid before the team plays their next match.

Removal of an outside agent will receive a 2-match suspension or ban.

Refuse to leave the technical area.

Refuses to leave and then uses verbal and aggressive language.

If a team is fine but refuses to pay its dues, all players registering with other teams must pay a $75 fine.

All players will be responsible for the game on that day.

SECTION TEN

FORFEIT

If administration need to remove an outside agent, they will notify the coach or assistant coach for them to assist with the removal (already stated but disciplinary actions occur if the following occurs):

If the agent refuses to leave the team’s area, the administration will go to the assistant referee to inform the referee to stop the match but not the clock- we will wait until the agent leaves.

If the agent refuses to leave- the referee can end the match and it will be considered a forfeit- regardless of how much time is left on the match official’s time in favor of the opponent tea,

Continuous disruption from the bench occurs; the discretion of the referee will end the match and the match considered a forfeit plus a fine- regardless of how much time is left on the match official’s time.

Player changing jersey either with someone else or changes to a different number:

Result in a forfeit

Suspension of the player-fine

Discretion of the administration

Illegal player/coach- was caught after the match was played.

Player never checks in

Forfeit and player fine.

Unregistered player

Forfeit and team fine.

Coach approaching and giving instructions to team.

Forfeit and additional fine for the coach plus a point deducted from the team points.

If both teams are at fault result both teams will get 0 points

SECTION ELEVEN

Unregistered Players

Unregistered player- Referee will terminate the game and result will be a forfeit with a team fine or Coach on the touch line giving instructions to the team and a point deducted.

Will be asked to leave, and the game will end in a forfeit.

Player/coach serving suspension.

Must sit out for the full suspension.

Should be at least 100 yards away from the field from kick off to the end of the match.

Cannot go to the teams during half time

They cannot be on the bench with street clothes

Can not be on the spectator’s side.

Cannot go to the teams during half.

If seen on the field the team will forfeit with addition fine for the player/coach serving the suspension

If a team cannot make it to their game, they need to notify the league administrator-schedule 48 hours in advance, or they will be fine, and it will be forfeit.

No show

Fighting

SECTION TWELVE

CHAMPIONSHIP (NEED TO GO OVER)

Location and time will be announced.

Champion will receive:

UAPSL Trophy and medals

$2000.00 + Set of Jerseys (Custom Jersey)

The finalist will receive: 1000.

UAPSL Medals

1000.00

4 match officials

Must check in with Administration 30 minutes before kickoff.

Everyone will need to be properly equipped.

No jewelry

Shin guards

Cleats

Uniforms with numbers

Player cards

5 substitutes with no re-entry

Substitutes check in with 4th official with player card.

The game goes into overtime and each team can make 2 additional substitutes.

Substitution at any stoppage

Match balls will be provided.

SECTION THIRTEEN

Law 12

(Fouls and misconduct)

SENDING-OFF OFFENCES

A player, substitute or substituted player who commits any of the following offences is sent off:

Denying the opposing team, a goal or an obvious goal-scoring opportunity by a handball offence (except a goalkeeper within their penalty area)

Denying a goal or an obvious goal-scoring opportunity to an opponent whose overall movement is towards the offender’s goal by an offence punishable by a free kick (unless as outlined below)

Serious foul play

Biting or spitting at someone

Violent conduct

Using offensive, insulting or abusive language and/or gestures

Receiving a second caution in the same match

Entering the video operation room (VOR)

A player, substitute or substituted player who has been sent off must leave the vicinity of the field of play and the technical area.

DENYING A GOAL OR AN OBVIOUS GOAL-SCORING OPPORTUNITY

Where a player denies the opposing team a goal or an obvious goal-scoring opportunity by a handball offence, the player is sent off wherever the offence occurs.

Where a player commits an offence against an opponent within their own penalty area which denies an opponent an obvious goal-scoring opportunity and the referee awards a penalty kick, the offender is cautioned if the offence was an attempt to play the ball; in all other circumstances (e.g. holding, pulling, pushing, no possibility to play the ball etc.) the offending player must be sent off.

A player, sent-off player, substitute or substituted player who enters the field of play without the required referee’s permission and interferes with play or an opponent and denies the opposing team a goal or an obvious goal-scoring opportunity is guilty of a sending-off offence.

The following must be considered:

distance between the offence and the goal

general direction of the play

likelihood of keeping or gaining control of the ball

location and number of defenders

SERIOUS FOUL PLAY

A tackle or challenge that endangers the safety of an opponent or uses excessive force or brutality must be sanctioned as serious foul play.

Any player who lunges at an opponent in challenging for the ball from the front, from the side or from behind using one or both legs, with excessive force or endangers the safety of an opponent is guilty of serious foul play.

VIOLENT CONDUCT

Violent conduct is when a player uses or attempts to use excessive force or brutality against an opponent when not challenging for the ball, or against a team-mate, team official, match official, spectator, or any other person, regardless of whether contact is made. In addition, a player who, when not challenging for the ball, deliberately strikes an opponent or any other person on the head or face with the hand or arm, is guilty of violent conduct unless the force used was negligible.

SENDING-OFF

Sending-off offences include (but are not limited to):

delaying the restart of play by the opposing team e.g., holding onto the ball, kicking the ball away, obstructing the movement of a player deliberately leaving the technical area to:

show dissent towards, or remonstrate with, a match official or act in a provocative or inflammatory manner!

Enter the opposing technical area in an aggressive or confrontational manner!

Deliberately throwing/kicking an object onto the field of play

Entering the field of play to:

Confront a match official (including at half-time and full-time) o interfere with play, an opposing player or a match official physical or aggressive behavior (including spitting or biting) towards an opposing player, substitute, team official, match official, spectator or any other person (e.g., ball boy/girl, security or competition official etc.)

Receiving a second caution in the same match

Raising offensive, insulting or abusive language and/or gestures

Using unauthorized electronic or communication equipment and/or behaving in an inappropriate manner as the result of using electronic or communication equipment.

Violent conduct

OFFENCES WHERE AN OBJECT (OR THE BALL) IS THROWN

In all cases, the referee takes the appropriate disciplinary action:

Reckless – caution the offender for unsporting behavior.

Using excessive force – send off the offender for violent conduct.

Transfer for player During the Year:

Players are encouraged to stay in their teams during the year registration.

If a player wants to move from a previous team, there will be a transfer fees for each player wanting to

Leave the team during the year period if your team is registered and [played the season and want to play the next season.

Season Year Long Registration: $35.00

Team that registered to play: $100.00. Transfer to a new team

Mid-Season Registration: $40.00

STANDINGS

Point System

3 points for win

1 for tie

3 points for forfeit plus 3 goal

0 for loss

Tie-breaker

Goals scored
Goals against
Yellow cards
Red cards

If still tie- Scheduled kicks from the mark will determine tie-breaker

SCHEDULES AND CANCELLATIONS

Schedule for the league will be posted in a timely manner. Schedules will be posted on www.uapsl.com. If there is a conflict, the league must be notified before the start of competition. Rescheduling will be allowed for the following:

Religious holiday
Countries Independence Day
Weathering- if weather prohibits matches to be played, teams’ coaches/managers will be notified as soon as possible via text message.
Field closures- teams’ coaches/managers will be notified as soon as possible via text message.
If participating in a tournament

GAME DAY

Each match game their will be a representative to answer any questions, disputes, and they will have a copy of every team rosters and a copy of the rules & procedures- as well as the IFAB.

Team check-in: Referees will check in each player for each team with the match report. Match report will be printed each match day with active players listed. Each player must obtain a player pass and must give it to the referee upon check-in.

Number of players: For game day roster 22 players and must all be active. A team must have at least seven eligible players for the match to take place. If a team does not have the minimal eligible players to participate in match, team has 10 minutes grace period from the scheduled time of kick off- team shall forfeit. Forfeit will be reported on match report by the referee.

Substitutions: Each team will have a maximum of 7 for the duration of the match with no re-entry. The following are conditions of when replacing a player will occur:

Referee is informed of substitution and player pass must be given to referee before entry.
Substitute only enters from the halfway line and during any stoppage- players being replace must exit at the nearest touch line (reference IFAB)
Substitute enters once play has stopped and with the referee’s permission- all are subject to the authority and jurisdiction of the referee’s, whether called to play or not.

Duration of Match: League matches shall play two equal halves of forty-five minutes, unless there is a mutual agreement between the referees, the opponents and the representative at the field to shorten halves. This arrangement must be made prior to the start of the match. Halftime will be a maximum of 10 minutes.

Semi-finals: League matches shall play two equal halves of forty-five minutes with a 10-minute halftime. If game is in a tie, kicks from the mark will determine the winner.

Championship: League matches shall play two equal halves of forty-five minutes with 10-minute halftime. If tie- two 10 minutes halves to determine winner. If no winner in overtime, kicks from the mark will be conducted. Substitutes will remain the same except the following:

5 substitutes with no re-entry.
Each team may make 2 additional substitutions with no re-entry.
Substitutions must report to the fourth official with their player pass.

Uniforms and shin guards:

Each team must have a home and away colors. Each player must have a number on the back of the jersey or shorts- if there is no number the player cannot play in the match. Every player must wear their team color shirt, shorts, socks, shin guards and soccer shoes. No jewelry will be allowed unless it is medical.

Home and away:

Teams that are listed first on the schedule online and on the match, report is “Home”- must wear dark uniform and the team listed second are “away”-wear light color uniform. If there is a conflict of colors, the Away team must change.

Team Benches: Both benches will be on the same side and only those whom are registered may sit with the benches. Spectators/outside agency will be on the opposite side of the teams.

CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH

Location and time will be announced a week before the match. On game day, teams will need to arrive 45 minutes before kickoff to check in with a match official and with a administrator. Upon checking in, everyone will need to be properly equipped: shin guards, soccer shoes, everyone has the same color uniform and numbers are visible, and everyone has a player pass. Again, NO JEWELRY.

The winner of the league will receive a trophy and medals for each player and coaches. In addition, winner will receive Cash Price.

A trophy and medals for each player and coach
cash Price

TEAMS CAN DOWNLOAD THE REVISED VERSION OF THE UAPSL RULES - 2024

2022 Team & Player Registration