IFA LEAGUE Rules and Management 2009/2010
ver 1.1 13/09/09
Rule
1. IFA League Rules / Management
1.1
The League Structure, Second Teams, Number of Games.
1.2
League Season Dates
1.3
Reporting Of Games / Results
1.4
League Table / Point Scoring
1.5
League Table Hosting
1.6
Tournament Hosting
1.7
Discipline of Teams
Rule
2. IFA Game Rules - Guidelines For All Teams
2.1
Arranging Games
2.2
League or Friendly, Number of Players, Duration of Game
2.3
Eligible Players
2.4
Referees / Officials
2.5
Regional Leagues / IFA KO Cup
2.6
Racism, Racist Abuse and Pro-Diversity
1.1
The League Structure
The
IFA League is open to any bona fide Internet side. The IFA League is
open to one team per each participating club. The IFA reserves the
right not to accept a team into the IFA League.
1.1.1
Second Teams
Any
participating club wishing to enter a second team must first seek the
permission of the IFA Committee. A player must complete the entire
season playing for the same team (ie A or B) there will be no
switching between teams. Where a club has two teams in the league
they may only play friendlies against each other.
1.1.2
Number of Games
The
IFA League structure for season 2009/10 is based upon teams playing a
maximum of 20 games
1.2
League Season Dates
The
IFA league season starts on 27th July 2009 and ends on 18th
July 2010.
1.3
Reporting Of Games / Results
IFA
League games must be advised to the IFAWorldNET Yahoo Group prior to
them being played by the previously agreed format and following the
game results likewise must be emailed to the IFAWorldNET Yahoo Group
within 28 days of the fixture being played. The agreed format for
sending results is as follows. It is important that the date is
included in the message. To
ensure that we spot results please send them in the subject field as
follows e.g. [RESULT Sheff Wed 0-15 Sheff Utd 01/04/10]
1.4
League Table / Point Scoring
Points
are allocated by the 'agreed' format of teams receiving 3 points for
winning a match, 2 points for drawing a match and 1 point for losing
a match. The league table is sequenced by Points, Goal Difference,
Goals Scored and otherwise alphabetically. Teams can only be played
twice for league purposes (see rule 2.2 for the exception in
Scotland).
1.5
League Table Hosting
1.6
Tournament Hosting
Teams
may host their own tournaments; they will get NO additional points
for doing so. Tournaments should be open to all (within geographical
constraints), they should be advertised in advance on the list.
Tournament matches will not be classed as League fixtures.
1.7
Discipline of Teams
It
is the responsibility of the team to ensure that all team managers,
players and supporters follow the agreed standards of behaviour both
on and off the field. In the case of on the field activities it is
expected that team managers / captains will remove the offending
players from the field of play for the remainder of the game period.
This is no place for hotheads. People wishing to behave in such
manner should seek their entertainment elsewhere. Teams have agreed
to be responsible for their own team’s actions so therefore there
will be no need for any intervention by the IFA League committee.
There will be no warnings on behaviour; if the committee feel the
need to act they will do with Draconian effects to sides. This should
not happen because you are all going to get on with it in the spirit
it deserves.
Rule
2 IFA Game Rules - Guidelines For All Teams
2.1
Arranging Games
Matches
are normally proposed via email between team organisers, 2 to 3 weeks
in advance. Typically the home team organiser will invite the away
team to play in the morning on a day when their supported clubs are
playing each other in the afternoon, or where the away team's
supported club is in the area that afternoon. Organisers will then
canvas their respective mailing lists for available players, and if
both receive enough interest then the proposed match will go ahead.
2.2
League or Friendly, Number of Players, Duration Of Game
The
option of whether games are classified as IFA League games or
friendlies is normally by agreement of both sides. Where teams are
playing the same opponents for the third time with two 'League' games
already counting it will automatically be deemed a friendly.
The exception to this rule will be in Scotland where (because of the
nature of the Scottish League system) teams may play each other three
times for IFA League points with a fourth and any subsequent games
automatically being deemed friendlies.
A game cannot now be a League game for one side and a friendly for
the opposition. All games will be deemed League games unless
specifically requested to be excluded from the table in advance.
Friendly games are to be encouraged to help sides develop especially
for new sides.
(see
also Rule 1.1.1 above Where a team has two teams in the league they
may only play friendlies against each other.)
2.2.1
Minimum Number Of Players
The
minimum number of players is eight to qualify as a game. Any team
turning up with less than 8 (or indeed not turning up), 30 minutes
after the tie is due to start, will automatically forfeit the game.
You can then play a mixed friendly.
2.2.2
Duration Of games
The
game must be the full 90 minutes, unless (due to extenuating
circumstances) both teams agree to shortening the game. We would say
minimum is 35 minutes each way with both teams agreeing to this and
they must include full details of the truncation in the reporting of
the result.
2.3
Eligible Players
Players
selected to play in IFA League games must be list members. The use of
"Ringers", ie non-list members, is frowned upon. The IFA
League recognises that in exceptional circumstances, (eg where a team
would otherwise have to pull out on the eve of a match or
tournament), organisers may have no alternative other than to use one
or two non-list members in order to meet their commitment to play. In
such circumstances, the IFA League will not seek to penalise a team.
However, if in the opinion of the IFA, an organiser has given
preference to "ringers" over list-members in a deliberate
attempt to improve the quality of his team, then this will be
punishable with a points deduction. The IFA League may make random
enquiries on mailing lists during the course of the season to insure
that competing team organisers have given all list-members regardless
of ability, every opportunity and encouragement to play. The use of
players on loan from other mailing list teams is encouraged. This
helps to foster relations between teams and encourages the
inter-mingling of fans, which is what Internet football is all about.
2.4
Referees / Officials
Internet
football is renowned for the friendly spirit in which matches are
played. Although we do not specify a qualified referee, the use of
one allows players to concentrate on the game and for the game to
progress smoothly. In the absence of a qualified referee, where both
teams have a full complement of players and substitutes, each team
will referee a half each. Players are reminded that such referees
will make mistakes but will have made an honest decision. Dissent is
unnecessary and in contradiction to the spirit in which games are
normally played. Common sense and honesty is called for on behalf of
the players in order to assist the referee. Without linesmen, a
referee is not going to be able to make a split second, fractional
offside decision. It is generally accepted that only "very
obvious" offside decisions can be given, and where there is no
referee of any description, it is not feasible to play the offside
rule.
2.5
Regional Leagues / IFA Cup
The
growth of proposed 'regional' Leagues and the commitment to the IFA
Cup is to be encouraged and should complement the national League.
Games played subject to 'regionalised rules' where possible should be
allowable for inclusion in the main League table. IFA Cup games are
to count towards the League if teams request it.
2.6
Racism, Racist Abuse and Pro-diversity
Any
incidence of racism or racist abuse will not be tolerated under any
circumstances. It is EVERY participant's duty to ensure that the
teams and individual participants are not subject to any form of
racism or racist abuse. We gladly welcome all participants regardless
of race, religion, gender or sexual orientation. Any participant or
team that fails to extend this welcome to their fellow participants
is not welcome at any of our other activities.
Barbaraville 12th September 2009
