Official rules

These are the Official Rules for the Corporate Fútbol League (CFL).

The spirit of this tournament is to create a sense of community and integrate everyone in a proactive and positive way.

These rules are designed to enhance the experience for our teams and players, ensuring a fair, safe, and exciting environment for all.

Game
Rules

1. Match Setup

1.1 Equipment:

Artificial turf cleats (turf shoes).
Shin guards (mandatory) and long socks (exception granted for this tournament).
Uniforms must have visible numbers, with matching shorts and socks.
If both teams wear similar colors, a coin toss will determine which team uses the tournament bibs.

1.2 Players and Delegates:

Players on the field: 6 (including the goalkeeper).
Substitutes allowed: Maximum of 8.
One non-playing delegate is permitted per team in the substitutes’ area.

1.3 Registration and Punctuality:

All players must register with the match delegate and confirm their number before playing.
Grace Period: 10 minutes. If a team fails to show up:
- They lose 3-0 by default.
- The goals are awarded to the captain of the present team.

2. Match Duration

2.1 Match Length:

Two halves of 25 minutes with a running clock.
A 5-minute halftime break.

2.2 Time-Out:

Each team is allowed one (1) time-out per half, lasting 1 minute.
The referee will stop the clock during the time-out.
Time-outs will be deducted from the halftime break if used.

3. Substitutions

Unlimited substitutions are allowed.
Substitutions can only occur in the designated area and with the referee’s approval.

4. Restarts

No throw-ins; restarts are taken with the foot.
Sideline Restarts:
- The ball must be placed on the line for the restart.
- Minimum distance for opposing players: 3 steps.
- Exceptions will be discussed beforehand with captains and referees.

5. Goalkeeper Rules

5.1. Use of Hands:

Goalkeepers may only use their hands within the penalty area.
Cannot handle the ball if it comes from a deliberate pass from a teammate’s foot or legs.
Handling is allowed if the pass is made with the head or chest.
Goalkeepers cannot handle the ball directly from a teammate’s throw-in.

5.2. Timing and Restrictions:

Goalkeepers may play the ball with hands or feet after catching it.
Goal kicks must be taken with the hands and cannot touch the ground before being played.

6. The Four-Second Rule

6.1. For Goalkeepers:

The goalkeeper must release the ball within 4 seconds while in their own half.
Failure to do so results in an indirect free kick for the opposing team.

6.2. For Set Pieces:

Restarts (sideline kicks, corners, and free kicks) must be taken within 4 seconds.
Failure to comply results in an indirect free kick for the opposing team.

7. Restarts and Set Pieces

7.1. Goal Kicks:

Must be taken with the hands.
A goal cannot be scored directly from a goal kick.
The ball can be played to any area on the field.

7.2. Penalty Kicks:

Taken from the penalty spot closest to the goal.
Maximum of 3 steps for the taker (impact counts as one step).
The goalkeeper has free movement within their area during the penalty.

7.3. Free Kicks:

Direct Free Kicks: Awarded for major fouls.
- If a wall is requested, the referee will ensure a distance of 5 steps.
- Players advancing the wall prematurely will receive a yellow card.
Indirect Free Kicks: Awarded for technical infractions.
- A goal will not count if the ball enters the net without touching any player.

8. Fouls and Conduct

8.1. Accumulated Fouls:

After the 6th foul in a half:
- A direct free kick without a wall will be awarded from the second penalty mark (10 meters) or closer if the foul occurred inside the 10-meter area.
Foul counts reset at halftime.

8.2. Sliding Tackles and Challenges:

Sliding Challenges:
- Defined as a player going to the ground to recover the ball from an opponent.
- Not allowed under any circumstances and will result in a yellow card.
Sliding Interceptions:
- Permitted to block passes or shots as long as no risk is posed to opponents.
- Players must maintain a 1-meter distance from opponents when sliding.

8.3. Sanctions:

Yellow Card: Warning for unsporting behavior, offensive language, or repeated infractions.
Red Card: Immediate expulsion. The team plays with one less player for the remainder of the game.
Double Yellow Card: Results in expulsion, but the player may be substituted by a teammate.
- Direct red cards result in a one-game suspension.
- Players sent off for two yellows can play the next match.

9. Tiebreakers

In knockout stages, ties will be decided by:
- A penalty shootout (5 penalties per team, followed by sudden death if still tied).
- Penalty takers can be freely selected from registered players.

10. Authority and Discipline

10.1. Captain’s Authority:

Only the captain may speak with the referee.

10.2. Referee Decisions:

All referee decisions are final and cannot be contested.

10.3. Zero Tolerance Policy:

Physical or verbal aggression will result in immediate expulsion (red card) and further disciplinary action.

Tournament
Rules

1. Tournament Format

Competition Structure:
- The tournament consists of a round-robin league with 8 teams.
- After the league phase:
  - The top 4 teams play semifinals and a final for the CFL Champion Title.
  - The bottom 4 teams play semifinals and a final for the Silver Cup Title.
- This ensures every team has the opportunity to compete until the end.
- Both semifinals will determine 3rd and 4th place for each bracket.
Teams:
- Total number of teams: 8.
- Single category: No divisions by age or skill level.

2. Classification

Points System:

Win: 3 points.
Draw: 1 point.
Loss: 0 points.

Tiebreaker Criteria:

Goal difference.
Head-to-head result.

3. No-Show or Withdrawal

No-Show Policy:

Teams must notify the organizer 72 hours in advance to avoid penalties.

If notice is given within 72 hours:

The team loses 3-0.
If no notice is given and the team fails to appear:

Team Withdrawal:

If a team withdraws:

Matches already played will stand.
Remaining matches will be awarded as 3-0 wins to the opposing teams.

4. Conduct and Penalties

Yellow Card:

A yellow card serves as a warning for unsporting behavior, dissent, or repeated infractions.
Accumulation of yellow cards will not result in suspension from subsequent matches.

Red Card:

A red card results in the player being immediately sent off, and their team must continue with one less player for the remainder of the match.

Players receiving a red card will not miss the next match, except under the following conditions:

Instigating Conflict or Unsportsmanlike Actions: If the red card is issued for actions like instigating fights, verbal abuse, or highly unsporting conduct, the player will be suspended for the next match.
Physical Aggression or Direct Provocation: If the red card is due to physical aggression (e.g., hitting, kicking, or similar actions) or direct provocation of violence, the player will be suspended for the remainder of the current league edition.

Zero Tolerance for Violence:

Any physical aggression or direct provocation will lead to an immediate red card and a full league suspension.
Such actions are against the spirit of the tournament and will be dealt with severely to ensure a safe and respectful environment for all participants.

5. Roster and Substitutions

Roster Limits:

Minimum players per team: 8
Maximum players per team: 16

Player Registration:

New players can be registered until the last round-robin match (Round 7).

Roster Modifications:

Rosters remain open during the league phase.

6. Schedules and Punctuality

Late Arrival:

If a team arrives within the 10-minute grace period, the match duration, including halftime, will be adjusted to fit the schedule.

Match Schedule:

Matches will follow fixed schedules, published in advance.

Repeated Delays:

3 repeated delays result in a -1 point deduction in the standings.

7. Results and Statistics

Publication of Results:

Results and statistics will be available on the official website: FCnoise.com/cfl and shared via the official newsletter.

Statistics Tracking:

Teams may request full tables (e.g., scorers, cards, standings) at any time during the tournament.

8. Weather and Rescheduling

Adverse Weather or External Factors:

If a match cannot be played due to weather or other circumstances:

The match will be rescheduled for the next available date.
Organizers will determine the new schedule within the week.

9. Sponsorship and Uniforms

Team Sponsorship:

Teams may include sponsor logos on their uniforms.

Uniform Approval:

No design approval is required.

10. Administrative and Procedural Rules

Absences and Penalties:

Teams must notify 72 hours in advance of any absences.

Penalties for no-shows:

Notify within 72 hours: 3-0 loss.
Fail to show without notice: 8-0 loss and -3 points.

Roster Violations:

Teams violating roster or registration rules:

Lose all affected matches by 8-0.

Delegate Responsibility:

Team delegates are fully responsible for the behavior of players and supporters.

11. Cancellations and Refunds

Refund Policy:

There are no refunds for withdrawals before or during the tournament.

12. Disputes and Resolutions

Protests and Complaints:

A Tournament Council will handle disputes, composed of:

The 8 team captains and the organizer.
Decisions require 6 of 8 votes to pass (75% agreement).
In case of a tie, the organizer has the final decision.

13. Awards and Recognition

Team Prizes:

CFL Champion:

$1,000 prize.
Championship trophy.
Medals for all finalists in the Champion bracket.

Silver Cup Champion:

Recognition medals for the winning team.

Individual Prizes:

Symbolic awards for outstanding individual achievements:

Top Scorer: Player with the highest number of goals in the tournament.
Best Defense: Awarded to the team with the fewest goals conceded.
MVP of the Tournament: Recognizes the player who best embodies the values of the CFL, including sportsmanship, leadership, and promoting the love for fútbol.

Final Match Event:

A special awards ceremony will take place after the finals to honor all champions, finalists, and individual award winners.