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Winter League – Playoffs Rules

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1. Payments Before the Match (send on Friday if possible)

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Each team must pay the full game fee + a $50 deposit before the match begins.

No match will start without payment.

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Deposit / Game Fee

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• The $50 deposit will be used to cover any cards received during the match.
  If the match ends and no cards are given, the deposit will be returned.

• Teams must arrive at least 40 minutes before kickoff to pay and prepare.

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Late arrival or refusal to pay

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• If the match is delayed more than 10 minutes while the other team is ready and has paid, the match will be forfeited 3–0 by the offending team.

• The only exception for starting later will be when a team is still finishing another match, in the case of clubs that have two teams participating in the league.

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2. Registered Players

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• All players must be registered on the official team roster before the match.

• If a non-registered player is detected, the match will be recorded as a 3–0 loss for the offending team.

• To avoid problems, player lists will be checked before the match begins.

• Once the match has started, no complaints will be accepted, unless the organization identifies a player who is not on the roster.

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3. VAR Review

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VAR may be used for:

• Penalty decisions (confirm or cancel)

• Red card incidents or reviewing whether a red card is justified

• Illegal goals, if the ball did not fully cross the goal line or a foul leading up to the goal in the build up play

All Players must remain a minimum of 10 feet away from referee during Var reviews.

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4. White Card – VAR Review Request

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Each team has 2 white cards per match.

• They may only be used after the play has ended and the ball is stopped.

• Requests cannot be made while the game is in progress.

• Once used, white cards are not returned, regardless of the result of the review.

No player other than the team captain can request a var review by presenting a white card prior to the start of the next play.

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5. Proof Requirement

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Disciplinary actions require evidence:

• Seen by the referee or field delegate, or

• Recorded on camera

If no proof exists, the original decision will stand.

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6. Harm to Other Players

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Any player who intentionally harms another player off the ball will be banned for the remainder of the Winter League and the upcoming Summer League.

The offending player’s team may also be at risk of elimination from the tournament.

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7. Referee Authority & Communication

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• Verbal abuse toward the referee = Red Card (at the referee’s discretion)

• Entering the field without permission = Yellow Card

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8. Serious Fouls

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Serious foul play or violent conduct will result in a Red Card.

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9. Red Card Compliance

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Players who receive a red card must leave the field immediately (within 30 seconds).

Refusing to leave or showing violent behavior toward the referee or organization will result in:

• Player removed from the tournament, and

• $100 fine to the team

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10. Respect Toward League Staff

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• Any aggression, insults, or disrespect toward the league owner or staff will result in an automatic ban for the rest of the league.

• Any concerns must be discussed respectfully after the match.

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11. Injured Players

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If a player is injured but able to stand, they must:

• Be substituted immediately, or

• Use the stretcher to leave the side of the field

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12. Cameras & Restart Protocol

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• No one should approach the cameras during a VAR review.

• Players entering this area will receive a yellow card.

• If the camera view is blocked, the referee’s decision will stand.

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13. Uniform & Player Safety

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• No jewelry, chains, earrings, or non-sport glasses are allowed on the field.

• All players on a team must wear the same jerseys and the same color shorts.

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14. Tie Advantage Reminder

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Teams that finish 1st and 2nd in the standings will have the advantage in case of a tie until the final.

All matches not involving the 1st or 2nd place teams will go directly to penalties, with 5 kicks per team.

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15. Team & Fans Position Before the Match

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Both teams and their supporters must stand on opposite sides of the field before the match begins.

This rule is applied to maintain order and prevent conflicts between teams and spectators.

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Thank you for your cooperation and commitment to fair play. Let's enjoy a competitive and respectful playoffs!