RULES | RETAS TORONTO

“REFEREE”: The referee is the authority on the field of play, and their decisions shall be final. They will adopt disciplinary decisions during the course of the match, and those decisions must be respected without protest or discussion. This is without prejudice to the authority of the disciplinary bodies (Disciplinary Committee).

“DISCIPLINARY COMMITTEE”: A disciplinary authority of the SUMMER LEAGUE 2026, responsible for deciding, in the first instance, any disputes arising in connection with the League, in accordance with these Tournament Regulations.

“TECHNICAL STAFF”: The support and assistance personnel of the clubs, composed of those who are registered as such.

“DELEGATE”: The person who assumes representation of the Team. For teams constituted as legal entities, this may be the Legal Representative or an authorized representative. For teams formed by an association of persons without legal status, this may be any Player or member of the Technical Staff.

“REGISTRATION FEES”: The monetary amount that a Team must pay in order to participate in the Tournament. Registration Fees only grant one (1) slot or Right of Participation in the Tournament, regardless of any alliances formed between Teams.

“PARTICIPATION RIGHT”: A Team, provided it meets the registration requirements, fulfills all established financial obligations, and pays the Registration Fees within the corresponding deadlines, shall have one (1) slot or Right of Participation in the SUMMER LEAGUE 2026.

“TEAM”: The group of individuals jointly registered to participate in the SUMMER LEAGUE 2026.

“PLAYER”: Any individual formally registered on the roster of a Team participating in the SUMMER LEAGUE 2026.

“ORGANIZER”: RETAS TORONTO INC, a corporation established under Canadian law, which, together with the individuals and entities with whom it chooses to establish legal relationships, shall oversee the organization and development of the SUMMER LEAGUE 2026. It is the highest authority of the Tournament.

“REGULATION”: This document establishing the guidelines for the development of the SUMMER LEAGUE 2026, which shall be binding upon the Organizer, Players, Technical Staff, Delegates, and each Team.

“TOURNAMENT”: The SUMMER LEAGUE 2026, consisting of qualifying stages, final stages, and each of the matches to be played.

SECTION I - ORGANIZATION AND AUTHORITIES OF THE TOURNAMENT

Article 1. The Organizer shall conduct a soccer competition called SUMMER LEAGUE 2026, in the men’s division for both 11-a-side and 9-a-side soccer, open to any Team that meets the requirements and pays the Registration Fees. By registering and paying the Registration Fees, Teams agree to respect, comply with, and enforce the Regulations, Terms and Conditions, Disciplinary Code, and, in general, all provisions issued by the Organizer.

Article 2. The Organizer exercises supreme authority over the Tournament and shall have the following functions:

Exclusively hold the official representation of the Tournament.
Control and approve the registration of each Team participating in the Tournament.
Approve the match schedule.
Confirm and approve the competition and qualification system.
Appoint members of the Disciplinary Committee.
Regulate the competition system and determine the Tournament venue in each phase.
Provide technical and administrative assistance for the normal development of the Tournament.
Administer the Tournament.
Appoint officials deemed necessary for the proper conduct of the Tournament.
Perform any other functions inherent to its role.
The Organizer reserves the right to suspend and/or cancel the Right of Participation in any phase of the Tournament for any Team that violates the Regulations, Disciplinary Code, Terms and Conditions, and/or any other provision issued by the Organizer.

Article 3. The decisions of the Organizer are binding upon the Team collectively and upon Players individually, as well as upon Technical Staff, delegates, and all persons or entities connected to the Tournament.

Article 4. The Disciplinary Committee will have, among others, the following functions:

Hear, in the first instance, any violations of these Regulations or any other provisions issued by the Organizer.
Impose sanctions established in these Regulations, the Disciplinary Code, and/or other Organizer-issued provisions.
Sanction individual or collective disciplinary offenses committed by Team members, delegates, Technical Staff, and other Tournament personnel.
Perform any other functions inherent to its role or ordered by the Organizer.
Decisions made by the Disciplinary Committee may be appealed in accordance with Article 57.

Article 5. The Disciplinary Committee shall be appointed by the Organizer.

SECTION II - REGISTRATION

Article 6. Any Team that meets the following requirements may participate in the Tournament:

Complete registration within the period established by the Organizer. This period may be modified at the Organizer’s discretion, and any changes shall be properly communicated.
Provide the documentation required in the registration form, including but not limited to:
- Identification document for each Player.
- Proof of health coverage through a Health Promotion Entity (EPS) or equivalent for each Player, Delegate, and Technical Staff member. Complementary health plans, insurance policies, or prepaid medical service documentation may also be accepted.
- If medical attention is required and the Player’s certified medical service does not cover the cost, such expenses shall be the sole responsibility of the Player and/or Team.
- Under no circumstances shall the Organizer or its affiliates be responsible for such expenses.
- Minors registered as part of a Team must present written authorization from parents or legal guardians.
- A signed declaration from each Player individually accepting compliance with the Regulations, Terms and Conditions, Disciplinary Code, and any other Organizer-issued provisions.
Minors registered as part of a Team must present a document showing authorization from their parents or legal guardians to participate in the Tournament.
A signed declaration from each Player, individually agreeing to comply with the Regulations, the Terms and Conditions, the Disciplinary Code, and/or any other document or provision issued by the Organizer.
Complete the registration process in full and pay the Registration Fees.
If, after a Team has been admitted—whether before or during the Tournament—it fails to comply with any of the requirements of the Regulations, the Terms and Conditions, the Disciplinary Code, and/or any other document or provision issued by the Organizer, the Organizer may, at its discretion, suspend and/or revoke that Team’s Right to Participate in the Tournament. The same applies to the expulsion of Players from the Tournament.
Registration and payment of the Registration Fees grant each Team one (1) spot or Right to Participate in the Tournament

Article 7. The registration process shall be carried out as follows:

The Team must register using the form sent digitally to each delegate.
The Organizer shall review the submitted documentation to determine whether the Team is eligible to participate.
The Team, delegate, Player, and/or Technical Staff member fully assume responsibility for the truthfulness of the information provided and the legality of all submitted documents.
Dates established in this article may be modified at the Organizer’s discretion, in which case Teams will be informed in a timely manner.

Article 8. Each Team must register a minimum of fifteen (15) Players and may register a maximum of twenty-five (25) Players. Teams may also register Technical Staff members, although no more than five (5) may remain on the field area at any given time.

Each Team must appoint one (1) delegate who will represent it.

Once the Tournament has started, each Team may register up to three (3) additional Players before the start of Matchday #9. After Matchday #9, unused roster spots shall be forfeited. Each new Player must complete the registration process and pay a fee of $100 per Player.

Only registered Players may be on the field of play. Starting Players and substitutes with their corresponding bench area must remain on opposite sides of the field. If the home Team is on the right side, the visiting Team must remain on the opposite side.
If a Team wishes to have a Player-Coach role, that person must be registered as a Player and not as Technical Staff.

Article 9. The registration form must be signed by each Player and the Team delegate.

Article 10. Players officially registered with a Team may not transfer to another Team. If a Player has participated in even one match, they may not play for any other Team in the League.

Likewise, a Player expelled from the Tournament may not participate with another Team during the same Tournament, in any of its phases, any future edition, or any other Tournament organized by the Organizer.

Article 11. If a Team does not have the minimum number of Players required to begin a match, the match shall be declared a forfeit (W.O.) in favor of the opposing Team (see Article 28), and the Team must pay a financial penalty of $300.

If a Team refuses to start or continue a match already in progress, the match shall be recorded as a 3–0 forfeit loss, and the incident shall be referred to the Disciplinary Committee, which may impose additional sanctions, including expulsion from the Tournament or suspension from future tournaments.

Article 12. Assumption of Risk and Liability

Players acknowledge and accept that participation in the Tournament involves inherent risks, including but not limited to physical injuries, accidents, or health-related incidents. By participating, Players assume full responsibility for these risks. The Organizer, its partners, affiliates, and representatives shall not be held liable—civilly, criminally, or otherwise—for any injury, accident, or damage suffered by Players, whether on or off the field. Players participate entirely at their own risk and are strongly advised to obtain adequate insurance coverage.

SECTION III - TOURNAMENT FORMAT

Article 13. The Tournament consists of two (2) phases (Qualifying Phase and Final Phase), which shall be carried out and governed in accordance with these Regulations.

Article 14. The Qualifying Phase of the Tournament shall, in turn, consist of two (2) stages, as follows:

Group Stage:

Matches in the Qualifying Stage of the 11-a-side Soccer Tournament shall be played in a single group of eighteen (18) teams, following a round-robin format with seventeen (17) matches. The top first (1st) and second (2nd) teams in the group stage qualify as seeded teams and will face opponents consecutively according to the standings table: 1 vs 16, 2 vs 15, 3 vs 14, and so on. The bottom two teams shall be eliminated.

In the event of a tie after 90 minutes in the final stages, regardless of the teams’ standings, matches shall be decided by penalty kicks. The last team, being the worst-ranked in the overall round-robin standings, shall be relegated and may not participate in the 10-a-side winter league of the same year.

Only Players who finished the match may take penalty kicks, and all eligible Players, including the goalkeeper, must take a kick before the order can repeat. If the goalkeeper is injured during the penalty shootout, they may be replaced by one of the Players who finished the match. If a Player becomes injured during the shootout and is unable to take a kick, one Player from the opposing Team shall be disqualified from taking a kick, chosen by that Team’s captain.

Matches in the Qualifying Phase of the 9-a-side Soccer Tournament shall be played in a single group of twelve (12) teams, following a round-robin format with eighteen (18) matches. The top eight (8) teams shall advance directly to the quarterfinals, while the bottom four (4) teams shall be eliminated.

Only Players who finished the match may take penalty kicks, and all Players, including the goalkeeper, must take a kick before the order can repeat. If the goalkeeper is injured during the penalty shootout, they may be replaced by a Player who finished the match. If a Player becomes injured and cannot take a kick, a Player from the opposing Team shall be disqualified from kicking, chosen by their own captain.

Final Stage:

This stage shall be played in a single-elimination format, consisting of one-match rounds including Round of 16, Quarterfinals, Semifinals, and a single Final.

The Quarterfinals shall be contested by the eight (8) teams that qualified from the Group Stage.

In the event of a tie, the winner shall be determined by penalty kicks.

Bracket A: (1st place vs. 8th place)
Bracket B: (2nd place vs. 7th place)
Bracket C: (3rd place vs. 6th place).
Bracket D: (4th place vs. 5th place).

Article 15. The Final Phase shall consist of a single 90-minute match. In the event of a tie, each Team shall take five penalty kicks.

In Final Phase matches, if the score remains tied after regulation time, the winning Team shall be determined by penalty kicks in accordance with FIFA Regulations.
The Final Phase bracket shall follow the structure: 1 vs 8, 2 vs 7, 3 vs 6, and 4 vs 5.

Article 16. If a Team withdraws after its registration has been accepted but before the beginning of the Group Stage, it shall lose one hundred percent (100%) of the Registration Fees, as well as its Right of Participation and eligibility to register for the following year’s competition. The Organizer may replace the Team at its discretion.

Article 17. Withdrawal or Disqualification from the Tournament

The voluntary withdrawal or disqualification of a Team after the Tournament has begun shall result in:

1.1 Loss of one hundred percent (100%) of the Registration Fees.
1.2 Loss of the Team’s Right of Participation in the Tournament.
1.3 Ineligibility to register for the following year’s competition.
1.4 A 3–0 victory awarded to opposing Teams scheduled to face the withdrawn or disqualified Team, according to the official schedule, if no replacement Team is found.
1.5 If a new Team enters, it shall take the same position as the Team that withdrew.

Matches awarded by default due to withdrawal shall not count toward the fulfillment of disciplinary sanctions imposed on Players or Technical Staff members.

The Organizer may, at its discretion, replace the withdrawn Team to ensure continuity of the Tournament.

Article 18. Matches shall be played at venues designated by the Organizer. Only in cases of duly proven force majeure shall the Organizer consider venue changes.

Article 19. If a match already in progress must be permanently suspended due to force majeure, the following rules shall apply:

he match shall resume from the minute in which it was interrupted and with the score at the time of suspension.
The match shall resume with the same Players on the field and the same substitutes available at the moment of suspension.
No additional substitutes may be added to the roster.
Teams may only make substitutions they were entitled to at the time of suspension.
Players expelled before suspension may not be replaced.
Sanctions imposed before suspension shall remain in effect.
The match shall resume with the same game action that was occurring at the time of suspension (e.g., free kick, throw-in, goal kick, corner kick, penalty kick, etc.). If the ball was in play, the match shall resume with a dropped ball at the same location.
The Organizer shall determine the time, date, and venue for the resumption.
Teams shall maintain their field positions; however, if the match resumes on another field, the Referee shall conduct a coin toss.
Whenever possible, the same officiating crew shall resume the match, although the Organizer may appoint another referee crew if necessary, without any right of objection from the Teams.

Article 20. If a match is permanently suspended due to force majeure after seventy percent (70%) or more of the match has been played, the Referee shall declare the match finished with the score existing at the time of suspension.

Article 21. The following shall be considered force majeure grounds for suspension of matches:

Poor field conditions caused by weather, making play impossible or dangerous.
Insufficient natural or artificial lighting.
Lack of security guarantees due to fights or safety concerns on the field.
Spectator invasion of the field of play.
Any other factors reasonably determined by the Referee.

SECTION IV - GAME RULES

Article 22. The rules of play for the Tournament shall be those established by the International Football Association Board (IFAB).

Article 22-A. Direct and Indirect Free Kicks

All free kicks shall be taken in accordance with IFAB Laws of the Game, except for modifications established in these Regulations.
In the 9v9 category, all free kicks shall be direct, meaning a goal may be scored directly from the kick without another Player touching the ball. A throw-in is not considered a free kick; therefore, if a Player shoots directly from a throw-in and nobody touches the ball, the goal shall not count. However, if another Player touches the ball, the goal shall be valid.
The Referee shall indicate an indirect free kick by raising one arm vertically above the head and maintaining it raised until the ball touches another Player or leaves the field.
Opposing Players must remain at least five (5) meters from the ball until it is in play. Failure to respect this distance may result in a caution (yellow card).
Any offense committed by the defending Team inside its own penalty area that would normally result in a direct free kick shall instead be punished with a penalty kick.
Repeated offenses or unsportsmanlike conduct during free kicks may be sanctioned at the Referee’s discretion.

Article 22-B. Kick-Ins, Goal Kicks, and Corner Kicks

Kick-Ins (Side Outs):
- When the ball crosses the sideline, play shall restart with a kick-in taken with the foot.
- The ball must be placed on the sideline at the point where it left the field.
- Opposing Players must remain at least three (3) meters away until the ball is in play.
- The Player taking the kick-in may not touch the ball again until another Player has touched it.
- A goal may not be scored directly from a kick-in.
Goal Kicks:
- Goal kicks may be taken from any point within the goal area.
- The ball is in play once it has clearly left the penalty area.
- Opposing Players must remain outside the penalty area until the ball is in play.
- A goal may not be scored directly from a goal kick; the ball must touch another Player before entering either goal.
- The goalkeeper may not receive the ball directly with the hands from a teammate’s kick-in.
Corner Kicks:
- A goal may be scored directly from a corner kick.
- Opposing Players must remain at least five (5) meters away until the ball is in play.
- The ball must be placed inside the corner arc nearest to where it crossed the goal line.

Article 23. The Organizer shall determine the playing fields and match schedules.

Article 24. Every Team must arrive at the assigned sports venue at least one (1) hour before kickoff.

Article 25. Teams must be on the field, in proper playing condition, at least twenty (20) minutes before the scheduled kickoff time.

Article 26. If, ten (10) minutes after the scheduled start and/or continuation time of a match, one Team has not appeared, the Referee shall record the fact on the match sheet, leave the field, and report the matter to the Organizer.

Unless there are duly proven force majeure circumstances accepted by the Organizer, the absent Team shall automatically be expelled from the Tournament, subject to sanctions for withdrawal or forfeiture, and no goals shall be credited to any Player.

Article 27. If neither Team appears on the field, both shall automatically be expelled from the Tournament. Additionally, neither Team may participate in the same Tournament, any of its phases, any future edition, or any other Tournament created and organized by the Organizer.

Article 28. A match may not begin with fewer than seven (7) Players per Team in the 11-a-side Tournament or fewer than five (5) Players per Team in the 9-a-side Tournament. If during the match this number is reduced for any reason, the Referee shall terminate the match, and the reduced Team shall lose 3–0, unless the score at the time of termination is already worse.

Article 29. All Players must be properly registered in the League’s database.

Any Player who is not registered may not participate in matches.

If an unregistered Player participates, the offending Team shall automatically forfeit the match with a score of 3–0.

Article 30. Matches shall have a total duration of ninety (90) minutes, divided into two halves of forty-five (45) minutes each, with a fifteen (15) minute halftime break.

Article 31. Persons not listed on the Team roster may not sit on the bench or remain on the field without the Organizer’s consent.

Article 32. During a match, each Team may make unlimited substitutions. A substituted Player may re-enter the same match, except during penalty shootouts.

Article 33. Only substitute Players (11 Players) and accredited Technical Staff members (3 members), if applicable, may remain in each Team’s technical area.

Article 34. Based on match results, the following points system shall apply:

Three (3) points for a win.
One (1) point for a draw.
Zero (0) points for a loss.

Article 35. Ties on points during the Group Stage, regardless of Tournament phase, shall be resolved by strictly applying the following criteria in order:

Best Fair Play score.
Goal difference in all Group Stage matches (goals scored minus goals conceded).
Greatest number of goals scored in all Group Stage matches.
Greatest number of goals scored in matches between the tied Teams.
Draw conducted by the Organizer.

Article 36. The Fair Play scoring system shall be as follows:

Yellow Card: minus ten (-10) points.
Red Card: minus twenty (-20) points.
Expulsion of delegate, assistant, or coach: minus fifty (-50) points.
Expulsion for physical aggression against any Player, referee, coach, or league member: minus one hundred (-100) points.
Racism / Discrimination (with proof from the referee, coordinators, or Organizer): minus two hundred (-200) points.
Expulsion for verbal aggression: minus twenty (-20) points.
Penalty for delaying the start of a match: minus twenty (-20) points.
Championship expulsion for excessive negative score: when a Team reaches minus one thousand five hundred (-1,500) Fair Play points, it shall automatically be eliminated from the Tournament.

Article 37. Sanctions for infractions involving yellow and red cards shall follow these rules:

A Player sent off for receiving two (2) yellow cards in the same match shall be suspended for the following match.
A Player sent off with a direct red card shall be suspended for one (1) following match, unless the offense warrants a more severe sanction.
Based on the referee’s report, the Disciplinary Committee may increase the sanction.
Any Player expelled for physical aggression (fighting), according to video evidence and referee reports, shall be expelled from the Tournament.
Sanctions described herein shall apply regardless of the Tournament phase and shall not be canceled between the Group Stage and Final Phase.
Players or support staff serving suspensions may not sit on the substitute bench or remain on the field.
If a suspended Player participates in a match, the Team shall automatically forfeit the match 3–0, even if it had won on the field.

SECTION V - UNIFORMS

Article 38. Each Team shall use a uniform whose colors must be reported to the Organizer on the day the final Player list is registered.

Teams are required to be properly uniformed, including numbered jerseys, shorts, and socks of the same color.
All Players must wear shin guards; any Player without shin guards may not participate.
If two Teams wear colors that may cause confusion during the match, the Organizer shall provide rental uniforms, and the Referee shall conduct a draw to determine which Team must wear them.

Article 39. Players’ jerseys must display visible numbers on the back. Numbers made with tape, adhesive strips, or similar materials are not permitted.

Article 40. No Player may play wearing a jersey number different from the one assigned on the registration list submitted to the Organizer. The number must match the referee’s match sheet prepared approximately thirty (30) minutes before kickoff, and may not be changed during the match. No more than one (1) Player may wear the same jersey number in a match.

Article 41. Failure to comply with the provisions of the preceding articles may result in forfeiture of the match by the offending Team with a score of 3–0, and/or loss of the Right of Participation, depending on the seriousness of the violation and at the discretion of the Disciplinary Committee.

SECTION VI - CENTRAL AND ASSISTANT REFEREES

Article 42. The Referee is the supreme authority on the field of play. Their decisions regarding technical refereeing matters and match results are final.

The facts stated in the referee’s report are presumed true. However, evidence to the contrary may always be presented.

Article 43. Central Referees shall be appointed by the Organizer.

Article 44. Referees may not be challenged by participating Teams. Exceptionally, when a Team presents evidence of possible incompetence or bias by a Referee, the Organizer may independently consider the proposed challenge.

Article 45.

Complaints related to the actions of Referees must be submitted in writing within forty-eight (48) hours after the match in question, accompanied by supporting documentary evidence and signed by the complaining Team’s delegate.

Such complaints shall be resolved, in the first instance, by the Disciplinary Committee, which shall primarily use the Organizer’s video recordings of the match in making its decision.

It should be clarified that once a match has ended, goals may not be annulled nor match results modified.

Article 46. The Organizer shall provide the Referee with match sheets and reports for each match. The Referee’s signature shall serve as prima facie evidence of everything recorded therein, including:

Full names of the Players and Technical Staff participating for each Team, along with jersey numbers and identification numbers.
Names of the competing Teams, field, kickoff time, delays or waiting periods, goal scorers, cautions, expulsions, substitutions, and any other match actions deemed relevant by the Referee.
Names of the Referees.
A clear and concise report of match details and incidents, including the conduct of Players, Teams, spectators, and Technical Staff relevant for disciplinary decisions.

Article 47. The match sheet must be delivered by the Referee to the Organizer immediately after the match or upon suspension of the match, if applicable.

If the Referee suffers illness or injury preventing them from starting or continuing the match, the order of succession shall begin with assistant referee one.

SECTION VII - ECONOMIC REGULATIONS

Article 48. Each Team must pay the full Registration Fee to the Organizer before the start of the championship, with a maximum deadline of May 1, 2026, in accordance with the procedure described in these Regulations.

All payments must be made using payment methods authorized by the Organizer and accompanied by proof of payment, which must be sent to the Organizer by the Team Delegate.

All Registration Fee payments are non-refundable, except if the Tournament is canceled by the Organizer before it begins.

Failure to pay the full Registration Fee within the established deadline shall result in loss of the Team’s Right of Participation, and the Organizer may replace the Team at its discretion.

Article 49. Each weekend, the Delegate of each Team shall be responsible for paying the Match Fee, which includes field and refereeing costs. Payment must be made in full before the start of the match.

The match shall not begin until both Teams have fully paid the required amount. If one Team fails to pay the Match Fee and leaves the venue, the Team that completed payment shall be declared the winner by a score of 3–0.

All Teams must retain proof of payment of Match Fees.

If a Team repeatedly fails to meet its financial obligations (on two or more occasions), the Organizer may impose disciplinary or administrative sanctions, including revocation of the Team’s Right of Participation and/or suspension from future tournaments organized by RETAS Toronto Inc.

Participating Teams assume responsibility for the conduct and actions of all Players and Technical Staff members.

Article 50. Cash prizes awarded to Teams for any Tournament competition shall be delivered on the official awards date, either in cash, bank transfer, or check.

Article 51. Economic Penalty System for Cards

Each yellow card shall result in a $15 fine. Each red card shall result in a $30 fine.
All fines must be paid within seven (7) calendar days following the Tournament match in which the card was received.
Failure to pay within the deadline shall result in an additional penalty equal to 50% of the original fine amount for each week of delay, and the Team may be suspended from future matches until payment is completed.
A Player who receives three (3) consecutive yellow cards shall be suspended for one (1) match, and a Player who receives five (5) accumulated yellow cards shall also be suspended for one (1) match. These sanctions shall reset during the Final Phases. Starting from the Round of 16, the count begins again.

SECTION VIII - CLAIMS AND TECHNICAL & DISCIPLINARY MEASURES

Article 52. All matters related to claims and/or disciplinary infractions arising during the Tournament shall be governed by the provisions of the Disciplinary Code via the email Retasmanagement@protonmail.com.

Article 53. A claim shall be understood as any request seeking the annulment of a match or a decision regarding the allocation of points different from the result recorded by the Referee on the match sheet.

This possibility does not exclude the authority of the Disciplinary Committee to review and investigate, on its own initiative, any action occurring during the Tournament.

Article 54. Claims based on technical errors or errors in judgment by the Referee shall not be accepted.

Article 55. Once the champion and final standings have been declared, no claims shall be accepted. Likewise, claims submitted outside the deadlines established in the Disciplinary Code and/or the Regulations shall not be accepted.

Article 56. The Disciplinary Committee has the authority to sanction individual or collective disciplinary infractions committed by members of participating Teams, Referees, and, in general, all affiliated or registered Tournament personnel.

Affected parties may file an appeal against such sanctions according to Article 57.

Article 57. Appeals

Any Player, Team, or affiliated personnel may file an appeal against decisions or sanctions issued by the Disciplinary Committee under Articles 4 and 56.
Appeals must be submitted in writing within forty-eight (48) hours after notification of the decision or sanction.
Appeals must be addressed to the designated Appeals Committee and include all relevant supporting evidence.
The Appeals Committee shall review the submission and issue a decision within seventy-two (72) hours.
The decision of the Appeals Committee shall be final and binding.
Filing an appeal does not automatically suspend enforcement of the original sanction unless expressly granted by the Appeals Committee.

Article 58. All Players must be registered in the League’s database, which shall be periodically verified by the organization. If irregularities regarding a Player’s registration or participation are detected, the offending Team shall automatically forfeit the match with a score of 3–0.

SECTION IX - OFFENSES AND SANCTIONS

Article 59. Violations of the rules of the game and/or these Regulations shall be sanctioned in accordance with the Disciplinary Code and these Regulations.

Article 60. For the application of sanctions, only officially scheduled and actually played matches shall count, including those officially won by default or by forfeiture (W.O.) during the same Tournament and across all phases.

Article 61. The Disciplinary Committee and/or the Disciplinary Commission, on their own initiative and if deemed appropriate, may take any decision considered necessary for the proper and fair development of the Tournament, in accordance with the principle of promoting competition.

SECTION X - ETHICS, CONDUCT, AND LEGAL RESPONSIBILITIES

Article 62. Racism, Discrimination, and Offensive Conduct

The Organizer, Teams, and all Participants firmly reject and condemn any form of racism, discrimination, or hate speech, whether verbal, physical, or written, directed at a Player, Team Official, Match Official, spectator, or any other individual.
Any act, gesture, or expression that offends the dignity of a person or group on the basis of race, color, ethnic origin, nationality, religion, gender, sexual orientation, or any other personal condition or belief will be considered a serious offense.
If a Player, Team Official, or spectator commits such conduct:
- The Referee may immediately stop or suspend the match, and the case will be referred to the Disciplinary Committee.
- The Team involved may face sanctions including forfeiture of the match, loss of points, expulsion from the Tournament, and/or exclusion from future competitions organized by RETAS Toronto Inc.
- The individual offender may be subject to a minimum suspension of three (3) matches, or permanent expulsion in serious cases.
Any Team tolerating or failing to control discriminatory behavior by its members or spectators shall be jointly responsible and subject to disciplinary sanctions.
The Organizer reserves the right to report incidents of racism or discrimination to the competent local authorities.
A penalty of minus two hundred (-200) points shall apply for proven infractions.
Sanctions may only be imposed with evidence from the Referee, coordinators, or Organizer.
Cases shall be reviewed immediately, and decisions shall be final.

Article 63. Ethics (Spectator Conduct)

All spectators are expected to demonstrate respect, fairness, and sportsmanship at all events.
Harassment, verbal abuse, threats, or disruptive behavior directed toward Players, coaches, referees, or other spectators are strictly prohibited.
Referees, coordinators, and organizers may issue warnings, remove individuals from events, or apply sanctions to affiliated Teams in case of violations.
Repeated or serious infractions may result in suspension or permanent banning of spectators from league activities.

Article 64. Privacy (Player Data)

The League shall collect, use, and store personal information of Players, coaches, and volunteers solely for purposes directly related to league operations (e.g., registration, team assignments, communication, and event management).

Consent must be obtained before collecting, using, or sharing any personal information.

All personal data shall be securely stored and protected against unauthorized access, disclosure, alteration, or use.

Requests for access, correction, or deletion of personal information shall be handled in accordance with applicable privacy and data protection laws.

Article 65. Media (Image Rights)

By registering for the Tournament, Players (and, where applicable, their legal guardians) grant the Organizer permission to capture and use photographs, videos, or recordings taken during league activities for promotional, informational, and archival purposes.

The Organizer agrees to use all audiovisual material responsibly, respecting the dignity, privacy, and safety of participants.

Participants may withdraw consent in writing at any time; however, previously published material shall not be affected.

Unauthorized use of images or recordings by third parties without the Organizer’s approval is prohibited and may result in sanctions.

SECTION XI - MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

Article 66. Advertising Compliance

Participating Teams are fully obligated to respect and comply with the advertising requirements established by the Organizer.

Failure to comply may result in sanctions, including but not limited to fines, point deductions, or warnings, as determined by the Organizer.

Article 67. Administrative and Technical Matters

Cases involving administrative or technical matters not expressly regulated in these Regulations shall be resolved solely at the Organizer’s discretion.

Teams or personnel seeking resolution of such matters must submit a formal written request to the Organizer within the established deadlines.

SECTION XII - VAR

Article 68. VAR System Usage

The VAR system shall be used throughout the entire 11v11 championship and only during the Final Phases in 9v9.
Each Team captain may request a maximum of two (2) VAR reviews per match. Once both requests have been used, no additional requests may be made during that match.
Only the Team’s Head Coach is authorized to formally request a VAR review from the main Referee.
VAR reviews may only be requested in the following situations:
- Goal / no-goal decisions
- Penalty decisions
- Direct red card incidents
- Mistaken identity
The Referee retains full discretion to accept or reject any VAR request if deemed inappropriate or untimely.
All VAR requests must be made before the next restart of play.

SECTION XIII - INJURIES AND LOSS OF TIME

Article 69. Injuries During the Match

If a Player is injured during a match, they must immediately leave the field to receive medical attention outside the playing area. If necessary, stretcher-bearers or other Players may assist in removing the injured Player.
The Player may only return once the Referee is satisfied that appropriate medical treatment has been received.
Refusal to Leave the Field: If the Player refuses to leave, the Referee shall issue a direct red card.
Expulsions: Any Player receiving a red card must immediately and without argument leave the field of play.
- If the Player refuses or causes a disturbance after a warning from the Referee, the offending Team shall automatically forfeit the match with a score of 3–0.
Time lost due to injuries shall be added at the Referee’s discretion.

Article 70. Player Safety and Fair Conduct

All Players must maintain fair play during injury situations.

Deliberate obstruction, aggressive play, or fouls committed against injured opponents shall be sanctioned in accordance with the Disciplinary Code.

This provision applies together with Article 12 (Participation at One’s Own Risk and Responsibility) to reinforce safety obligations.

Article 71. Official Ball

Each Team is responsible, at the beginning of each match, for presenting an official match ball that complies with regulations, regardless of brand, and is suitable for play. If a Team fails to provide a ball, it shall receive a $50 sanction.

SECTION XIV - DELEGATES’ MEETING – APPROVED CHANGES

Article 73. Changes Approved by Delegates on April 25, 2026

For the 11-a-side league, prizes shall be:
- Champion = $25,000 cheque
- Runner-up = $9,000 cheque
For the 9-a-side league, prizes shall be:
- Champion = $9,000 cheque
- Runner-up = $3,000 cheque
The Fair Play prize for both leagues shall be a $2,000 cheque and will only be awarded once all Teams have played the same number of matches.
Goals scored during penalty shootouts do not count toward the top scorer standings.
If a Team wins by W.O., the losing Team forfeits 3–0, but no goals shall be credited to any Player.
All Players must appear in the team photo at the beginning or end of the match for the match to count toward attendance records. Players not appearing in the photo shall not receive attendance credit.
A Player who is expelled shall not receive attendance credit for the matches they are suspended from, even if they attend the venue.
Players must appear in at least eight (8) photos to be eligible to play in the Final Phases.
A Player receiving three (3) consecutive yellow cards shall miss one match. A Player receiving five (5) accumulated yellow cards shall also miss one match. Yellow card counts reset at the start of the Final Phases.
All Teams have a roster sheet allowing a maximum of 25 Players, and until Matchday 9 they may add up to 3 additional Players at a cost of $100 each.
A Team arriving incomplete and unable to play must pay $300. If nobody from the Team arrives, the Team loses by W.O. and shall be eliminated.
Any Player who plays even once for a Team may not participate with another Team until the next championship.
If a Team is expelled for a fight or mass brawl, Players left without a Team may not play for another Team in the League during the same season.
In cases of physical aggression, the Player shall be expelled from the championship or banned from the League, and the Team shall receive a $150 financial sanction.
Each Team is responsible for presenting an official match ball at the start of each match. Failure to do so shall result in a $50 sanction.
If two Teams are eliminated for any reason, the remaining scheduled matchdays shall be replayed with the Teams still participating in the championship.
If a is eliminated and no longer attends matches, the opposing Team must still pay the corresponding referee fee of $320 and may use the field for a friendly match or training session.

SUMMER 2026

GENERAL REGULATIONS