Laws Of The Game
The Laws of the Game have been extracted from the official FIFA and FA rules handbook and then amended to suit the conditions of play for the Dubai women’s football league.
1. The Playing Area / The Game
The preferred surface is Grass. The next best alternative is Astroturf.
Size of Pitch: A smaller than regular size pitch will be used. Minimum: (L) 70m x (W) 50m. Maximum: (L) 75m x (W) 55m.
Penalty Area / Goal Area: 8m diameter of the semi-circle from the centre of the goal.
Penalty Mark: 7.3m (8 yards) from the goal line opposite the centre of the goal.
Halfway Line: The field of play is divided into two halves by a centre mark. It is indicated at the mid-point of the halfway line.
Goal Size: (W) 5m x (H) 2m. The distance between the posts is 5m and the distance between the lower edge of the cross bar and the ground is 2m.
2. The Ball
The ball should be size 5. The ball must be pumped sufficiently.
3. Number of Players
Each team consists of up to 7 players, one of whom is a goalkeeper.
A match may not start if either of the teams has less than 5 players. If the minimum number of players (5) is not met within the first 10 minutes of the match, the match is forfeited and a loss of 3:0 will be recorded against the offending team. If at some point during the match the minimum number of players is not met then the match is forfeited and a goal difference of 3 is maintained in the score recorded, unless by this time there is a greater goal difference in favour of the remaining team and in this case the result stands.
Any number of substitutes may be used at any time with the permission of the referee. Entry into the field of play will only be allowed during a stoppage in play and once the player being replaced has left the field of play. A player who has been replaced may return to the playing area as a substitute for another player, i.e. rolling substitutions.
No player is allowed to play for another team, other than the team they have been officially registered to, even if it is to add sufficient numbers to another team. No player poaching from other teams in the league is permitted.
4. Playing Equipment
Players must wear their team strip and shin guards which must be fully covered by the football socks. The goalkeeper must wear a different or distinguishing playing strip from the outfield players. In the event that 2 teams have similar coloured strips in a game, the ‘Away’ team according to the DWFA match fixtures is required to wear football bibs. Each team should provide their own set of bibs.
Players must not take the field wearing jewellery of any sort. This includes earrings, necklaces, rings, bracelets, anklets and body piercing.
The goal nets must be affixed correctly before the start of any match.
5. Referees
The Authority of the Referee
Every match is controlled by a referee who has full authority to enforce the Laws of the Game in connection with the match to which they have been appointed.
Powers and Duties of the Referee
- Enforces the Laws of the Game
- Controls the match
- Ensures that the ball (Law 2) and playing equipment (Law 4) meets the requirements
- Stops, suspends or terminates the match, at their discretion for any infringements of the Laws or because of outside interference of any kind
- Stops the match if, in their opinion, a player is seriously injured and ensures that they are removed from the field of play
- Ensures that any player bleeding from a wound leaves the field of play
- Allows play to continue when the team against which an offence has been committed will benefit from such an advantage and penalises the original offence if the anticipated advantage does not ensue at that time
- Takes disciplinary action against players guilty of cautionable and/or sending-off offences
- Takes action against team officials (coach/manager) who fail to conduct themselves in a responsible manner and may, at their discretion, expel them from the field of play and its immediate surrounds
- Ensures that no unauthorised persons enter the field of play
- Ensures that parents / supporters are not behind the goals and that each team occupies the sidelines, one team on each side of the pitch
- Restarts the match after it has been stopped
- Records the match score and indicates the reason for any offences on the match sheet
- Informs the Committee if he/she cannot attend the match that he/she has been appointed to.
Decisions of the Referee
- The decisions of the referee in all cases are final and no appeals will be entertained under any circumstances. If it is felt by the referee that this has not been adhered to, then the situation will be reviewed by the referee(s) and the DWFA Committee; action will be taken against the player or coach.
- The referee may only change a decision realising that it is incorrect or, at his/her discretion provided that play has not restarted.
Referee Equipment
- Whistle
- Stop Watch
- Red and yellow cards
- Pad and pen
- A referee kit (shirt, shorts and socks)
6. Timekeeper / Scorer / Assistant Referee (non applicable)
7. Duration of the Game
Playing Time
25 minutes each way with a 5 minute half time interval.
Team Compliance
Teams must adhere to the stated kick-off times. Team talk before a match should be completed 5 minutes before the kick-off time. Any team that has not taken the field 10 minutes after the specified kick-off time shall forfeit the game and a loss of 3:0 will be recorded against the offending team. If the early kick-off (i.e. 19.30) starts late, it will be timed to finish in time for the late kick-off (i.e. 20.30).
8. Start and Restart of Play
Procedure
A kick-off is taken at the centre point of the playing area to start or restart the game and after a goal has been scored, opponents must be 4.5m (5 yards) away from the ball and in their own half of the field. The ball is in play as soon as it is touched and moves. This means the ball can move in any direction. A goal can be scored directly from a start or restart of play.
Special Circumstances
A dropped ball to restart the match after play has been temporarily stopped inside the penalty area takes place on the penalty area line at the point nearest to where the ball was located when the play stopped.
9. Ball In and Out of Play
The ball is out of play when:
- It has wholly crossed the goal line or touch line whether on the ground or in the air
- Play has been stopped by the referee
The ball is in play at all other times, including when:
- It rebounds from a goal post, crossbar or corner flag and remains in the field of play
- It rebounds from the referee when they are on the field of play
10. Method of Scoring
Goal Scored
A goal is scored when the whole of the ball passes over the goal line, between the goalposts and under the crossbar, provided that no infringement of the Laws of the Game has been committed previously by the team scoring the goal.
Competition Rules
The competition is run on a league basis with 3 points for a win, 1 point for a draw and none for a loss. The highest total points at the end of the season is the winner. In the event of a tie at the end of the season, the following shall be the order of precedence; (1) goal difference, (2) highest number of goals scored, (3) aggregate score between the games between the tied teams. If this is still a tie then a winner will be decided by a play-off match between the two tied teams.
11. Offside
There is no offside.
12. Fouls and Misconduct
A direct free kick is awarded to the opposing team if a player commits any of the following offences in a manner considered to be careless, reckless or using excessive force:
- Kicks or attempts to kick an opponent
- Trips or attempts to trip an opponent
- Jumps at an opponent
- Charges an opponent
- Strikes or attempts to strike an opponent
- Pushes an opponent
- Stamps on the opponent
A direct free kick is awarded to the opposing team if a player commits any of the following offences:
- Tackles an opponent to gain possession of the ball, making contact with the opponent before touching the ball
- Holds an opponent
- Handles the ball deliberately (except for the goalkeeper within her own penalty area)
- Plays in a dangerous manner
- Impedes the progress of an opponent
- Prevents the goalkeeper from releasing the ball from his/her hands
- Commits any other offence, not previously mentioned in Law 12, for which play is stopped to caution or dismiss a player
Penalty Kick
A penalty kick is awarded if any of the above offences is committed by a player inside her own penalty area, irrespective of the position of the ball, provided it is in play.
An indirect free kick is awarded to the opposing team from the penalty area line if the goalkeeper:
- Touches or picks up the ball again with her hands after it has been released from her possession and has not touched any other player
- Touches or picks up the ball with her hands after it has been deliberately kicked to her by a team mate
- Touches or picks up the ball with her hands after she received it directly from a throw in taken by a team mate.
A direct free kick is awarded to the opposing team if the goalkeeper:
- Touches the ball outside the penalty / goal area.
The goalkeeper is allowed outside the penalty area / goal area.
Cautionable Offences
A player is cautioned and shown the yellow card if she commits any of the following seven offences:
- Is guilty of unsporting behavior
- Shows dissent by word or action
- Persistently infringes the Laws of the Game
- Delays the restart of play
- Fails to respect the required distance when play is restarted with a corner kick or free kick
- Enters or re-enters the field of play without the referee's permission
- Deliberately leaves the field of play without the referee's permission
Sending Off Offences
A player is sent off and shown the red card if she commits any of the following seven offences:
- Is guilty of serious foul play
- Is guilty of violent conduct
- Spits at an opponent or any other person
- Denies the opposing team a goal or an obvious goal scoring opportunity, by deliberately handling the ball (this does not apply to a goalkeeper within her own penalty area)
- Denies an obvious goal scoring opportunity to an opponent moving towards the player's goal by an offence punishable by a free kick or penalty kick
- Uses offensive or insulting or abusive language and/or gestures
- Receives a second caution in the same match
Any player sent off must leave the field of play and cannot return. Refer to the Disciplinary Actions for further notes on Discipline.
13. Free Kicks
For all free kicks opponents must be 4.5m (5 yards) from the ball, as opposed to the normal 9.1m (10 yards).
14. Penalty Kicks
A penalty kick is awarded for offences, as described in Law 12.
Position of the Ball and the Players
All penalty kicks are taken from the ‘top’ of the penalty area (semi-circle). All players except the defending goalkeeper and kicker must be outside the penalty area and at least 4.5m (5 yards) from the penalty mark.
Infringement / Sanctions
If a player or players commit an offence at the taking of a penalty kick her team shall not be allowed to gain advantage (i.e. the kick is retaken or the goal is disallowed depending on which team offended). If a player of both the defending and the attacking teams offend, the kick shall be retaken. No player apart from the taker and goalkeeper are allowed in the area before the kick is taken.
15. Throw-Ins
A goal cannot be scored directly from a throw-in.
A throw-in is awarded:
- When the whole of the ball passes over the touch line, either on the ground or in the air
- From the point where it crossed the touch line
- To the opponents of the player who last touched the ball
Throw-in procedure – At the moment of delivering the ball, the thrower:
- Faces the field of play
- Has part of each foot either on the touch line or on the ground outside the touch line
- Uses both hands
- Delivers the ball from behind and over their head
- The throw-in is awarded to the opposing team, if any of these requirements are not carried out
The thrower may not touch the ball again until it has touched another player. If she does, an indirect free kick will be awarded against them. The ball is in play immediately when it enters the field of play.
16. Goal Kicks
Procedure – A player of the defending team kicks the ball from any point within the penalty area. Opponents must remain outside the penalty area and at least 4.5m (5 yards) from where the kick is taken until the ball is in play.
17. Corner Kicks
The opposing players must remain at least 4.5m (5 yards) from the ball until it is in play.
The kicker may not touch the ball again until it has touched another player. If she does, anindirect free kick is awarded against them.
The ball is in play immediately when it enters the field of play.
18. Team / Player Registration
Registration Fee
All players must be members of the DWFA. To acquire membership every player must sign the registration form and pay a registration fee of AED 100. The registration fee is non-refundable and is valid for 1 year, commencing from the start of the first season (i.e. September) and terminating at the end of the second season (i.e. June). This fee is non-refundable irrespective of whether the player withdraws from the league at their discretion or is forced to withdraw. Player registration is open throughout the whole year.
Player Authorisation
At the start of every season, each team has a team list. Only players on the team list are approved and authorised to play matches. Only players that are registered are authorised to play matches. The team that allows for an unauthorised or non-registered player to take the field of play and/or play in a match is automatically deducted 2 points.
Committee Approval
The Committee must approve registration of all players. This takes place in the form of the Committee assessing the players’ ability and allocating the player to a team.
19. League Fees
Specifics
The league fee includes the hiring of the pitch facility and referee fees. This fee is non-refundable irrespective of whether the team withdraws from the league at their discretion or is forced to withdraw.
Payment
The league fee per team is announced at the start of every season. The league fee is paid at the start of every season and the deadline is announced ahead of time. If a team does not pay the league fee by the specified deadline, the team is automatically deducted 2 points each week until the fees are paid.
If this exceeds 8 weeks, the Committee holds the rights to raise the concern with the specific team / school body / sponsor.
The referee is paid at the end of every season by the Committee.
20. Match Fixtures
The match fixtures are determined as soon as the teams are confirmed. Each team plays each other once or twice depending on the set duration of the season. Match Sheet
21. Team Captain
Authority of the Captain
Every captain is the direct liaison between her team / coach / manager and the Committee and has the authority to raise any concerns and advise on the league operation.
Duties of the Captain
- Ensures that her team complies with the Laws of the Game, and the rules and aims of the league.
- Relays all relevant information from the Committee to her team.
- Provides her team with the Laws of the Game, rules and aims of the league and match fixtures.
- Collects the registration fees and league fees from her team and pays it to the Committee.
- Ensures that she or a representative from her team attends the Committee meetings.
- Informs the Committee of any players who are no longer playing for her team and requests for replacements.
- Completes the Match Sheet accurately and ensures it is placed in the match sheet box at the Jebel Ali Centre of Excellence reception desk.
- Ensures that her team plays in a competitive spirit and shows good sportsmanship at all times.
- Informs the Committee if her team is in the position to forfeit a match.
DWFA Disciplinary Points System
1 point per Yellow card
3 points per Red card
Against Teams;
Effective on accumulation of 5 Disciplinary points
5 Disc. pts = 1 point deducted from League total
6 Disc. pts = 2 points deducted
7 Disc. pts = 3 points deducted
8 Disc. pts = 4 points deducted and so on in increments of 3
Against players;
Effective on accumulation of 3 Disciplinary points
3 Disc. Pts = 1 match ban*
4 Disc. Pts = 2 match ban
5 Disc.pts = 3 match ban
7 Disc.pts = banned for rest of season
* If a player is shown 2 yellow cards in 1 match, 1 match ban will apply.
Terms and Conditions:
- The Committee reserves the right to levy further suspensions in cases of misconduct, before and after the game.
- Cards are accumulated and carried through one football season.
- If a player is shown a yellow or red card, the referee must write the reason for the offence on the match sheet.