League Rules
1. All normal FIFA rules will apply with the exception of the “Off side” rule. There will be no “Off sides” and teams will play 7 -a-side.
2. All players must be members of the DWFA.
3. All players must wear shin pads and their team strip. The goalkeeper must be in a different strip. In the event that 2 teams have similar coloured strips in a game, the ‘Away’ team according to the DWFA fixtures list is required to wear bibs.
4. Rolling substitutions will be allowed as long as the player being replaced has left the field of play BEFORE the new player is introduced and also that the referee is aware that the substitution is being made.
5. Yellow cards will be given for bookable offences and red cards will be given for serious foul play. Any player sent off must leave the field of play and cannot return. Please see Disciplinary Procedures in DWFA League Aims for further notes on Discipline.
6. In all cases the referee’s decision will be final and no appeals will be entertained under any circumstances. If it is felt by the referees that this has not been adhered to, then the situation will be reviewed by the referees and the DWFA committee; action will be taken against that player or coach.
7. A smaller than regulation size pitch will be used. The goal area will be a 12 yard semi-circle from the centre of the goal. If a penalty is award it will be taken from the “top” of the semi circle in the middle of the goal. When a penalty is awarded all players must be 5 yards behind the ball when the kick is taken.
8. The goalkeeper is allowed out of their semi-circle but cannot handle the ball outside the semi-circle. If the keeper does handle the ball, a direct free kick will be awarded to the opposition.
9. A game will consist of two 25 minute periods with a 5 minute interval.
10. At free kicks the defending players must retreat 5 yards as opposed to the normal 10 yards.
11. The competition will be run on a league basis with 3 points for a win, 1 point for a draw and none for a loss. The highest points total will be the winner. In the event of a tie at the end the following shall be the order of precedence; firstly goal difference, secondly highest number of goals scored, and finally 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.
12. Players and teams are requested to adhere to the stated kick off times. Any team not on the pitch 10 minutes after the specified kick off time shall forfeit the game and a loss of 5:0 will be recorded against the offending team. If the early kick off (i.e. 1930) starts late, it will be timed to finish in time for the late kick off (i.e. 2030).
13. A minimum of 5 players is needed in order to play matches. If the minimum number of players is not met then the match is forfeited and a loss of 5:0 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 5 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 that result stands.
14. It is the responsibility of each team captain to provide their players with a copy of the fixtures list and the rules. It is also the responsibility of each team captain, not the coach, to liaise with the Committee at all times.
15. The league entry fee for September – December is: Pitch fee = Dhs per team; Ref fee = 60 Dhs per game per team; League registration fee: 100 Dhs per person. This money is non refundable irrespective of whether the team/player withdraws from the league themselves or is forced to withdraw. The league entry fee for the season January – May is the same. This fee is also non-refundable. If a team is late in paying the league fees then 2 points are deducted for each week that they are late.
16. No Player is allowed to play for another team, other than their own, even if it is to make up the numbers. No player poaching from other teams in the league is permitted.
17. Players must be registered with DWFA in order to play matches. Registration costs 100 Dhs for the year. This amount is non-refundable. The committee needs to approve registration and this will normally take the form of the committee seeing the new player and assessing their ability before deciding which team they will join. If a team plays a match with an unregistered player then 2 points are deducted from them.
Disciplinary Regulations
If a complaint is made by a referee, or other members of the association, that person/team has persistently refused to comply with aims and rules of the association; then the committee, having allowed the person/team to respond to these claims, may expel or suspend the member/team.
DWFA Disciplinary Points Procedure
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 Red cards are issued, Referees must submit a report on the reason for the Red cards. (eg. 2 yellows, last player, violent conduct, serious foul play etc) If the reason is violent conduct/serious foul play – this will result in a 3 match ban as well as the 3 Disciplinary points.