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THE RULES

CAPTAINS ROLE

As the team captain you are agreeing to the terms and conditions of playing within the Riverside Fives league as set out below. It is the responsibility of the captain to be the primary contact for the team and all players involved.

It is also the duty of the captain to ensure that all players are aware of the rules, by allowing a player to take part in a club’s match, the captain is confirming that a player has been shown these rules and that the player shall abide by them.

1. PLAYER / TEAM REGISTRATION

1.1 All new teams shall be given a Team Registration form prior to their first match night.
1.2 The captain all players have completed the form and handed the sheet to a Riverside Fives representative, or sent the form via email info@riversidefives.co.uk.
1.3 Players can join the team at any point throughout a season. To register the player either give the details to the Riverside Fives representative or submit the details via email to info@riversidefives.co.uk. This must be done before the player participates.
1.4 Players can only represent one team.  On occasion a team may be short of players. They are permitted to ‘borrow’ players if they have the agreement of the Riverside Fives representative, the opposing team and the referee. If this has not been sought after and agreed and the unregistered player plays, the game shall be awarded to the opposing team.
1.5 If a player wishes to transfer to another club, they must first resign from their first club and re-register for the new club using the above procedures.
1.6 It is advised that players consider their own private insurance to cover claims arising from their own injury or that of another player.
1.7 It is the responsibility of the team manager to provide the players contact details where necessary.

2. MATCH FEES

2.1 The team match fee will be £20 per week as determined by Riverside Fives.
2.2 The match fees are payable before the game commences.
2.3 Teams should pay match fees in advance by cash.
2.4 If the full match fee is not received, Riverside Fives shall implement the ‘No Pay – No Result’ procedure.
2.5 To avoid the ‘No pay – No Result’ procedure, the deadline to pay any outstanding match fee arrears is 10pm on the following Friday of your match night.
2.6 If a team is affected by the ‘No Pay – No Result’ procedure they shall have any goals scored removed by the organisers and the result awarded to their opposition.
2.7 Failure to pay fees shall be deemed a breach of competition rules and the organisers reserve the right to remove the team from that competition.
2.8 Any team that leaves the competition with money owed to the league may be banned from sanctioned football by the sanctioning County FA.  Furthermore, outstanding debts may be transferred to an appointed agency.
2.9 Riverside Fives reserve the right to withhold any trophies from teams that have monies owing from debt accrued throughout any season(s).

3. LEAGUE STRUCTURE

3.1. FORMAT

3.1.1 The competition shall be played on a league basis.
3.1.2 The league shall consist of one division containing 8 teams.
3.1.3 Matches shall be played on Monday nights every week.
3.1.4 Teams shall play each other twice over a period of 14 weeks.
3.1.5 Three points shall be awarded for a win and one point for a draw.

3.2. FIXTURES

3.2.1 Fixtures shall be created by Riverside Fives and where possible teams shall be given the full range of fixture times.
3.2.2 Fixtures for the entire season shall be posted on the web site at least 48 hours before the first game of the season.
3.2.3 Once fixtures have been created these shall not be amended or re-arranged unless determined by Riverside Fives if it benefits the organisation of the league.
3.2.4 Fixtures are available via the website www.riversidefives.co.uk

3.3. ABSENT TEAMS & UNFULFILLED FIXTURES

3.3.1 If a team is absent from the league for one week the opposition shall be awarded the game.
3.3.2 The match fee is still payable by the absent team.  This shall still occur even if notice has been given.
3.3.3 Where a team is unable to play a game for 2 weeks during the competition, Riverside Fives reserve the right to remove the team from the competition.
3.3.4 If a team has no opposition as they are absent, to claim the points they must be available to play and have paid the relevant match fee. If this is not the case than they shall be also deemed as absent.
3.3.5 If a team is late by more than 10 minutes or do not have enough players, the game shall be awarded to their opposition.
3.3.6 The match fee is still payable via the team who was unable to fulfil the fixture.

3.4. ABANDONED GAMES

3.4.1 In all cases where Riverside Fives is satisfied that a game has been abandoned through the fault of one of the teams, the match shall be awarded to their opponents.
3.4.2 A maximum of 3 points may be deducted from the total gained by any club found responsible for causing the match to be abandoned as a result of the conduct of its players/officials.
3.4.3 In the event of a game being abandoned through any other extreme cause not provided for above, one point shall be awarded to each team.
3.4.4 Riverside Fives shall review all abandoned matches and in all cases where it is an advantage to the competition, Riverside Fives shall be empowered to order the score at the time of the abandonment to be the result.

3.5. NUMBER OF PLAYERS

3.5.1 The number of players is limited to 5-a-side with a further maximum of 4 substitutes.
3.5.2 The number of players allowed in your actual squad is unlimited, however all players must be registered to your team before they play.
3.5.3 If a team is reduced by 2 players or more either though injury or suspension the game shall be abandoned and awarded to the opposition.

4. PLAYING RULES

4.1. DURATION

4.1.1 All matches consist of 2 halves of 18 minutes.
4.1.2 The half time interval shall be a maximum of 1 minute duration.

4.2. START OF PLAY & BREAKS IN PLAY

4.2.1 At the beginning of the game the choice of ends is decided by the match official
4.2.2 Play may be started by the referee nominating a team to kick off from the centre of the playing field.
4.2.3 The game shall be started in the same manner after a goal has been scored by the conceding team.
4.2.4 After any other stoppage the game shall be re-started by the referee dropping the ball at the nearest point to where the play was suspended.

4.3. OFF SIDE, FREE KICKS & PENALTIES

4.3.1 There is no offside. Players may place themselves in any part of the playing area without any restriction.
4.3.2 A free kick is awarded to the opposition if a player kicks / deflects a ball into the air above head height of the referee.
4.3.3 When a player is taking a free kick, the opposition shall be a minimum distance of 1m from the ball until it is in play.
4.3.4 All free kicks that happen around the penalty area must be a minimum distance of 1m from the goal area.
4.3.5 A penalty kick shall be taken from the penalty mark or from the edge of the area directly in line with the centre of the goal.
4.3.6 No player can enter the area until the penalty kick has been taken.

4.4. SCORING

4.4.1 A goal is scored when the whole ball crosses the goal line between the goal posts and under the cross bar.
4.4.2 A goal cannot be scored via use of the hand by a player of the attacking side, except in the case of a goalkeeper who is within his own goal area.

4.5. GOAL AREAS

4.5.1 Attackers cannot score from inside the opposing goal area.
4.5.2 Attackers and defenders may enter the goal area and play the ball.

4.6. THE GOAL KEEPER

4.6.1 The goal keeper is not allowed out of his goal area.
4.6.3 The goal keeper can stop, save and parry the ball with his feet within the goal area but he must then pick it up. He cannot control the ball and kick it out.
4.6.4 To return the ball within the area the goal keeper must deliver the ball via a throw. The ball must be thrown underarm and under knee height in a horizontal or downward direction.
4.6.5 Penalty for infringements of the above is a free kick to the opposition 1m from the goal area.
4.6.6 A team can only change their goalkeeper once per half.
4.6.7 When the goal keeper makes a save and the ball travels into the air above head height of the referee, the ball is awarded to the goal keeper.
4.6.8 If the goal keeper handles the ball outside his designated area, a penalty to the opposing team shall be awarded.

4.7. PLAYERS EQUIPMENT

4.7.1 All players MUST wear shin pads. This is compulsory and failure to do so  may result in that player being excluded from play.
4.7.2 Footwear is restricted to astro turf boots or trainers. Blades, football studs or moulded studs are not permitted. Failure to wear the appropriate footwear may result in that player being excluded from play.

4.8. SUBSTITUTES

4.8.1 Four (4) substitutes per team shall be permitted during a game.
4.8.2 These substitutes may be pooled from the team’s registered players but must be nominated at the start of the match.
4.8.3 The rules of the competition allow unlimited rolling substitutions.
4.8.4 The conditions for making a substitution are:
• The referee must be informed before a substitution can be made.
• The player leaving the field shall do so from their own goal line.
• The player entering the field must do so from their own goal line but not until the other player has left the field.
4.8.5 Any player may change with the goalkeeper, provided that the referee is informed of the change and it is done so in a stoppage of play.

5. DISCIPLINARY

5.1. MISCONDUCT

5.1.1 Riverside Fives operates its competition under strict guidelines with regards to discipline and misconduct.
5.1.2 If in the opinion of Riverside Fives, the conduct of any club or player brings the competition into disrepute, Riverside Fives reserve the right to report the player  and club to the sanctioning association for disciplinary action in pursuance of rule 25 or any successor provision.
5.1.3 Riverside Fives also reserve the right to prohibit the player or club from taking any further part in Riverside Fives competitions.
5.1.4 During a game the referee may award a yellow or red card depending on the severity of misconduct.

5.2. YELLOW CARDS

5.2.1 If a yellow card is awarded the player shall be temporarily suspended from play.
5.2.2 If a yellow card is awarded the player shall receive a £4 fine.  Failure to pay this will result in suspension for the next game.
5.2.3 During the suspension a player must stay off the field of play behind his own goal, this shall be deemed as the ‘sin bin’.
5.2.4 The referee shall inform the player when the suspension is over.
5.2.5 The period of suspension shall be 5 minutes.
5.2.6 If a player receives 2 yellow cards in the same game he shall not take any further part in the game.

5.3. RED CARDS

5.3.1 If a red card is awarded the offending player shall not be allowed to take further part in the match and shall be suspended from Riverside Fives for a minimum of 1 match.
5.3.2 If a red card is awarded the player shall receive a £10 fine.
5.3.3 There are various red card offences which carry heavier suspensions from the Riverside Fives competition.

MISCONDUCT DEALT WITH BY RIVERSIDE FIVES
- Receiving a 2nd yellow card in the same game. 1 match ban
- Denying an obvious goal scoring opportunity by physical means or by deliberately handling the ball. 1 match ban.
- Use of offensive or insulting or abusive language / gestures, to a match official. 1 match ban.

MISCONDUCT DEALT WITH BY THE SANCTIONING COUNTY FA
All other red card offences shall be dealt with by Riverside Fives and the sanctioning County FA.  

5.3.4  Any suspension awarded by Riverside Fives shall affect this competition only.
5.3.5  Any suspensions awarded by the sanctioning County FA shall affect all football competitions including Riverside Fives.
5.3.6 County FA  suspensions may or may not run at the same time as Riverside Fives suspensions.
5.3.7 Players and officials are reminded that the Rules and Regulations of The FA and the sanctioning County FA allow for fines to be imposed as a result of misconduct.
5.3.8 Players should refer to the rules of The FA for a full explanation of all playing rules.

5.4. SLIDING TACKLES

5.4.1 Please note particularly that charging / sliding tackles are forbidden and shall be penalised by the awarding of a free kick.
5.4.2 Persistent charging / sliding tackles shall result in a yellow card / red card.

6. SANCTION & AFFILIATION

6.1. NAME & DURATION OF THE COMPETITION

6.1.1 The competition shall be called the Riverside Fives league.
6.1.2 The competition shall run between January 18th and May 3rd 2010.

6.2. ORGANISING & SANCTIONING

6.2.1 The competition organiser shall be Riverside Fives, Riverside, South Meadow Lane, Broadgate, Preston, PR1 8JP.
6.2.2 The competition shall be governed in accordance with the Rules and Regulations of The FA and the relevant sanctioning County FA.
6.2.3 Matches shall be played in accordance with the Laws of Small Sided Football as laid down by The FA and set out within these rules/provided alongside them.
6.2.4 The relevant County FA shall sanction the competition.
6.2.5 The competition, all clubs, players and other associated persons shall be subject to the Rules and Regulations of The FA and the County FA.
6.2.6 The County FA shall deal in accordance with breaches of the Laws of the Game/Laws for Small Sided Football and the Rules and Regulations of the Football Association.
6.2.7 The Organiser may amend these rules at any time giving seven days notice via email or letter to the team captain.
6.2.8 A person who is not a referee (as recognised by the Football Association) may carry out the duties of a Match Official in a specific match where a qualified referee cannot be found.

6.3. AFFILIATED TEAMS

6.3.1 Riverside Fives shall affiliate with the sanctioning County FA a number of ‘team slots’ on an annual basis.
6.3..2 The number of ‘team slots’ affiliated shall equate to the number of teams participating in a competition.
6.3.3 Riverside Fives can change the teams participating in a competition but shall always stay within the actual number of ‘team slots’ affiliated to the sanctioning County FA.
6.3.4 Riverside Fives shall make available the contact details of all captains/secretaries of the affiliated teams within a competition, to the sanctioning County FA for disciplinary and affiliation purposes only.

6.4. RIGHT OF APPEAL

6.4.1 Any appeal against a decision of Riverside Fives must be made to the sanctioning County FA in accordance with the appropriate rules of the association.
6.4.2 An appeal fee may also apply.

 

7. PARTICIPATION & LEAVING

7.1. LENGTH OF PARTICIPATION

7.1.1 When a team joins a Riverside Fives league they are committing to the duration of the entire competition.

7.2. LEAVING PROCEDURE

7.2.1 A team can only leave at the end of a season.
7.2.2 To withdraw from the league the team captain MUST give at least two (2) weeks written notice before the end of that current season.
7.2.4 The team can give the written notice to a Riverside Fives representative (via email or post), or send to the club office.

All participants entering into sporting activities do so entirely at their own risk and the organisers, their servants or agents do not accept liability for any personal injury or loss/damage to property howsoever caused.

A copy of these rules shall be given to all participating teams and are binding on the clubs and players taking part. A copy of these rules are available on request from Riverside Fives or via the website www.riversidefives.co.uk